<< <i>Is the Mint killing the Silver Eagle Series? >>
They are watering them down, but only because they are giving modern collectors what they want (more to collect) just as the TPGs are giving label collectors what they want. Hopefully equilibrium will eventually be reached.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
<< <i>Grandam - I didn't dump on anything. I don't bash moderns. I like most moderns except for dollars, which are all butt ugly to me. I have a right to that.
Yes, I have Roosevelts in my Complete dime sets......BECAUSE....they are dimes!!!!!!
I just get upset when I see ASE's called coins. Because they ARE NOT COINS. This has been discussed before, but no matter what kind of silly loope-hole you want to bring up.....ASE's are not coins!!! They never circulated. They never were intended to circulate. They are JUST BULLION that the mint came up with to sell to people who will buy it. >>
Not trying to start anything here because I've been sick of all this crap since November, but I've read through all these posts and out of all of the "ASEs are not coins" you never say why, or give a definition of "coin". According to any definition of a coin I've ever read, an ASE is a coin. Webster Whether you like to collect it or not is up to you, but I don't think it's up to you to re-define the word. A coin is a (usually round) piece of metal that can be used as currency. Nowhere does anyone say it has to be circulated. In many places I could trade or use an ASE as at least a dollar, or in most cases, melt value of silver. That makes it currency, and that makes it a coin. And LOTS of people collect them. Period. If you hate them so much, what's the point of even wasting the effort to be so passionately negative about them?
People will still collect variant coins from the Mint. What introducing new, unexpected, and unwelcome variants does do is kill set collecting. Collectors collecting the first few years of a series may not be very happy about collecting a new "special" finish made just for them. The mustardy Roman gold proofs of a hundred years ago were poor sellers (and though high-priced, not very liquid today), I take a MS67 business strike over a perfect satin finish state quarter, and at auctions I've attended nobody cared to bid about special finish golden dollar coins that one could barely discern from the normal lot.
IMO the silver eagle doesn't need a "high-relief" strike; that was the point of Mercanti's touch-up of Weinman's original design. So unlike the St. Gaudens a HR/piedfort of the ASE would be of no artistic merit.
Salute the automobile: The greatest anti-pollution device in human history! (Just think of city streets clogged with a hundred thousand horses each generating 15 lbs of manure every day...)
<< <i>Grandam - I didn't dump on anything. I don't bash moderns. I like most moderns except for dollars, which are all butt ugly to me. I have a right to that.
Yes, I have Roosevelts in my Complete dime sets......BECAUSE....they are dimes!!!!!!
I just get upset when I see ASE's called coins. Because they ARE NOT COINS. This has been discussed before, but no matter what kind of silly loope-hole you want to bring up.....ASE's are not coins!!! They never circulated. They never were intended to circulate. They are JUST BULLION that the mint came up with to sell to people who will buy it. >>
Not trying to start anything here because I've been sick of all this crap since November, but I've read through all these posts and out of all of the "ASEs are not coins" you never say why, or give a definition of "coin". According to any definition of a coin I've ever read, an ASE is a coin. Webster Whether you like to collect it or not is up to you, but I don't think it's up to you to re-define the word. A coin is a (usually round) piece of metal that can be used as currency. Nowhere does anyone say it has to be circulated. In many places I could trade or use an ASE as at least a dollar, or in most cases, melt value of silver. That makes it currency, and that makes it a coin. And LOTS of people collect them. Period. If you hate them so much, what's the point of even wasting the effort to be so passionately negative about them? >>
Comma, I agree completely with your issues with the definition of "coin", but you don't understand the actual purpose of this board. It's meant to cause discord amongst the members and attempt to improve the standing of one's own area of interest by impugning those of the others.
There was a time when all the mint issued was the lowly proof sets years ago..and the Morgan Dollar was King..Now the mint is pushing out trash and the TPG's are making a fortune labeling all this junk..And what is the result.???..We are fighting amongst ourselves over a new Coin to de-thrown the King.There is room for a second Kingdom of coins in the Modern Era..if we can't agree on this then there is someting wrong...Bring back a basic grade label on the slabs and stop all the BS.....JMHO.....
