Air Force medal
Coinfolio
Posts: 261 ✭✭✭
Anybody buying the Air Force medal that the mint is putting out today? Looks pretty cool.
0
Coinfolio
Posts: 261 ✭✭✭
Comments
Not me.
no thanks
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AIR FORCE TRIVIA:
The Air Force tracks Santa.
On December 24, 1955, a newspaper ad told kids they could call Santa at an included phone number. The number listed is called the U.S. Air Defense Command. The colonel on duty ordered his team to give all kids Santa’s “current location.” This tradition now handles calls from over 200 countries.
The Air Force shares its birthday with the CIA.
Both were founded on September 18, 1947.
It used to be in the Army.
On August 1, 1907, the U.S. Army Signal Corps formed the Aeronautical Division, which later evolved into the U.S. Army Air Force. The National Defense Act of 1947 created an independent Air Force.
An Airman first broke the sound barrier.
In 1947, then-Air Force Capt. Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in his Bell X-1 rocket-powered aircraft, kicking off a race of pilots who competed to do the next big thing, eventually leading to outer space and a man on the moon.
Airmen welcome their new commander by stomping on their roofs.
A “roof stomp” is an Air Force tradition where airmen welcome a new commander or celebrate a special occasion by climbing up on the commander’s roof and making noise while others are banging on the windows and doors. Kind of like an episode of “The Walking Dead” but without the zombies.
They built a supercomputer out of Sony Playstations.
The Air Force Research Lab built a supercomputer, the Condor Cluster, to analyze H.D. satellite imagery. The supercomputer is made up entirely of 1760 Playstation 3’s. It’s the 33rd most powerful computer in the world.
It looks like they’re watching Terminator 2. Appropriate.
Airmen get hairier every spring.
Every year, Airmen participate in a Mustache March, a tradition where airmen grow mustaches throughout March to honor USAF legend, WWII and Vietnam veteran, and triple ace Brig. Gen. Robin Olds.
An Ace isn’t just a good pilot. They’re the best combat pilots.
An “ace” is a pilot who has shot down five or more enemy aircraft. The top jet ace in USAF history is Joseph C. McConnell, a “Triple ace” who shot down 16 MiG fighters during the Korean War over four months, bagging three on his last combat mission. His record still stands.
Airmen respect North Dakota.
At the height of the Cold War, North Dakota was home to so many USAF nuclear weapons that if it seceded from the Union, it would have been the third largest nuclear power in the world.
Some Airmen took the “Live in Fame” part of the Air Force song to heart.
Johnny Cash, George Carlin, Willie Nelson, Morgan Freeman, Hunter S. Thompson, and James Stewart were just a few Airmen celebrities. Stewart flew missions in World War II and Vietnam and rose to the rank of Brigadier General while still working in Hollywood.
Chuck Norris was a member
While Chuck Norris was stationed in Korea, he realized he wasn’t physically able to do his job as an Air Policeman (now called Security Forces) and developed an interest in martial arts. This is also where he earned the nickname Chuck.
The Air Force boasts two Presidents.
Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush served as airmen. Reagan served in WWII when the branch was still the Army Air Forces. Bush served in the Texas Air National Guard before transferring to the A.F. Reserve during the Vietnam era.
“Air Force One” isn’t a plane.
It’s not Nelly’s shoes, either.
It’s the radio call name for any A.F. plane carrying the President of the United States. The same as the Marine helicopter carrying POTUS is Marine One.
Their F-117 fighter uses aerodynamics discovered from the bumblebee flight.
Their weathermen are special forces.
They go through Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, Air Force Basic Survival School, Air Force Water Survival Training, Air Force Underwater Egress Training, Combat Control School at Pope Field, North Carolina, and Special Tactics Training at Hurlbert Field. They work primarily with Air Force and Army Special Operations Forces but can also be attached to Marine MARSOC and Navy SEAL teams.
The Air Force is the only branch fighting the Soviet Union.
The U.S. and the Soviet Union fought one pitched battle — a dogfight during WWII over the Serbian town of Niš. The outcome wasn’t clear, and both governments classified details of the incident.
The Air Force has an official band.
They do more than Souza marches; they drop singles and shoot music videos.
peacockcoins
As a former member of the military (Navy), I would love to have these medals. They are pretty sharp and would be a special collection for me. But the price tag on these is absolutely ridiculous and I refuse to pay that much premium for them. It's a shame (and a sham) but I'll have to pass.
Iplan on trying to collect all the 2.5 oz medals and 1 oz medals too. The price is concerning for me too. However, i want to collect all the medals. I real like the CG the best. Next up is the 1 oz CG. each to their own.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
Got the 2 1/2 oz USMC, USN, AND USCG medals but missed the 2 1/2 oz USAF.
did order a 1oz USAF. Hope it doesn't feel slighted.
