It is difficult for me to describe how bad these look.
Where's the depth of engraving?
Where's "Pass and stow" and all the other inscription?
Why does the wood look so textured and the bell look so simplified?
Why did they put the mint mark in the middle of the bell like that?
Why are the designers initials so prominent on both sides? (They are at least not in the sky on the gold version)
The fireworks, why so close to the building?
Why curve "E Pluribus Unum" if it isn't on a round coin?
The clock... they did the 10:10 thing that watch ads do to frame the logo, except this reversed the hands so it's more like 2:50, which is an odd time for fireworks to be happening whether that's AM or PM.
The gold content could have easily been put on the edge
On second thought, it is very easy to describe how bad this design is. Who approved this overpriced disappointment?
This whole thing, including the Mint's description seems AI generated.
"Quantities are extremely limited due to the high level of detail and precision required to produce each coin."
This is an absurd statement. Literally every coin the US Mint makes has more detail than this thing. What does that even have to do with quantity?
If that is accurate in showing the relative thickness/surface area of this coin, just how small is it?
And, does anyone else want to see a rotated reverse example or two?
They are 1.02 inch x .883 inch and 1.02 inch x .888 inch and .104 inch thick for the gold half ounce, .167 inch thick for the gold ounce and .160 inch thick for the silver.
They have the specifications out and the 1 ounce gold and 1/2 ounce silver ones are nearly the same thickness. The 1/2 ounce gold is only half as thick. They all are the same length and width. Here is a screenshot that shows all three next to each other.
@coiner said:
They (USM) have absolutely lost their minds on this one.
Without seeing the price - I thought the mintage of 2,026 would be a tough pickup on release day, expected about a $5500-$6000 price tag and wasnt too impressed by the offering.
When I saw $19,600.00 it is an absolute NO.
Agreed. The mintage is far too high for people who chase things mere mortals can only dream of ever owning.
It's actually not that much lower than plenty of other things that sit unloved on the Mint website, at far lower prices. But then the price is not that much lower than things like V75 AGEs and FH Gold privies that are merely aspirational for most of us.
As a result, they are likely to be orphans with no obvious target audience. Very, very foolish mintage/price combination. Either a bad joke, or a stupid test to see just how much abuse the collecting public will tolerate.
Agree that the mintage of 2026 is pretty high for a 1/2 ounce coin, especially at that premium.
Remember, there are over a dozen half-ounce First Spouse coins with mintages of less than 2026 that you can get for spot.
@ChrisH821 said:
The clock... they did the 10:10 thing that watch ads do to frame the logo, except this reversed the hands so it's more like 2:50, which is an odd time for fireworks to be happening whether that's AM or PM.
I didn't look too close at these at first glance... but this detail seems to celebrate America's 250th anniversary of independence. A cool little detail.
@ChrisH821 said:
The clock... they did the 10:10 thing that watch ads do to frame the logo, except this reversed the hands so it's more like 2:50, which is an odd time for fireworks to be happening whether that's AM or PM.
I didn't look too close at these at first glance... but this detail seems to celebrate America's 250th anniversary of independence. A cool little detail.
Ah, that did not click in my mind... In that case I actually like that detail.
@ChrisH821 said:
The clock... they did the 10:10 thing that watch ads do to frame the logo, except this reversed the hands so it's more like 2:50, which is an odd time for fireworks to be happening whether that's AM or PM.
I didn't look too close at these at first glance... but this detail seems to celebrate America's 250th anniversary of independence. A cool little detail.
And regarding the fireworks and "timing" of 2:50 -- I suppose you could stretch the imagination and consider it based on the the "fireworks" in the National Anthem (even though it's the war of 1812). Those "fireworks" could have been going off at 2:50am
Where in the Temu did they come up with that design? Why not use an accurate rendering of the Liberty bell on the obverse, move the mint mark and initials to the edge, make Independence Hall look more like Independence Hall than a strip mall with 2nd story offices and a clock tower, and make holographic fireworks?
@HalfDime said:
I don't remember these going through the design review process and being rubber stamped like we were told everything had to be or else.