<< <i>>>>There are a lot of different Morgan dollars. That doesn't seem to deter the collectors or investors... <<<
Please don't mention ASE's in the same breath as a real U.S. coin that "collectors" collect! >>
Let us not be snobby to what others collect
Question for you Dimeman, Do the modern 'Silver Eagles' have a "face value"? Do the modern "Silver Eagles" have all the required mottos of US coinage, (In God We Trust, E Pluribus Unum and United States of America)? If yes to all of the above, then why are they not real US coins that "collectors" collect!
<< <i>Grandam - I didn't dump on anything. I don't bash moderns. I like most moderns except for dollars, which are all butt ugly to me. I have a right to that.
Yes, I have Roosevelts in my Complete dime sets......BECAUSE....they are dimes!!!!!!
I just get upset when I see ASE's called coins. Because they ARE NOT COINS. This has been discussed before, but no matter what kind of silly loope-hole you want to bring up.....ASE's are not coins!!! They never circulated. They never were intended to circulate. They are JUST BULLION that the mint came up with to sell to people who will buy it. >>
Not trying to start anything here because I've been sick of all this crap since November, but I've read through all these posts and out of all of the "ASEs are not coins" you never say why, or give a definition of "coin". According to any definition of a coin I've ever read, an ASE is a coin. Webster Whether you like to collect it or not is up to you, but I don't think it's up to you to re-define the word. A coin is a (usually round) piece of metal that can be used as currency. Nowhere does anyone say it has to be circulated. In many places I could trade or use an ASE as at least a dollar, or in most cases, melt value of silver. That makes it currency, and that makes it a coin. And LOTS of people collect them. Period. If you hate them so much, what's the point of even wasting the effort to be so passionately negative about them? >>
Comma, I agree completely with your issues with the definition of "coin", but you don't understand the actual purpose of this board. It's meant to cause discord amongst the members and attempt to improve the standing of one's own area of interest by impugning those of the others.
Just wanted to clear that up. >>
I'm starting to see that more and more unfortunately...
<< <i>There was a time when all the mint issued was the lowly proof sets years ago..and the Morgan Dollar was King..Now the mint is pushing out trash and the TPG's are making a fortune labeling all this junk..And what is the result.???..We are fighting amongst ourselves over a new Coin to de-thrown the King.There is room for a second Kingdom of coins in the Modern Era..if we can't agree on this then there is someting wrong...Bring back a basic grade label on the slabs and stop all the BS.....JMHO..... >>
<< <i>I really think an Ultra High relief needs to be in the mix. Really need to set these coins apart Then end the series and start a new one >>
That would be great.I'd love to see a UHR SAE then to keep my fantasy going replace the current walking liberty image with the standing liberty image.I can always dream cant I??
It's just that, the collectibles with the best long-term records in the past in terms of continued interest and value are those that were made for some daily life purpose, were heavily used, suffered attrition, and later discovered by collectors, who then search them out "in the wild" and value rarity, condition, originality, provenance, etc.
Those items that were Made to Order for Collectors™ have rarely fared as well over time, because the issuer simply cannot resist oversupplying the market.
The examples are too many to count, of original items that were very neat to collect originally, and still are, but their Made to Order for Collectors™ counterparts suffered popped bubbles. Stamps, sportscards, comics, and toys are the tip of the iceberg, there are also just about everything from the Franklin mint, see also collector plates, knives, spoons, cups, thimbles, figurines, etc etc.
I thought that was the subject of the OP. No one denies they're beautiful, perfect coins, or that it can be fun and profitable to own and participate in the market, especially for the Rare "chase issue" that marketers of Made to Order for Collectors™ items put out to spur demand for the whole product line.
But there may come a day (coins, being actual money, and ASEs in particular, being silver, this time could be different, so also maybe not) but there may come a day, when there are millions more of these coins, all BU and PF, and silver is back down in price (yeah, I know, but a silver decline seemed impossible in late 1979, too) and many of the collectors may decide not to continue and/or get out, and these oh so hot items may be quite a bit cooler and demand, and thus values, far lower.
Personally, my favorite coins are 200 years old and nearly smooth from circulation wear, and so each is unique and has served many many people in commerce over many years. Something minted a few months ago that shares an appearance and history with 99,999 others does very little for me. Like I said earlier, not putting anyone down for collecting ASEs, just explaining a minority opinion like the OP asked. Sorry if it bothers anyone.
