| Author |
 Replies: 37 / Views: 3,613 |
|
Bedrock of the Community
 United States
25626 Posts |
I believe that the government's decision to close the San Francisco Mint will be based partly on cost versus profit. Collectible coins are a small part of the overall number of coins produced every year. The government may decide that the profit on these specialty coins is not worth the cost of continuing to run the facility.
But I also believe that San Francisco property value will play a role in the final decision. San Francisco property value is among the highest in the country and new homes are around $1 million. The mint is on ten acres of land and is surrounded by hills. People in California love living in the hills so you can double that $1 million for a hillside home.
So the question is, how many $2 million homes could be built on ten acres of hillside property? That's why I believe the mint will eventually be sold.
How will this affect us? Well. the minting of these specialty coins will have to find a new home. The cost of this transition will be pasted on to the buyer. How long will this transition take? Will there be a gap in production? Will some coins be deleted? What do you all think?
|
|
|
|
Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
If they close it, shifting NCLT stuff to West Point seems to me the logical choice. I would hate to put all that work on Philly again. If the SFCA branch closes, maybe the value will skyrocket for my 2018 Reverse Proof Set—celebrating the San Francisco Mint's 50th anniversary of making proof sets. I am glad I kept that one intact.  |
|
Bedrock of the Community
 United States
25626 Posts |
You may have a winner with that proof set, jbuck.  If the presses and other equipment at the SF Mint are still in good condition they will all have to be transported back east and set up again. This cost will be passed on to the consumers. With this additional cost and the rising price of silver I wonder what the ASE Silver Proof will eventually sell for? My American Silver Eagle collection http://goccf.com/t/448125My random silver coin collection http://goccf.com/t/449270 |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
25626 Posts |
We all know how slow the government moves sometimes but they're not really moving slow on this cost cutting thing they're on. And, as I've said, I'm sure the mint will be closed. My concern is whether or not there will be a gap in production of the ASE Silver Proofs. You know how I feel about my ASEs. |
|
Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
I doubt there will be a gap. Hopefully the benefit will be not having twenty different ASE varieties minted every year.  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
There is absolutely no way the Mint location would be demolished, or even repurposed for homes.
If this Mint closes, production would simply be moved to other facilities and they'd likely be able to handle the load without having to bother with pennies and with decreased demand for other products. You won't see any impact on the value of existing pieces since they're already on the market, S-products are pretty much limited to distinct releases in the first place, and, unlike some output from defunct Mints from the past, there's no noticeable difference in the quality of the product. Any market movement would be due to changes in metal value or renewed interest in the design/theme.
Closing the Mint would just be another ledger item in the government budget. There would be a greater impact on the local economy, but that's about it.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
1962 Posts |
Alpha2814: I'm an on-line subscriber to the S.F. Chronicle and haven't seen anything re: the possibility of the Mint closing down. Have you seen anything in the local media ? Thanks.
" Even a clock that's stopped is right twice a day. "
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
I haven't seen any news since the initial speculation back in March, and even that didn't register a blip in the local news coverage. There's been chatter on this board (and the PCGS forum) since subscriptions to several S-mint products are ending this year, but that doesn't mean the Mint is closing -- it could be just a shift in marketing/product lines.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1653 Posts |
There's no logical reason to close it.
That doesn't mean it won't be closed.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10484 Posts |
There hasn't been anything mentioned about the possibility of the SF mint closing since earlier this year.
There have been US mints that have closed throughout US history and the hobby has gotten along just fine with out them.
|
|
Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
There have been US mints that have closed throughout US history and the hobby has gotten along just fine with out them. To be fair, those were closed before the modern NCLT era. The San Francisco mint became the launchpad for it in 1968, so it deserves more sentiment. However, you are correct. The hobby will adapt and get along just fine. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1913 Posts |
They can close the San Francisco mint and shift production to West Point without missing a beat. With all of the advances in transportation since it was first opened, it doesn't make must sense to manufacture in such a high real estate and labor cost area. I'd welcome -W minted proof sets.
|
|
Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
I'd welcome -W minted proof sets. They do sound kinda cool, do they not?  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6458 Posts |
Quote:
If they close it, shifting NCLT stuff to West Point seems to me the logical choice.  Given the ease of moving both raw materials and finished products, they could probably set it up anywhere that can supply cheap infrastructure and skilled labor. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
25626 Posts |
The American Eagle series can go to West Point and the annual uncirculated coin sets and commemorative coins can go to Denver where they are already being produced.
Would the Silver Proof Sets go to West Point or Denver?
My American Silver Eagle collection http://goccf.com/t/448125My random silver coin collection http://goccf.com/t/449270 |
|
Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
Would the Silver Proof Sets go to West Point or Denver? In my opinion, West Point. Minting them in Denver would be weird and prone to mistakes. We do not need the confusion of D mint marks being clad or silver, uncirculated or proof. Of course, the error fiends would love to find silver business strike D coins in circulation. |
| |
Replies: 37 / Views: 3,613 |
Posted 09/10/2025 12:03 pm
