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I still enjoy collecting but ....

BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,556 ✭✭✭✭✭
When I got back into collecting in 2002 (when my son was born), I started out slow, then got caught up in things from the USMint.



I bought the SHQ/Stamp crossovers. I bought the mint/proof sets. I bought the SHQs by themselves (ie...in bags sometimes and in the yearly group, without the other denominations). I bought silver and clad. I bought the JFKs and the golden dollar coins. I bought many other items from the USMint.



I enjoyed them for a bit, but then I found that they would cancel some of the series before completion, and I felt left out to dry.

I also found they added new items in what seemed an arbitrary way (and not that cheap by the time you add it all up). And, I largely stayed out of Gold/Platinum items.





Now, I find myself not rushing to buy the USMint mint/proof sets. I will likely buy a mint set and a silver proof set, but not the 2-4 that I used to, and not the clad proof set. They have just been raising prices too much and I have stopped handing the "extras" out as gifts.



Looking online at the USMint upcoming products, and available products, right now, I don't see much to really tempt me.



Yeah, I'll get the edge lettered SAEs, but that doesn't excite me as much right now either. If they did it on a half dollar, I would like it.

And, I'll probably get the 25c gold quarter throwback (1916-2016), and hope it excites me more than the gold merc did (I was going to keep one or 2 of those, but was so underwhelmed when I saw them, that I sold them).



I imagine I am not alone in my (non-dealer/collector only) thoughts of the USMint right now.....right?



I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment

Comments

  • TheDukeKTheDukeK Posts: 359 ✭✭✭
    You are not alone I am sure.
    I fear this is a growing problem.
    Can anyone here without looking up anything list all of the US Mint products sold last year.
  • kiyotekiyote Posts: 5,588 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm a modern guy and even I get really frustrated with the mint. Coming out with "S" mint uncirculated ATB quarters for example--
    Fine, more for the specialist to collect but why did they come out 2 years into the program?! Same with reverse proof presidential dollars and satin finish state quarters.
    "I'll split the atom! I am the fifth dimension! I am the eighth wonder of the world!" -Gef the talking mongoose.
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,757 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I am the same way.

    I never was a big mint set fan, but I kept up with them from the late '60s until the '90s. When I became a dealer I sold them all, usually at a loss, for amounts under the issue prices.

    I have long admired Proof sets and used to collect both the clad and silver sets. Three or four years ago I got tired of losing money on almost all of them. I have continued to collect the annual silver sets, but I gave up on the clad coins. I sold all of my clad "American the Beautiful" sets, but I did keep the State Quarters ... at least for now.

    At the the silver sets have 90% silver coins in them, which will always be worth something. Some of the sets from the '70s and '80s are barely worth face value. I marvel at how cheap they are when I auction them off at our monthly club sales.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • dbtunrdbtunr Posts: 614 ✭✭✭
    I think when they issue the football, soccer, and basketball coins, they will be as successful as the baseball coin and reinvigorate the market.
  • silverpopsilverpop Posts: 6,733 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I never buy things from the mint myself as I have no need for such items ,I'm happy gathering up pocket change and such for my collection

    coins for sale at link below
    https://photos.app.goo.gl/3QuUzMTeSMsQXrpg8

  • GritsManGritsMan Posts: 2,599 ✭✭✭
    I have been astonished at the dramatic price collapse of the modern commemorative coins. If that isn't an indication of a disappearing market, I don't know what is. Proof and mint sets I bought as a young collector are worth less than what I paid for them back then!

    On the other hand, it's interesting to me that the modern bullion gold eagles have such strength. I've watched prices creep up steadily over the years (especially in the 1/2-ounce denomination), and maybe that's a lesson to the mint: Focus on beautifully-designed, basic series instead of using a shotgun approach, hoping to score with this novelty and that. For instance, if the Mint had kept releasing fractional buffaloes, my guess is that they would have quite a following by now.

    Personally, I love the 5-ounce ATB series and feel it's the kind of thing that will attract a real collector base over the long term.