My definition would be "any coin that can legally be used to settle debt, both private and public." >>
change the verb phrase from "can be used" to "intended to be and actually have seen widespread use" and I'll agree completely. >>
This statement kinda eliminates the Morgan and Peace Dollars since a dollar coin has never ever seen widespread use.
<< <i>They don't circulate, and all (or almost all) go directly from the dies (possibly indirectly via profit taking middlemen) into collections and vaults and slabs and "the market", suffering attrition only intentionally or by neglect, but not by use in commerce, and any varieties are pretty much intentionally created with the collector, not commerce, in mind. >>
Again, this is exactly what occured with the Morgan and Peace Dollars except they were stored in bags for storage in big vaults.
I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.
<< <i>I like American Silver Eagles and will not delve into the coin vs. real coin vs. not coin argument. I do collect them.
I think that when you combine the increasing number of coins with the proliferation of coin labeling options, we may enter the situation whereby the whole system collapses upon itself, like I witnessed in baseball cards in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Then again, maybe people have the appetite and interest for an ever growing and ultimately infinite number of combinations in coin product and labels, and I will be proven wrong. >>
It has been my observation, and Baley will tell you I have been known to be wrong, that experienced collectors collect quality and rare coins while newer collectors collect quality and rare labels. The TPGs see a label market and have successfully pursued it. In fact, in most cases they helped create the market. >>
No argument here.
I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.
BTW, I'm very proud of my Dansco ASE set. I've purchased multiples of each one since November 1986 and I'll continue to purchase whatever the US Mint produces for ASE's until either the program dies or I die.
Classic or not, Coin or not, thats just what collectors do. It may not make any sense to some people but then ot doesn't have to. As long as it makes sense to me.
I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.
I used to be an all out Silver Eagle Collector. I had a complete NGC Registry 70 Set (minus the 1995 W and 1993-only had 69 versions) of the proofs which I sold last year. I decided to still collect these but only in specialized areas like the 20 and 25th Annivrsary Sets. I still have two NGC 69 Bullion ASE Sets from 1986-2005, though I will not update this set. I still have two Reverse 2007 ASEs that I bought directly from the mint. Sold threee of them for $500 a few years ago. I am still deciding whether to continue buying the W and now the new S minted coins in 2012. I will need them to complete a short set. Still have 26 sets sealed, 2 NGC and 1 PCGS 70 sets of the 25th Anniversary. I did not fall out of love of these coins because of the oversaturation of mint offerings of this series. Still have a place for them in my pernamnet modern collection.
I don't know if the mint makes a reverse proof every year whether it will be good or bad for the anniversary sets. If they manage to sell at least 300K yearly, that may be the only saving grace for the 25th Anniversary Set. I also thing the regular proof version will go way down in mintages also. Maybe a split between the reverse and regular proofs. I think it may be time for the mint to end the series and go out on a good note rather than a bad one. I do believe oversaturation will kill the series. Maybe no so on the bullion versions, but very much so on the collector mint versions.
I think they should do an obverse mint mark version in 2016.
Now there's an idea that actually makes sense! I'd buy those, if they made them with D and S mint marks. OTOH, I think it's absurd to pay a premium for a San Francisco (or any other coin) with NO mint mark that is undistinguishable from others once removed from their holders.
<< <i> I think they should do an obverse mint mark version in 2016.
Now there's an idea that actually makes sense! I'd buy those, if they made them with D and S mint marks. OTOH, I think it's absurd to pay a premium for a San Francisco (or any other coin) with NO mint mark that is undistinguishable from others once removed from their holders.
Jim >>
If you buy the NGC "14 pack", you get 14 indistinguishable coins with 14 different label options. At least PCGS has kept it to a more modest 4 options.
<< <i> I think they should do an obverse mint mark version in 2016.
Now there's an idea that actually makes sense! I'd buy those, if they made them with D and S mint marks. OTOH, I think it's absurd to pay a premium for a San Francisco (or any other coin) with NO mint mark that is undistinguishable from others once removed from their holders.
Jim >>
If you buy the NGC "14 pack", you get 14 indistinguishable coins with 14 different label options. At least PCGS has kept it to a more modest 4 options. >>
<< <i>The dilution will continue until people just say no. JUST SAY NO >>
I don't understand why folks continue to think that the US Mint is killing the series. Are they still that pissed off about the 5 per HH limit on a 100,000 mintage set? sounds like it to me since adding varieties to a coin series has always made them more interesting.
