1996-W Roosie Question???

FatMan

Just received in the mail a 1996-W Roosie PCGS MS67 that I got on eBay. I know that these were only made in the annual mint set.

I just don't know WHY the mint added these to the set. Were they ever intended for circulation? Were they going to be for a special mint program ie: Coin & Currency Set, or were they just bored at West Point and had to fill their time?

I've looked for the past hour for an answer and have not found one yet. So I decided to come where answers flow like the rivers.

smprfi

They were done as a 50th anniversary special.

stujoe

I believe it was a commemorative to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the design. It was never meant to circulate.

I had qualms about including it in my set but I did anyway. Although, more for the W mint mark which goes well with my mint mark set of coins.

FatMan

Thanks

Was the mint set marked as the 50th Anniv of the Roosie and marketed as such or was it just an added surprise?

FC57Coins

John:

The above statements are correct, they were included to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the start of Roosie dime production, but there was also a little marketing evildoing on the part of the mint. Mint sales had been down in the mid 90's for mint sets, so someone go the bright idea of the 96W dime to boost sales, just like in 87 halves were mint set only issues, so the purpose was not merely celebratory - knowhatimeanvern?

Frank

FatMan

Thanks Frank
And yes, I know what you mean.

TheNumish

I wholeheartedly agree with the cigar smoking dog. Same thing with the Botanical set,Kennedy collector set, Jefferson set, Millenium set etc. Just ways for the mint to make some extra money.

nwcs

I have 2 of those mint sets and they do have a special mention of the W marked dime in them.

sinin1

West Point and San Francisco are the locations of the governments strategic stockpile of silver


They must have decided to have the mint become a profit generating operation by having CHUMP colletors buy $1 worth of silver for $30.



I wonder if that is where the coin vault seller got his idea?

cladking

The "W" dime was included in the set as a "freebie". There was no additional
charge for this set. The mint has been trying to get people interested in coin
collecting for several years now and actually have a significant budget for just
this purpose. The "W" dime is said to have been the brainchild of former mint
director Phillip Diehl. He once said that it was intended to reward the loyal long
term mint set buyer. While it certainly accomplished this goal it did little to spur
mint set sales. Mintage was up a little in '96, but was right back down to new
lows in subsequent years. It is ironic that sales of these sets are so very low
when they are essentially the sole source of high grade moderns.

These coins were just added to the '96 set in a small plastic holder and a card
indicating that it was struck to mark the 50th anniversary of the Roosy dime. The
card is thin and folded and the dime was often shipped between the folds. Some
of the dimes were shipped in other places inside this "busy" set and can be sur-
prisingly difficult to locate. When buying the set always be sure the dime is there.
It is much of the value of the set.

These coins come quite well struck for a clad but the really attractive coins still tend
to be elusive. This dime can be found PL with a full strike with essentially no marking.
About the top 4% stand out above the rest and the spectacular coins are found among
these. Prices at the wholesale level has been rather bouyant of late and offers over
$14 are common.

FatMan

Cladking

Thank you for the comprehensive answer. The pool of knowledge on this forum is outstanding.