Do You Own Any Gold Commemorative Arts Medals?

philographer · December 5, 2021 6:07PM

I'm curious if any forumites collect the gold Commemorative Arts Medals from the 1980-1984 years? These seem to be relatively unloved bullion. It seems that many may have been melted over the years. The early versions do not state their metallic composition (e.g. one ounce gold). It seems that John Steinbeck and Helen Hayes are the low mintage issues.

Do you own any?

For those on the buy / sell side, when these come into coin shops, are they often in original mint packaging and in nice condition...or have they been treated like bullion over the years?

tincup · December 5, 2021 6:26PM

I've always liked them. No telling how many have been melted over the years.

WillieBoyd2 · December 5, 2021 6:27PM

I bought this one in 1981 for $340.

American Arts Commemorative Series one oz. gold medal - Mark Twain 1981

The medal came in a small black box with a green Certificate of Authenticity.

To purchase the medal, I had to telephone a special number to get the price, then purchase a US postal money order, and mail it the same day.

Much more recently I bought a John Steinbeck 1984 medal:

American Arts Commemorative Series one-half oz. gold medal - John Steinbeck 1984

rip_f · December 5, 2021 6:39PM

I live near Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin estate and I acquired the half ounce gold Arts Medal honoring him when it came out in 1982. It was my first gold coin. I wish I would have collected a few more - like Twain and Frost, but resources and priorities at the time wouldn't permit.

pmh1nic · December 5, 2021 8:53PM

I have one, the Willa Cather.

Zoins · December 5, 2021 9:09PM

@WillieBoyd2 said:
I bought this one in 1981 for $340.
[...]
American Arts Commemorative Series one oz. gold medal - Mark Twain 1981

Amazing buy! Congrats

Zoins · December 5, 2021 9:10PM

I'm a big fan of these but haven't picked one up yet.

Here's a thread I started a while back:

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1056263/american-arts-commemoratives

golden · December 5, 2021 9:23PM

No.

ernie11 · December 6, 2021 12:48AM

I have heard, although I cannot confirm, that the 1/2 oz. Alexander Calder was melted in large numbers. Myself, I have the Steinbeck 1/2 oz.

ricko · December 6, 2021 5:04AM

I recall seeing a couple at coin shows years ago. I did not buy any, but now, there are a couple I wish I had acquired. Not a great need, and the price of gold now inhibits my pursuit. I will stick to gold bullion U.S. coins for my stack - If I buy any at all now. For good reason... Cheers, RickO

Goldminers · December 6, 2021 8:01AM

Here is a little album set of them. They are tough to find in higher grades. They first ones were scotch taped on styrofoam and obtained from the post office.

https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/medals-tokens/american-arts-gold-medallions-circulation-strikes-1980-1984/album/123811