It seems to me, as mentioned earlier, that the dilution is in all the different slab types and designations. I've got a box of 20 that all have different label or slab types. It's not too bad buying a burnished SAE, a bullion SAE and a Proof SAE every year. It gets bad when you believe that you have to have a bullion First Strike™, a regular bullion, an (S) bullion, an (S) bullion First Strike™ anbd then perhaps a Mercanti (S)! Different coins? Nope. Just different slabs.
That......gets expensive and diluted.
I'd like to see an annual 2 or 3 coin set. A RP and a Burnished S Mint or perhaps a RP along with a Burnished S and Burnished W. The collection then would start to get interesting.
I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.
Amazing.. what a tempest in a teapot. Collect what you like, and like what you collect. To hades with what anyone else thinks. I won't p*ss on your collection if you will not p*ss on mine. Cheers, RickO
Comments
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
<< <i>Is the Mint killing the Silver Eagle Series? >>
They are watering them down, but only because they are giving modern collectors what they want (more to collect) just as the TPGs are giving label collectors what they want. Hopefully equilibrium will eventually be reached.
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
<< <i>Grandam - I didn't dump on anything. I don't bash moderns. I like most moderns except for dollars, which are all butt ugly to me. I have a right to that.
Yes, I have Roosevelts in my Complete dime sets......BECAUSE....they are dimes!!!!!!
I just get upset when I see ASE's called coins. Because they ARE NOT COINS. This has been discussed before, but no matter what kind of silly loope-hole you want to bring up.....ASE's are not coins!!! They never circulated. They never were intended to circulate. They are JUST BULLION that the mint came up with to sell to people who will buy it. >>
Not trying to start anything here because I've been sick of all this crap since November, but I've read through all these posts and out of all of the "ASEs are not coins" you never say why, or give a definition of "coin". According to any definition of a coin I've ever read, an ASE is a coin. Webster Whether you like to collect it or not is up to you, but I don't think it's up to you to re-define the word.
A coin is a (usually round) piece of metal that can be used as currency. Nowhere does anyone say it has to be circulated. In many places I could trade or use an ASE as at least a dollar, or in most cases, melt value of silver. That makes it currency, and that makes it a coin. And LOTS of people collect them. Period. If you hate them so much, what's the point of even wasting the effort to be so passionately negative about them?
IMO the silver eagle doesn't need a "high-relief" strike; that was the point of Mercanti's touch-up of Weinman's original design. So unlike the St. Gaudens a HR/piedfort of the ASE would be of no artistic merit.
(Just think of city streets clogged with a hundred thousand horses each generating 15 lbs of manure every day...)
<< <i>
<< <i>Grandam - I didn't dump on anything. I don't bash moderns. I like most moderns except for dollars, which are all butt ugly to me. I have a right to that.
Yes, I have Roosevelts in my Complete dime sets......BECAUSE....they are dimes!!!!!!
I just get upset when I see ASE's called coins. Because they ARE NOT COINS. This has been discussed before, but no matter what kind of silly loope-hole you want to bring up.....ASE's are not coins!!! They never circulated. They never were intended to circulate. They are JUST BULLION that the mint came up with to sell to people who will buy it. >>
Not trying to start anything here because I've been sick of all this crap since November, but I've read through all these posts and out of all of the "ASEs are not coins" you never say why, or give a definition of "coin". According to any definition of a coin I've ever read, an ASE is a coin. Webster Whether you like to collect it or not is up to you, but I don't think it's up to you to re-define the word.
A coin is a (usually round) piece of metal that can be used as currency. Nowhere does anyone say it has to be circulated. In many places I could trade or use an ASE as at least a dollar, or in most cases, melt value of silver. That makes it currency, and that makes it a coin. And LOTS of people collect them. Period. If you hate them so much, what's the point of even wasting the effort to be so passionately negative about them? >>
Comma, I agree completely with your issues with the definition of "coin", but you don't understand the actual purpose of this board. It's meant to cause discord amongst the members and attempt to improve the standing of one's own area of interest by impugning those of the others.
Just wanted to clear that up.
I strongly feel that the mint is doing the collecting body a lot of damage by coming out with all these different dollar coins and the tpg's are also
hurting us by all the different labels they are coming up with.