    Meanwhile, I think they should keep paring down their offerings of Mint and Proof sets until they've just got a couple of solid products to offer.
    Winner of the Coveted Devil Award June 8th, 2010
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I still enjoy collecting but ....

    the USMint has started burning me out




    it is not the fault of the US Mint and we are not victims.
  • Jackthecat1Jackthecat1 Posts: 1,122 ✭✭✭
    It just goes to show that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Collectors in 1936 would have needed to purchase 34 commemorative half dollars to stay current, not to mention a brand new proof set at the princely price of $1.89.
    Member ANS, ANA, GSNA, TNC



    image
  • chumleychumley Posts: 2,305 ✭✭✭✭
    the only thing I still purchase is the silver proof sets,I have 175 or so non silver proof and mint sets and nobody wants them
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I never understood buying anything that's specifically "made for collectors"



    In any field of antiques, the most important pieces were made be used, and are rather accidental survivors.

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I don't buy the mint crap and NEVER will......it's just junky ugly stuff that nobody wants....including me!
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I purchased the mint, proof and silver sets for years....finally realized they were simply not worth it. They are in a box in storage. Cheers, RickO
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    RickO, it takes some of us longer than others to realize one important FACT: the overwhelming majority of Mint Products, if liked, are best bought in the after-market where prices are lower.



    something that is a windfall for the Mint and a waste of money for a collector --- a Mint subscription.
  • mariner67mariner67 Posts: 2,746 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: keets
    I still enjoy collecting but ....
    the USMint has started burning me out


    it is not the fault of the US Mint and we are not victims.


    Well said Keets.
    Successful trades/buys/sells with gdavis70, adriana, wondercoin, Weiss, nibanny, IrishMike, commoncents05, pf70collector, kyleknap, barefootjuan, coindeuce, WhiteTornado, Nefprollc, ajw, JamesM, PCcoins, slinc, coindudeonebay,beernuts, and many more
  • oih82w8oih82w8 Posts: 12,546 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There are those who feel that the U.S. Mint has not put a decent quality product in many years...and you can count me among them.
    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
  • CoinspongeCoinsponge Posts: 3,927 ✭✭✭
    Finding a modern buffalo nickel in my got me reactivated in collecting in 2005. I bought a big chunk of the 2005 ms and proof sets off of ebay thinking these would be a no brainer for appreciation. Well, not realizing they made a butt load of them proved me wrong. It was my first lesson.
    Gold and silver are valuable but wisdom is priceless.
  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,706 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: keets
    I still enjoy collecting but ....
    the USMint has started burning me out


    it is not the fault of the US Mint and we are not victims.


    image
  • CoinspongeCoinsponge Posts: 3,927 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: oih82w8
    There are those who feel that the U.S. Mint has not put a decent quality product in many years...and you can count me among them.



    Not even the UHR gold coin? I think that one was a real winner for the mint.

    Gold and silver are valuable but wisdom is priceless.
  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,706 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: Baley
    I never understood buying anything that's specifically "made for collectors"

    In any field of antiques, the most important pieces were made be used, and are rather accidental survivors.


    100% agree! image
  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,706 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: Coinsponge
    Originally posted by: oih82w8
    There are those who feel that the U.S. Mint has not put a decent quality product in many years...and you can count me among them.



    Not even the UHR gold coin? I think that one was a real winner for the mint.



    image
    And the Platinum. image
  • C0INB0YC0INB0Y Posts: 627 ✭✭
    Originally posted by: Bochiman I imagine I am not alone in my (non-dealer/collector only) thoughts of the USMint right now.....right?





    Bingo, Bochiman ! image



    I was ‘COINB0Y' with 4812 posts and ‘Expert Collector’ ranking (Joined in 2006).
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,552 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Crack 'em all out or cut them out of their packages. Put them in Taco Bell napkins, or Dansco, Whitman, Harris, or a number of other albums... and give them a few years. They look better that way.



    Every week I buy "estate" coins that are multiple dates of Proof and Mint Sets. It always makes me think, "WHY" ? These could be toned out to the max, by now.





