1982 George Washington Commemorative Half

FullStrike

I just realized something. The GW Commemorative has a tiny mintage in comparison to the new Lincoln Commemorative Cent and also the new 2009 Nickels and Dimes.

In Proof, the mintage is 4,894,044 and in BU the mintage is 2,210,458. Now I'm sure that if I go to my Bank , even given the 27 year time span, these Coins will not be available in any numbers.

Think if I find a few and post them on eBay, they will bring anything? To top off the rarity, these are also 90% Silver.

LindeDad

Interesting you mention these. A few weeks back I was watching a couple of these in PCGS MS69 go unsold on ebay at about 60% of the price guide value.
Wanted to add one to my set but did not have the cash availlbe then. Probably wait till they hit 50%.

KentuckyJ

I've always liked the design. Just for fun, I've had two in PCGS PR 70 DCAM. Bought the first a few years ago and gave it to my brother. Bought another only a few weeks ago at a much more favorable price

WoodenJefferson

It's my understanding that you can't even give these commemoratives away?

I got both the proof and the business struck ones 10 years ago for $5 each and then I thought I paid too much!

Has the worm turned on these?

FullStrike

OK, before I'm absolutely confirmed as the dumbest dum dummy around, I'm comming clean.

I bought a PR69DCAM a few years back at probably $14.00 or so. These are considered as junk but they ARE 90% Silver. They WERE the first commemorative in 28 years and if you ignore the stigma of trashy modern junk, they really are sort of cool looking. And after all, George Washington was our very first President.

If people look down on this "common" piece of &%$#@, how in h*ll, can they get so excited over a copper-plated zinc penny that's more common by a very large factor? FCS the rolls of Lincoln Cents were selling for far more than this 90% Silver Half Dollar. Even the plain 2009 Nickels and Dimes are wanted right now. Both are selling for moonron money on the bay.

Not trying to promote GW Halves. I'm not trying to lose a bunch of money. But what gets me is that the 40,000,000+ 2009 Jefferson is being talked about as if it's rare. Well how about 4,894,044 , or 2,210,458 , aren't those numbers lower than 40,000,000 ?

RichieURich

<< <i>It's my understanding that you can't even give these commemoratives away? >>


Just about. The price on them is so low, and the demand so low, that many dealers just throw them in with the silver melt coins.

FullHorn

I paid $7 for this one a couple of months back. Was it too Much?

TomB

I purchased 40 of these (20 each MS and PF) on the BST last year at just below melt. They even came with the original government packaging.

NumbersUsacom

If they get hyped in the media, look out for a northward tear.
Its an either or situation..... "Hype To the Heights - No Hype just Gripes"

WoodenJefferson

FullStrike, I guess it's still supply vs. demand, the supply is there, just no demand.

This would be a good grass roots experiment coin, say you pick the lower struck business strike version and promote the heck out of it and and sit back and see just what happens.

FullStrike

Obviously this Coin was out way before the internet. My god, how did 4,894,044 Proofs actually get ordered? Way too many. Buyers at the time must have thought they were going to cash in one day. Much like the buyers of our current Cents, Nickels, and Dimes. And those Quarters, too. The ones in the 1,000 Coin bags.




<< <i>I purchased 40 of these (20 each MS and PF) on the BST last year at just below melt. They even came with the original government packaging. >>




Great idea, TomB, think I'll start buying BU Washingtons instead of SAE's. Maybe one day I'll be able to flip em for a profit.

Like when Silver hits $30 / oz.