How can we possibly keep up with all this garbage they are throwing at us?
I know for one that I am not even going to try.
<< <i>>>>There are a lot of different Morgan dollars. That doesn't seem to deter the collectors or investors... <<<
Please don't mention ASE's in the same breath as a real U.S. coin that "collectors" collect! >>
Let us not be snobby to what others collect
Question for you Dimeman, Do the modern 'Silver Eagles' have a "face value"? Do the modern "Silver Eagles" have all the required mottos of US coinage, (In God We Trust, E Pluribus Unum and United States of America)? If yes to all of the above, then why are they not real US coins that "collectors" collect!
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Grandam - I didn't dump on anything. I don't bash moderns. I like most moderns except for dollars, which are all butt ugly to me. I have a right to that.
Yes, I have Roosevelts in my Complete dime sets......BECAUSE....they are dimes!!!!!!
I just get upset when I see ASE's called coins. Because they ARE NOT COINS. This has been discussed before, but no matter what kind of silly loope-hole you want to bring up.....ASE's are not coins!!! They never circulated. They never were intended to circulate. They are JUST BULLION that the mint came up with to sell to people who will buy it. >>
Not trying to start anything here because I've been sick of all this crap since November, but I've read through all these posts and out of all of the "ASEs are not coins" you never say why, or give a definition of "coin". According to any definition of a coin I've ever read, an ASE is a coin. Webster Whether you like to collect it or not is up to you, but I don't think it's up to you to re-define the word.
A coin is a (usually round) piece of metal that can be used as currency. Nowhere does anyone say it has to be circulated. In many places I could trade or use an ASE as at least a dollar, or in most cases, melt value of silver. That makes it currency, and that makes it a coin. And LOTS of people collect them. Period. If you hate them so much, what's the point of even wasting the effort to be so passionately negative about them? >>
Comma, I agree completely with your issues with the definition of "coin", but you don't understand the actual purpose of this board. It's meant to cause discord amongst the members and attempt to improve the standing of one's own area of interest by impugning those of the others.
Just wanted to clear that up. >>
I'm starting to see that more and more unfortunately...
<< <i>There was a time when all the mint issued was the lowly proof sets years ago..and the Morgan Dollar was King..Now the mint is pushing out trash and the TPG's are making a fortune labeling all this junk..And what is the result.???..We are fighting amongst ourselves over a new Coin to de-thrown the King.There is room for a second Kingdom of coins in the Modern Era..if we can't agree on this then there is someting wrong...Bring back a basic grade label on the slabs and stop all the BS.....JMHO..... >>
You have my vote!!!!
<< <i>I really think an Ultra High relief needs to be in the mix. Really need to set these coins apart
That would be great.I'd love to see a UHR SAE then to keep my fantasy going replace the current walking liberty image with the standing liberty image.I can always dream cant I??
It's just that, the collectibles with the best long-term records in the past in terms of continued interest and value are those that were made for some daily life purpose, were heavily used, suffered attrition, and later discovered by collectors, who then search them out "in the wild" and value rarity, condition, originality, provenance, etc.
Those items that were Made to Order for Collectors™ have rarely fared as well over time, because the issuer simply cannot resist oversupplying the market.
The examples are too many to count, of original items that were very neat to collect originally, and still are, but their Made to Order for Collectors™ counterparts suffered popped bubbles. Stamps, sportscards, comics, and toys are the tip of the iceberg, there are also just about everything from the Franklin mint, see also collector plates, knives, spoons, cups, thimbles, figurines, etc etc.
I thought that was the subject of the OP. No one denies they're beautiful, perfect coins, or that it can be fun and profitable to own and participate in the market, especially for the Rare "chase issue" that marketers of Made to Order for Collectors™ items put out to spur demand for the whole product line.
But there may come a day (coins, being actual money, and ASEs in particular, being silver, this time could be different, so also maybe not) but there may come a day, when there are millions more of these coins, all BU and PF, and silver is back down in price (yeah, I know, but a silver decline seemed impossible in late 1979, too) and many of the collectors may decide not to continue and/or get out, and these oh so hot items may be quite a bit cooler and demand, and thus values, far lower.