    On that note, I'll just pipe down and buy a couple of Silver Medals with Liberty as the theme in .999 silver, with a household limit of 2 in about 30 minutes. image
  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,718 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: asheland

    Originally posted by: Baley

    I never understood buying anything that's specifically "made for collectors"



    In any field of antiques, the most important pieces were made be used, and are rather accidental survivors.




    100% agree! image




    I also agree.



    I have never been a fan of nor have I purchased mint bullion coins and commems.



    I have always liked the classics (Walkers, SLQs, SLHs, CBHs and Morgans) and always will.



    What the mint does will not influence my collecting habits.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • DBSTrader2DBSTrader2 Posts: 3,498 ✭✭✭✭
    I agree with most everyone posting on this thread. I started collecting in blue Whitman folders many decades ago, and never really progressed beyond them to buying Mint products.

    There are/were 2 exceptions to that rule.............

    (1) Proof sets:
    When I was very young, my grandparents started buying me a mint/proof set each year. After they passed, I didn't continue with the series. However, when my 2 sons were born, my parents started to buy each of them a (clad, usually) proof set each year. After a while, I took up the mantle, and continued buying them each a set every year up until 2011. During that timeframe, when the opportunity came along to pick some up at reasonable prices to fill-in some holes in our collections, I also tried to complete both my own set from my birth-year thru to 1982, as well as fill in the missing sets for the runs for my boys since they were born - - and even extend their runs back to 1983, where my own set left off. (That arbitrary date cut-off had something to do with availability of 2 sets for the boys starting with the 1983 date). But, pretty as the sets were, as prices climbed recently even for the common clad junk, I realized they were a losing proposition & what would be a PITA for the boys to drag around in life. So 2011 was the last year I bought Proof sets.......

    (2) Mint sets (to keep our collections current):
    Collecting the state/territory/ATB quarters (& rolls), JFK halves, Sac/NA/Prez $'s used to be a lot more fun when I could look forward to getting rolls from the bank with each release - - some to save as rolls & some to break open to fill holes in our folders & swap "P-for-D" with fellow collectors to fill more holes. My fascination with the hobby has always been how beautiful older coins were, as well as a piece of history. My catchphrase has always been "they don't make these anymore", especially when discussing IHC's, buffalo's, mercuries, walkers, Morgan/Peace, etc. I wanted my legacy to my boys to be a piece of history handed down to them & then their kids, etc. It was never the money aspect itself. So I've always felt the need/responsibility to continue filling holes every year to keep things up-to-date. While I could still find decent "P" mint examples (and trade for "D" needs) over time each year from the bank or pocket change, I found myself getting out less and less to come across them in change, and, with my failing eyesight, a had a lot of trouble looking at smaller dates on cents & dimes. It was easier to swap for or buy what I needed to fill holes in our collection with nice examples. But I also found myself having to buy or trade more & more to get non-circulating "collector" coins available only in Mint sets (i.e. JFK halves & NA/Prez dollars). I really dislike this requirement, especially when those coins were widely promoted initially by the Mint as a way to develop a new generation of collectors. I remember so many of my kids & their friends trying to complete their State Quarter folders & maps. But suddenly, the Mint decided they would no longer distribute individual coins or rolls. They could only be bought at a high mark-up from the Mint. Now I don't mind paying a premium for silver-content coins or collectible dates, but I do have a problem with premiums on what I consider to be mass-produced "junk" clad coinage. If certain denominations are no longer going to circulate, they should just stop minting them once and for all. Otherwise, continue to make them available to all at face. But, until then, this is the only reason I continue to indirectly seek Mint sets anymore. I'd rather spend the same amount of money each year on nice, historical coins like Walkers, Morgans, & Peace coins for my kids instead.....


    - - Dave
  • GoldminersGoldminers Posts: 4,326 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The Mint has started burning me out too. Mostly with these 5 minute sellouts, when they are supposed to serve the people who want to try to actually collect coins without having to pay quadruple markups to get them after the fact. Also, do I really need to have a proof eagle, a burnished eagle, a reverse eagle, and an uncirculated eagle of the same date and then lets add 3 different mints to the mix as well? Do we even really still need three Mints is another question. I don't really see a shortage of pocket change as tons of it sits in tin cans, and bottles and eventually just gets tossed into a Coin Star machine.

