Commems Collection Classic: Quick Bits #27 - Edge Lettering

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,378
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12251 Posts	Posted 08/02/2021 2:50 pm Answering a question recently about edge lettering on the 2016-W American Silver Eagle ( ASE) coins got me thinking about the same device on US commemorative coins. Two came instantly to mind - one official, one not. Of course, edge lettering has become fairly commonplace on US coins in modern times, with the Presidential, Native American and American Innovation $1 coins all incorporating edge inscriptions to free up design space on each coin's obverse and/or reverse. Edge inscriptions were also integrated onto the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin and the 2017 American Liberty Gold Coin. Regarding US commemorative coins, no coin of the classic series (1892-1954) incorporates edge lettering. Within the modern series, however: The Official Edge-Lettered Coin: The 1992 Olympic Games silver dollar - the one that features a baseball pitcher in the middle of delivering a pitch (aka, the "Nolan Ryan dollar") - features a reeded edge that also includes "XXV Olympiad" imprinted four times around the coin. If you'd like to learn more about the Nolan Ryan connection to the coin, check out: - Looking Back at the 1992 "Nolan Ryan" Dollar The Unofficial Edge-Lettered Coin: A relatively small group of the 1993 James Madison/Bill of Rights commemorative half dollar incorporates partial edge lettering. A portion of each coin's reeded edge was shaved away by a third-party and then had the initials of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation ("JMMFF") and the American Numismatic Association ("A N A") added along with a unique serial number (~10,000 coins were produced/numbered/available for sale). It's quite an interesting story and you can read it here: - 1993 American Numismatic Association (A N A) - James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation (JMMFF) Freedom Pack Have I forgotten about any other modern US commemorative coins with edge inscriptions? If I have, please post below! FYI: Edge lettering/inscriptions on coins is certainly not limited to US coins. While I don't specifically collect such coins, I do have a few from Canada, France, Greece, Switzerland and the UK in my collection. For more of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, check out: Read More: Commems Collection. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Edited by commems 08/02/2021 2:50 pm Report this Post to the Staff

jbuck Moderator United States 187544 Posts	Posted 08/02/2021 4:21 pm Very interesting! Edge lettering on the commemorative issues does not bother me... What really grinds my gears is having the date and mint mark (only) on the edge. Worst. Idea. Ever. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
carlp007 Valued Member United States 473 Posts	Posted 08/03/2021 12:36 am So, I took out my 1992 proof commemorative. I could not see it. Is it on the proof or UNC and how big is it. Could you post a picture of it. Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12251 Posts	Posted 08/03/2021 06:56 am Quote: So, I took out my 1992 proof commemorative. I could not see it. Is it on the proof or UNC... The edge-lettering is found on the uncirculated version of the coin, struck at the Denver Mint. It was not included on the proof version struck in San Francisco. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
CelticKnot Bedrock of the Community United States 12808 Posts	Posted 08/03/2021 09:56 am Quote: Edge lettering on the commemorative issues does not bother me... What really grinds my gears is having the date and mint mark (only) on the edge. Worst. Idea. Ever. Report this Post to the Staff
carlp007 Valued Member United States 473 Posts	Posted 08/03/2021 10:03 am Thanks commems, looks like I will be getting an UNC version. Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12251 Posts	Posted 08/03/2021 4:46 pm Quote: ...looks like I will be getting an UNC version. Excellent! Let us know what you think when you get it! Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
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