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2 thoughts after doing a USMint sponsored survey tonight
Bochiman
Posts: 25,790 ✭✭✭✭✭
I was asked to do a survey for the USMint, through a 3rd party agency, tonight.
10 of us were selected (from a sample size of what, I don't know).
1) Coin collectors ARE WEIRD!!!! These folks were "more different" than even those of you I have seen/run into at coin shows/in person!
2) The USMint, whoever is coming up with ideas, is not that bright, is grabbing at money, and doesn't do a thorough job of thinking things through.
Things on the survey list....that I can remember, in no particular order:
* Change all "American Eagle" packaging to be the same packaging (ie....single source....only difference would be wording/inserts). This is for Silver, Gold, and Platinum
* A 2016 Mt Rushmore Annv Collector's Set. New packaging, old coins (Ie...previously released presidential (the 4 on Rushmore) dollars. NOTHING special about them...pulled from whatever inventory they have already). NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THE SET other than the packaging. NOT EVEN anything precious metal about it.
* A potential set of 225th USmint Anniversary coins....up to 3 years and 5 different sets (different combinations of the following). 2017, 2018, 2019. 1/2c, large cent combo (copper...proposed $40-$50/2-coin set). 1/2 disme (dime) in 1/20oz silver. A medal in bronze. A 1/2c + 1/2 disme combo.
* Adding a bronze Mt Rushmore medal to existing proof sets for next year and calling it a different SKU (nothing different about the coins in the proof set....exact same as normal SKU)
* Opinions on current AE packaging.
* Opinions on types of strike/finish (RP, EU, PR, Unc, High Relief)
* Opinions on potential change for AE packaging (see first bullet)
* Opinions on special set packages (think: style of 2011 SAE Annv set, Kennedy gold commem coin, 50th annv Kennedy 4 coin set, and a few others)
I thought it was interesting that they wanted to price the 2 coin options ~$40-$50....even the 2 coin copper set of 1793 1/2c and large cent combo.....I wonder (mintages aside as an argument) who would buy this for $40+????
2 hours, $100 compensation. Gave my opinions. All good.
Interesting in that, of the 10 of us, 1 was all about the precious metal coins and cared about value, a few were all about aesthetics, and I was the only one that cared about both collecting and some flipping (ie...."would you buy this proposed set? Why or why not? "I don't like it, but I will buy some if I think there is enough buzz to flip it"")
Only 1 person mentioned grading/PCGS (the one concerned about value I mentioned). Most didn't like the packaging being too big/bulky (I brought that up and most agreed).
2 went gaga over anything National Park related (something supposedly coming out, National Park related, maybe next year...aside from the Mt Rushmore bit) as both had worked for the national parks service (one as a ranger) as some time...and both were old (likely 60+).
Not sure if others (this is going on in multiple cities the guy said, as he is traveling around doing it) on these forums have done this, but it was interesting.
I, first, received an email from the USMint asking if I would be interested in seeing if I were qualified. Then I was contacted by the local survey firm. Then (they didn't do things well/right in putting the info down correctly) I was contacted 3 more times asking if I was interested (they had 2 sessions in Seattle).
Nothing else I can really add to the above info as it was pretty clean and all I can remember is listed above.
10 of us were selected (from a sample size of what, I don't know).
1) Coin collectors ARE WEIRD!!!! These folks were "more different" than even those of you I have seen/run into at coin shows/in person!
2) The USMint, whoever is coming up with ideas, is not that bright, is grabbing at money, and doesn't do a thorough job of thinking things through.
Things on the survey list....that I can remember, in no particular order:
* Change all "American Eagle" packaging to be the same packaging (ie....single source....only difference would be wording/inserts). This is for Silver, Gold, and Platinum
* A 2016 Mt Rushmore Annv Collector's Set. New packaging, old coins (Ie...previously released presidential (the 4 on Rushmore) dollars. NOTHING special about them...pulled from whatever inventory they have already). NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THE SET other than the packaging. NOT EVEN anything precious metal about it.