    Maybe if they quit minting multiple billions of pennies and nickels at a loss every year, they would have money to pay better engravers and do more interesting pieces to collect, instead of so many versions of the same thing.
  • GoldminersGoldminers Posts: 4,326 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Why not do something completely different with actual circulated coins to instill interest in collecting again at a price point that people can afford and don't have to wait on the internet for 5 minutes to get them. I think the US had 46 gold medals in the last Olympics in Rio. Why not instead of minting approximately 500,000,000 nickels at Philly and Denver like they seem to do every year, mint 10,000,000 of each of the athletes and their sports where people could then collect them in change the old fashioned way. Or do the same with all the 3,400 Medal of Honor winners. You could do 1,000,000 of each on the penny and all kinds of people would get into looking for them.

    Or let's go all in for the younger generation, and put Pokémon creatures on them in limited numbers, and see if we can catch them all. LOL
  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 23,224 ✭✭✭✭✭
    When dealing with the Mint, you must take the same steps as in dealing with any addiction.

    First, you must get out of denial and recognize that there is a problem.

    I wish I could market stuff with a guaranteed minimum 35% markup.
    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • CoinZipCoinZip Posts: 3,253 ✭✭✭
    What would we be collecting if there was no US Mint?

    Coin Club Benefit auctions ..... View the Lots

  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: CoinZip

    What would we be collecting if there was no US Mint? [anymore]




    Old coins that actually circulated.

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • brg5658brg5658 Posts: 2,399 ✭✭✭✭✭
    No one is holding a gun to your head making you buy their garbage.



    Not sure I understand what the continued US-Mint-crap-peddling has to do with burn-out.
    -Brandon
    -~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
    My sets: [280+ horse coins] :: [France Sowers] :: [Colorful world copper] :: [Beautiful world coins]
    -~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-

  • DollarAfterDollarDollarAfterDollar Posts: 3,215 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Almost without exception you can buy the same things offered by the mint on E-Bay at a lower price.





    Why, just why?
    If you do what you always did, you get what you always got.
  • BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,556 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: CoinZip

    What would we be collecting if there was no US Mint?




    I think you are taking it off to an extreme that no one else had; nor needs to.



    What many collect are coins that circulated. There are some proof sets/mint set coins as well (I'm thinking IHCs and other coins).



    However, the USMint has, speaking for myself, taken things to an extreme in what they produce to sell, imho.



    If you read my original post, I reference "collectibles" that the USMint created solely for the purpose of selling online/at their kiosks. Not made to circulate at all. And, then they cancel these before they have run their course. I mention the Statehood Quarter/Stamp combos. They never did complete that run. I made the mistake to buy them. Thought they were kind of cool. Too bad I can never complete the SHQ series with them, because the mint didn't think things out well and ended up canceling them.



    I also did know enough to think things out well enough.....I bought into the hype early and bought them.





    So, the whole "what would people collect if there were no USMint?" is kind of a BS thing to say. There IS a USMint and there WILL BE a USMint. They just don't have to manufacture things solely to sell and not think them out.

    And, "we" don't have to blindly buy them.



    They have a job to do, and some of what they do is cool. They just don't seem to have a knowledgeable marketing team nor people that fully understand the market they are selling to.

    Making money off limited mintages doesn't mean you know your market. Could very easily be proof you don't know your market as you left a lot of it untapped.

    I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment

  • Bob1951Bob1951 Posts: 268 ✭✭
    I buy the mint sets on the after market to use in my BU sets. They are usually cost much less then the mint sells them for if you wait awhile. You just need patience smoetimes. Just remember that any clad mint set or proof set is available at all times at reasonable prices. There is no need to rush to buy them just to be the first to have one. The mints attitude used to be that they are here to serve the public-not collectors-now it seems the other way around.