ChatGPT is your friend:
November 19, 2024 – The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee reviewed the candidate designs and recommended specific obverse and reverse selections for the $250 gold coin, the $125 half-ounce gold coin, and the companion silver medal.
November 21, 2024 – The Commission of Fine Arts conducted its final review and endorsed the same design pair recommended by the CCAC for the 1-ounce $250 coin (Obverse O-03 and Reverse R-01A), with only minor suggestions regarding lettering and texture details.
November 27, 2024 – The CFA issued its formal recommendation letter to the U.S. Mint documenting the approved design selections.
Those meeting minutes should be available if searched.
My first two thoughts were, "gee how do I get around the HHL," and then, "are they completely insane to think that us typical mint collectors will buy these?"
I could see an old episode where Mr. T had the one ounce hanging from one of his giant gold chains.
Alas, someone will probably buy these, but I would not think these are a good flip opportunity.
This whole issue is an embarrassment. The items are vulgar cheesy-looking little baubles, stains on the history of our sovereign coinage. The prices add insult to injury.
The mint has become a profit driven machine. This might be kinda neat at bullion prices, but an easy pass at these obscene prices. I almost have buyers remorse over the price I had to pay to get a lowly silver proof set.
For those of you that want one and can afford to "invest" at this level, best of luck!
Here’s the math for each: Not a bad day for the Mint if they sell out. A helpful idea if you’re interested in buying, we have a month to sell off any body organs you’re not using and won’t need.
$19,600.00 x 2026 = $39,709,600.00
$10,050.00 x 2026 =$20,361,300.00
$750.00 x 2026 =$1,519,500.00
@291fifth said:
I wonder how many long time mint product buyers are now saying NO MORE!
I can understand this.
If people ever start collecting moderns perspective will shift. There are dozens, hundreds and hundreds of all sorts of moderns that are scarcer than the '16-D dime of which I used to dream. There are thousands scarcer than the '50-D nickel that occupied the hobby's attention for years during the early to mid-'60's.
@messydesk said:
Where in the Temu did they come up with that design? Why not use an accurate rendering of the Liberty bell on the obverse, move the mint mark and initials to the edge, make Independence Hall look more like Independence Hall than a strip mall with 2nd story offices and a clock tower, and make holographic fireworks?
Hard pass. Kidney stone level hard pass.
Same here. Pass.
But you know what will happen. They will sell out. We will see them reselling on GC and other auction sites for 50k in the next few months.
I happen to think if ANYONE intends to take a chance on these they will go after the rediculously priced silver at $750. If you just think of it as a flip - and someone out there wants an example of this "thing" - they will go after the low priced option.
Wagons will be painted on the 2026 Oregon Trail Commemorative Half Dollar Centennial Commemorative Dollar.
Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Also won the PNG's Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
It is too bad that the mint made these so small for the price, it is hard for many to justify this.
The cost to strike for both gold and silver should have been the same, so to put the gold at such a higher price shows these were not priced based on cost, but on what they thought they could get from collectors.
I would have wanted the bells to be double the size at a minimum, as it is these are tiny Liberty bells. Barely an inch is all. Some are going to be shocked at what they got for 10k or 20k in gold.
@ChrisH821 said:
It is difficult for me to describe how bad these look.
Where's the depth of engraving?
Where's "Pass and stow" and all the other inscription?
Why does the wood look so textured and the bell look so simplified?
Why did they put the mint mark in the middle of the bell like that?
Why are the designers initials so prominent on both sides? (They are at least not in the sky on the gold version)
The fireworks, why so close to the building?
Why curve "E Pluribus Unum" if it isn't on a round coin?
The clock... they did the 10:10 thing that watch ads do to frame the logo, except this reversed the hands so it's more like 2:50, which is an odd time for fireworks to be happening whether that's AM or PM.
The gold content could have easily been put on the edge
On second thought, it is very easy to describe how bad this design is. Who approved this overpriced disappointment?
This whole thing, including the Mint's description seems AI generated.
"Quantities are extremely limited due to the high level of detail and precision required to produce each coin."
This is an absurd statement. Literally every coin the US Mint makes has more detail than this thing. What does that even have to do with quantity?