* A potential set of 225th USmint Anniversary coins....up to 3 years and 5 different sets (different combinations of the following). 2017, 2018, 2019. 1/2c, large cent combo (copper...proposed $40-$50/2-coin set). 1/2 disme (dime) in 1/20oz silver. A medal in bronze. A 1/2c + 1/2 disme combo.
* Adding a bronze Mt Rushmore medal to existing proof sets for next year and calling it a different SKU (nothing different about the coins in the proof set....exact same as normal SKU)
* Opinions on current AE packaging.
* Opinions on types of strike/finish (RP, EU, PR, Unc, High Relief)
* Opinions on potential change for AE packaging (see first bullet)
* Opinions on special set packages (think: style of 2011 SAE Annv set, Kennedy gold commem coin, 50th annv Kennedy 4 coin set, and a few others)
I thought it was interesting that they wanted to price the 2 coin options ~$40-$50....even the 2 coin copper set of 1793 1/2c and large cent combo.....I wonder (mintages aside as an argument) who would buy this for $40+????
2 hours, $100 compensation. Gave my opinions. All good.
Interesting in that, of the 10 of us, 1 was all about the precious metal coins and cared about value, a few were all about aesthetics, and I was the only one that cared about both collecting and some flipping (ie...."would you buy this proposed set? Why or why not? "I don't like it, but I will buy some if I think there is enough buzz to flip it"")
Only 1 person mentioned grading/PCGS (the one concerned about value I mentioned). Most didn't like the packaging being too big/bulky (I brought that up and most agreed).
2 went gaga over anything National Park related (something supposedly coming out, National Park related, maybe next year...aside from the Mt Rushmore bit) as both had worked for the national parks service (one as a ranger) as some time...and both were old (likely 60+).
Not sure if others (this is going on in multiple cities the guy said, as he is traveling around doing it) on these forums have done this, but it was interesting.
I, first, received an email from the USMint asking if I would be interested in seeing if I were qualified. Then I was contacted by the local survey firm. Then (they didn't do things well/right in putting the info down correctly) I was contacted 3 more times asking if I was interested (they had 2 sessions in Seattle).
Nothing else I can really add to the above info as it was pretty clean and all I can remember is listed above.
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
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Box of 20
<< <i>* A 2016 Mt Rushmore Annv Collector's Set. New packaging, old coins (Ie...previously released presidential (the 4 on Rushmore) dollars. NOTHING special about them...pulled from whatever inventory they have already). NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THE SET other than the packaging. NOT EVEN anything precious metal about it. >>
This has already been done. I have one:
I bought it when I finished my 1 5/16" presidential medal set...
<< <i>Sounds like he was talking about Presidential dollars rather than Presidential medals, though they could make an eight-piece set with those four medals plus four dollars. >>
Ah, you're right. And here I was hoping the old Mt. Rushmore pres medal set would increase in value to more than say, $2.50...
mbogoman
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/classic-issues-colonials-through-1964/zambezi-collection-trade-dollars/7345Asesabi Lutho
1) We are weird
2) So are they.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>Sounds like he was talking about Presidential dollars rather than Presidential medals, though they could make an eight-piece set with those four medals plus four dollars. >>
Yes...I didn't know they had already done the medals (doesn't interest me so I didn't buy one or know to look for it) but that was the "8pc set" I think they thought about. I know they mentioned that nothing new, coin/medal, would be made for the set. They are really trying to get money without adding real value, imho.
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
<< <i>Seems like an awful lot of focus on the packaging... >>
Yep....one thing I forgot was that, for the 225th annv of the mint sets proposed, they are contemplating some "old time" packaging (to me, the quick rendition shown then put away was something like a wooden coin cabinet or something similar......think bulky, heavier than most of the packaging, and adding to cost...and that most probably wouldn't display anyway). For some reason, that was shown and put away, all in about 15-20 seconds, and never mentioned again during that part of the session.
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