Personally, my favorite coins are 200 years old and nearly smooth from circulation wear, and so each is unique and has served many many people in commerce over many years. Something minted a few months ago that shares an appearance and history with 99,999 others does very little for me. Like I said earlier, not putting anyone down for collecting ASEs, just explaining a minority opinion like the OP asked. Sorry if it bothers anyone.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
<< <i>
<< <i>What makes a coin a "real" coin?
My definition would be "any coin that can legally be used to settle debt, both private and public." >>
change the verb phrase from "can be used" to "intended to be and actually have seen widespread use" and I'll agree completely. >>
This statement kinda eliminates the Morgan and Peace Dollars since a dollar coin has never ever seen widespread use.
<< <i>They don't circulate, and all (or almost all) go directly from the dies (possibly indirectly via profit taking middlemen) into collections and vaults and slabs and "the market", suffering attrition only intentionally or by neglect, but not by use in commerce, and any varieties are pretty much intentionally created with the collector, not commerce, in mind. >>
Again, this is exactly what occured with the Morgan and Peace Dollars except they were stored in bags for storage in big vaults.
The name is LEE!
<< <i>
<< <i>I like American Silver Eagles and will not delve into the coin vs. real coin vs. not coin argument. I do collect them.
I think that when you combine the increasing number of coins with the proliferation of coin labeling options, we may enter the situation whereby the whole system collapses upon itself, like I witnessed in baseball cards in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Then again, maybe people have the appetite and interest for an ever growing and ultimately infinite number of combinations in coin product and labels, and I will be proven wrong. >>
It has been my observation, and Baley will tell you I have been known to be wrong, that experienced collectors collect quality and rare coins while newer collectors collect quality and rare labels. The TPGs see a label market and have successfully pursued it. In fact, in most cases they helped create the market. >>
No argument here.
The name is LEE!
Classic or not, Coin or not, thats just what collectors do. It may not make any sense to some people but then ot doesn't have to. As long as it makes sense to me.
The name is LEE!
Box of 20
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
Box of 20
Now there's an idea that actually makes sense! I'd buy those, if they made them with D and S mint marks. OTOH, I think it's absurd to pay a premium for a San Francisco (or any other coin) with NO mint mark that is undistinguishable from others once removed from their holders.
Jim
<< <i> I think they should do an obverse mint mark version in 2016.
Now there's an idea that actually makes sense! I'd buy those, if they made them with D and S mint marks. OTOH, I think it's absurd to pay a premium for a San Francisco (or any other coin) with NO mint mark that is undistinguishable from others once removed from their holders.
Jim >>
If you buy the NGC "14 pack", you get 14 indistinguishable coins with 14 different label options. At least PCGS has kept it to a more modest 4 options.
<< <i>So much for the "special" RP every 5 years >>
this was from a survey, where the Mint was 'asking' if they should.
I said NO. Hopefully they will be listening.
<< <i>
<< <i> I think they should do an obverse mint mark version in 2016.
Now there's an idea that actually makes sense! I'd buy those, if they made them with D and S mint marks. OTOH, I think it's absurd to pay a premium for a San Francisco (or any other coin) with NO mint mark that is undistinguishable from others once removed from their holders.
Jim >>
If you buy the NGC "14 pack", you get 14 indistinguishable coins with 14 different label options. At least PCGS has kept it to a more modest 4 options. >>
I makes it hard for J6pac to keep up..!!...
Might be hard to mint, but really neat to own, since they never made a high relief Walker
Ike Specialist
Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986
<< <i>The dilution will continue until people just say no. JUST SAY NO
I don't understand why folks continue to think that the US Mint is killing the series.
Are they still that pissed off about the 5 per HH limit on a 100,000 mintage set? sounds like it to me since adding varieties to a coin series has always made them more interesting.
It seems to me, as mentioned earlier, that the dilution is in all the different slab types and designations. I've got a box of 20 that all have different label or slab types. It's not too bad buying a burnished SAE, a bullion SAE and a Proof SAE every year. It gets bad when you believe that you have to have a bullion First Strike™, a regular bullion, an (S) bullion, an (S) bullion First Strike™ anbd then perhaps a Mercanti (S)! Different coins? Nope. Just different slabs.
That......gets expensive and diluted.
I'd like to see an annual 2 or 3 coin set. A RP and a Burnished S Mint or perhaps a RP along with a Burnished S and Burnished W. The collection then would start to get interesting.
The name is LEE!