Anyone know why the USMint issued these 15¢ bags of BU Lincoln Cents?
jesbroken
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I found a bag of these bags of 15¢ BU lincoln cents in the bottom of my safe. Do not remember when or why I bought them. Why did the mint ever sell them? What years did they offer them?
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
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2
Comments
Bar Mitzvah favors?
1973
Maybe they were given to kids visiting the mint?
CW Article: https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/1972-and-1973-penny-bags-offered-by-us-mint-still-collectible.html
Edited to Add:
~ 1972 Mint Press Release: https://www.usmint.gov/learn/history/historical-documents/mint-to-accept-mail-orders-for-1972-penny-bags
~ 1973 Mint Press Release: https://www.usmint.gov/learn/history/historical-documents/mint-announces-sale-of-1973-penny-bags
Because the 1968-on S mint cents were being hoarded, and the mint wanted to make all three mint coins available to collectors.
In 1974 San Francisco sent hoppers of S-mint cents to Denver and Philadelphia, where they would throw a scoop of them into a hopper of P or D-mint coins on its way to the counting and bagging machines. Thus an “original bag” or “original roll” of 1974-p or D cents might be mixed mints.
I have a few bags of those.
I have bags like that dated 1971, 72, and 73. The 1971 cents are in individual bags by Mint, where the 1972 and 1973 bags have 5 coins from each Mint. I am 99% certain these came from unsold or rejected Mint sets, as I have seen coins in the bags with damaged rims from the crimp sealers used to seal the cellophane. Mine were ordered straight from the Mint, the later dates were still in the original boxes, though I believe they were also sold individually in the Mint gift shops.
The coins are actually beautiful and lightly toned, I was tempted to submit a few to our host but never got around to it.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
Shipment to a very small bank?
The Left Bank of Paris, North Dakota!
I remember from the original offering that the coins were packed in the little bags by special needs people. No idea why I recall that but I do.