@Glen2022 Don't be concerned with USAF, they have their stuck in the wild blue yonder, LOL I retired from the USAF so i need to make fn them. Have you ever seen the "Thunder Chickens" (Thunder Birds) They are really great and almost as good as the "Blue Angels". I spent 12 years in the USN too. Watch BST, that is where I got my 2 1/2 oz USCG medal. I love these, have the 1st 4 and the 1 OZ USAF.. HAPPY HUNTING
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
I have them graded pcgs 70 fdoi and fs. Pm if your interested
Thank you for your service.
Yes, I have seen both the "Thunder Chickens" and "Blue Angels." Won"t offer an opinion as to which is the better (both are outstanding). Not that concerned about not having 2 1/2 USAF, as I did get the 1oz. If see a good price, might get it. Gave a 1 oz USAF to my uncle who was in the AF in the 50's. He teared up when he saw it
I retired from the USCG. 1967-1993, active and reserve. Some of the best times of my life.
Why did you leave the USN? Get seasick?
It’s amazing how there is nearly zero interest in these on eBay or anywhere. Everyone I talk to about them agrees. I think I’m going to cancel my enrollment
My personal belief is that most people who volunteered for the service had a relatively good experience. If they obtain a medal, they may want to keep it (perhaps forever) as a momento and thus the supply available for sale will be reduced which might decrease any hype/discussion about the medals. I also think the price on the 2 1/2 oz medals is/was excessive but the 10K mintage limit may keep the price up on those. As of 9/11, the net sales demand for the 1 oz USAF medal is 14,256 which seems pretty low. Don't know how many are available. Will the mint continue sales after 12/31/22 for unsold medals? Sorry if I am rambling.
@Glen2022 I left the USN on a Thursday and enlisted in the USAF on Friday. I started OTS (Officer training School) On Monday. I retired as an O3E (Captain) in 1993. Basically I doubled my retirement Pay and was able to take my family overseas with me to England.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
Great move. During my time, met a few who left USN to go to USCG and a couple of ex army guys. Don't recall any USAF or USMC guys who switched or any CG guys who switched services. I also retired as a Captain, but 0-6 in CG.
Did you know that in time of peace the USCG is presently part of the Dept. of Homeland Security? Used to be in Dept of Transportation, and before that, the Dept of Treasury. In time of war, the USCG becomes part of the USN. That is because the USN then needs help (ha ha). CG drove most of the D-Day landing craft.
Adjusted net demand through 9/18 is 14,551, only increased by about 300 since 9/11. Doesn't seem like many are selling.
In my opinion there are 2 factors going against this: 1) It is not a coin, but a medal and, 2) Cost.
In my opinion if you like the item buy it if you don't pass. To a lot of veterans the metal is more important than the price. I'll probably give one away when I can find someone that served in that service. Nobody ever said coin collecting was cheap.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
As of 9/25, only 14,557, a change of only +6 in two weeks. Looks like they will be available for a long time. Since these medals have no date, will the mint sell them in 2023 and beyond?
I'd buy one today if they would be more reasonable on the price.
Pm sent. I have them to sell
The max I would pay is the price for a Morgan. It is only one ounce of silver (currently $20.49) so $35.00, max. When they come down to that I'll get one of each branch.
@Histman Good luck hunting for one at $35. I wish the silver Eagles were just over the spot price of silver too, but that just ain't going to happen from the Mint or maybe anywhere else too. Happy hunting
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
Agreed
I can find Morgans for 35 in several places. I'll never buy the military medals at three times spot to start. Overpriced just like everything else they sell. Not buying Silver Eagles for similar reasons. Would rather save the premium and buy rounds. Believe me, I'm not hunting for the medals. In ten years when they come back to reality, somebody will sell them for that price.
I agree some aspects of collecting aren't cheap. I have spent my share. However, I served my country at the end of the Cold War in the Navy and would love to have all of the medals, but the importance of serving to me is exactly why I don't buy them. The mint is trying to make a killing on the backs of vets and I don't like it. For those that don't mind paying the price for the coins, have at it. I'll be here in ten years (maybe, I'm getting older) ready to buy when the premiums come down where they belong.
@hitsman Understand, I still buy from the mint, but have started decreasing the number and I'm more selective in what i buy also. I was in the last part os VN and served with an A6 squadron on the USS America at the time. Thanks for serving our country, I know the pay was awful, but the rewards were worth it back then. Thanks again for your service mate.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
Same to you. Military family history goes as far back as I can trace it. I just carried on the tradition.