    If they do not need a coin in commerce, why should it be in a mint set? For instance the late date half dollars? Why mint them for collectors only? Guess I am a purist. In my mind a mint set should be just that - a mint set,- Uncirculated coins that were also struck to be used in commerce. And for that matter mint sets should have no special surfaces or finishes. Sorry if this offends anyone-I'm just old school on this issue.



    Let them do what they want-they will anyways. You don't have to buy everything that comes out.





    Bob
  • JedPlanchetJedPlanchet Posts: 908 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: kiyote
    I'm a modern guy and even I get really frustrated with the mint. Coming out with "S" mint uncirculated ATB quarters for example--
    Fine, more for the specialist to collect but why did they come out 2 years into the program?! Same with reverse proof presidential dollars and satin finish state quarters.


    I agree - the lack of consistency and planning by the Mint is very discouraging
    Whatever you are, be a good one. ---- Abraham Lincoln
  • hchcoinhchcoin Posts: 4,836 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The U.S. Mint burned me out about 1985 image
  • GritsManGritsMan Posts: 2,599 ✭✭✭
    Hard to argue with a lot of the angst expressed here. The Mint could do a much better job in many areas. Then again, they do put out some wonderful coins, too. I really enjoy a lot of the ATB quarter designs, especially in the five-ounce size where I can really see the design. The Native American coin designs have also by and large been terrific. And the baseball coins were a lot of fun, and looked cool, too.

    They also have not gone nearly as wacky as many other mints in the schlock they produce (think Perth Mint and Royal Canadian Mint). It will be a relief, though, when the Presidential/Spouse series end, freeing up some energy for a more thoughtful approach to releases. And I agree with many here that I hope they move toward more beautiful coins instead of the current parade of coins that pander to particular interests.
    Winner of the Coveted Devil Award June 8th, 2010
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,720 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: GritsMan

    Hard to argue with a lot of the angst expressed here. The Mint could do a much better job in many areas. Then again, they do put out some wonderful coins, too. I really enjoy a lot of the ATB quarter designs, especially in the five-ounce size where I can really see the design. The Native American coin designs have also by and large been terrific. And the baseball coins were a lot of fun, and looked cool, too.



    They also have not gone nearly as wacky as many other mints in the schlock they produce (think Perth Mint and Royal Canadian Mint). It will be a relief, though, when the Presidential/Spouse series end, freeing up some energy for a more thoughtful approach to releases. And I agree with many here that I hope they move toward more beautiful coins instead of the current parade of coins that pander to particular interests.




    I just ignore the mint products I don't like. Truth to tell I rarely even buy the ones I do like from the mint but rather on the aftermarket. I've even bought a few I don't like since other people doand it's this demand that creates markets.



    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • brg5658brg5658 Posts: 2,399 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I am by no means defending the US Mint -- but this is yet another complaint thread.



    I don't see many suggestions for what people think the US Mint could do to make them excited to buy their products again.



    I haven't purchased anything from the US Mint in over a decade. I might consider it if they would issue something that was classically designed, higher relief than a stack of 3 sheets of paper, and with a design that wasn't cartoonish and devoid of all artistic merit. And, I'm not talking about a gold slug like the 2009 UHR -- I mean something that doesn't cost me $1200 at issue.



    I think the frustration with the US Mint is sometimes also misplaced anger and frustration at the unscrupulous dealers who are out to make a buck (flipping, etc.; think back to the gold Kennedy shenanigans).
    -Brandon
    -~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
    My sets: [280+ horse coins] :: [France Sowers] :: [Colorful world copper] :: [Beautiful world coins]
    -~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-

  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,720 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: brg5658





    I don't see many suggestions for what people think the US Mint could do to make them excited to buy their products again.





    There may be only one thing and that is to make coins an economically important product again in everyday transactions. This won't happen until the penny is eliminated and Congress lacks the courage to act. The mint can simply announce that there are already far too many pennies in commerce since transactions can be rounded to the nearest nickel so they will stop production at the end of the month.



    If Congress wants to keep the penny then they should act.



    Once people see how convenient it is to have a $1 coin they just might clamor for a $2 and even a $5.



    Then Congress can get busy at work turning the $5 coins into worthless trinkets.



    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.

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