Many years ago I was competing in the ANA World Series of Numismatics contest (vaguely like Jeopardy) when host Donn Pearlman started to ask a question: "What time does the clock say on the Bicentennial Half Do...." when I buzzed in and answered "3 o'clock." Donn looked puzzled but awarded me the points. Many years later he admitted that he was trying to make a joke by asking a question that absolutely NOBODY could answer before reading the real question, but I knew what it said.
Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Also won the PNG's Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
@ChrisH821 said:
The clock... they did the 10:10 thing that watch ads do to frame the logo, except this reversed the hands so it's more like 2:50, which is an odd time for fireworks to be happening whether that's AM or PM.
I didn't look too close at these at first glance... but this detail seems to celebrate America's 250th anniversary of independence. A cool little detail.
That clock says 1:50, not 2:50. They may have been aiming for 2:50, but they missed. That hour hand is well above the 3.
Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Also won the PNG's Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
Will the TPG's be attributing "FULL BELL LINES" on the bell?
Will the TPG's be attributing "FULL WOOD" on the beam?
Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Also won the PNG's Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
Getting through will be a miracle and actually getting one in your cart will be quite the achievement. Both of these offerings will be sold out in 1 minute and secondary markets will command 10x issue price within 5 minutes of the launch.
IMO the Mint is feeling pretty good about the brand.
Sovereign Mints do thjs type of thing, its fairly common.
As said it is "interesting", a low production official Mint souvenir commemorating 250. How often will we get a chance at a unique, important anniversary Mint item?
@7Jaguars said:
Where was the new mint director on rhis one?
This was reviewed and approved back in the Fall of 2024, 19 months before release. Ventris Gibson was the Mint Director at the time. This one seems like it was way under the radar, as I never really saw anything about it until it popped up on the price page and then I looked into this abomination.
@mbr33 said:
Here’s the math for each: Not a bad day for the Mint if they sell out. A helpful idea if you’re interested in buying, we have a month to sell off any body organs you’re not using and won’t need.
$19,600.00 x 2026 = $39,709,600.00
$10,050.00 x 2026 =$20,361,300.00
$750.00 x 2026 =$1,519,500.00
$61million for three items. And someone said the mint looses money every year? I must be missing something.
@morgansforever said:
Getting through will be a miracle and actually getting one in your cart will be quite the achievement. Both of these offerings will be sold out in 1 minute and secondary markets will command 10x issue price within 5 minutes of the launch.
Good! Maybe the high rollers will be tapped out for a day or two which will give the rest of us a chance to buy some real coins. These things are vastly overpriced gimmicks.
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 ... ?
@291fifth said:
I wonder how many long time mint product buyers are now saying NO MORE!
I think the number of buyers who must have everything the mint issues every year must be headed toward zero.
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 ... ?
@7Jaguars said:
Where was the new mint director on rhis one?
This guy claims he’s somehow “collector friendly.” Offerings like this undermine that claim.
Think of the dealer who over charges for everything. Yes, somehow they continue to stay in business. The mint is topping them all.
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 ... ?
I agree with all the negatives here, and am disappointed with the Mint's decisions here.
That being said, if I play the role of Devil's advocate for a second.....this release isn't for most of us. It's an auction with the winning bid already assigned to the price-point. The Mint in a way has auctioned these off for $19,000, $10,000 and $750. Now the winners just have to claim them on drop day. 2026 people can be "winners" by beating their fellow man to the punch and claim one. Will there be a secondary market? Probably, but that club of buyers is also a small one....and no doubt will always be a small one.
So what's next? Is there anything else in the works for the rest of us that's more attainable and attractive to the Average Joe? Would be nice. The Mint schedule for the end of the year is pretty sparse and could use a nice booster-rocket of a coin or coin set. Fractional Buffaloes ??? I know, I know....not everyone is a fan, but I wouldn't mind a 20th Anniversary set of those.
@291fifth said:
I wonder how many long time mint product buyers are now saying NO MORE!
I think the number of buyers who must have everything the mint issues every year must be headed toward zero.
That trend downward started with the 1996-W Proof Silver Eagle. How many people gave up then?
Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Also won the PNG's Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
@mbr33 said:
Here’s the math for each: Not a bad day for the Mint if they sell out. A helpful idea if you’re interested in buying, we have a month to sell off any body organs you’re not using and won’t need.
$19,600.00 x 2026 = $39,709,600.00
$10,050.00 x 2026 =$20,361,300.00
$750.00 x 2026 =$1,519,500.00
$61million for three items. And someone said the mint looses money every year? I must be missing something.
The numismatic division used to lose money every year... before the huge price increases. They don't anymore.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
@mbr33 said:
Here’s the math for each: Not a bad day for the Mint if they sell out. A helpful idea if you’re interested in buying, we have a month to sell off any body organs you’re not using and won’t need.
$19,600.00 x 2026 = $39,709,600.00
$10,050.00 x 2026 =$20,361,300.00
$750.00 x 2026 =$1,519,500.00
$61million for three items. And someone said the mint looses money every year? I must be missing something.
The numismatic division used to lose money every year... before the huge price increases. They don't anymore.
Plus the 2026 back-order method of doing business (while angering many, some who didn't notice when placing their orders) has ensured not much warehouse storage space will be required for excess inventory on the books.
Comments
It is difficult for me to describe how bad these look.
Where's the depth of engraving?
Where's "Pass and stow" and all the other inscription?
Why does the wood look so textured and the bell look so simplified?
Why did they put the mint mark in the middle of the bell like that?
Why are the designers initials so prominent on both sides? (They are at least not in the sky on the gold version)
The fireworks, why so close to the building?
Why curve "E Pluribus Unum" if it isn't on a round coin?
The clock... they did the 10:10 thing that watch ads do to frame the logo, except this reversed the hands so it's more like 2:50, which is an odd time for fireworks to be happening whether that's AM or PM.
The gold content could have easily been put on the edge
On second thought, it is very easy to describe how bad this design is. Who approved this overpriced disappointment?
This whole thing, including the Mint's description seems AI generated.
"Quantities are extremely limited due to the high level of detail and precision required to produce each coin."
This is an absurd statement. Literally every coin the US Mint makes has more detail than this thing. What does that even have to do with quantity?
Collector, occasional seller
If that is accurate in showing the relative thickness/surface area of this coin, just how small is it?
And, does anyone else want to see a rotated reverse example or two?
Ed. S.
(EJS)
be cool and use it for your monopoly token
They are 1.02 inch x .883 inch and 1.02 inch x .888 inch and .104 inch thick for the gold half ounce, .167 inch thick for the gold ounce and .160 inch thick for the silver.
They have the specifications out and the 1 ounce gold and 1/2 ounce silver ones are nearly the same thickness. The 1/2 ounce gold is only half as thick. They all are the same length and width. Here is a screenshot that shows all three next to each other.
Agree that the mintage of 2026 is pretty high for a 1/2 ounce coin, especially at that premium.
Remember, there are over a dozen half-ounce First Spouse coins with mintages of less than 2026 that you can get for spot.
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 700
$50 like the Best of Mint dime
At those prices, they could at least have fixed the cracked die.
ANA 50+ year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Author: 3rd Edition of the SampleSlabs book, https://sampleslabs.info/
I thought these were neat, until I saw the prices. The mint is out of their mind.
Collector
Over 100 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 57 members and counting!
instagram.com/klnumismatics
I didn't look too close at these at first glance... but this detail seems to celebrate America's 250th anniversary of independence. A cool little detail.
Ah, that did not click in my mind... In that case I actually like that detail.
Collector, occasional seller
And regarding the fireworks and "timing" of 2:50 -- I suppose you could stretch the imagination and consider it based on the the "fireworks" in the National Anthem (even though it's the war of 1812). Those "fireworks" could have been going off at 2:50am
Where in the Temu did they come up with that design? Why not use an accurate rendering of the Liberty bell on the obverse, move the mint mark and initials to the edge, make Independence Hall look more like Independence Hall than a strip mall with 2nd story offices and a clock tower, and make holographic fireworks?
Hard pass. Kidney stone level hard pass.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
ChatGPT is your friend:
November 19, 2024 – The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee reviewed the candidate designs and recommended specific obverse and reverse selections for the $250 gold coin, the $125 half-ounce gold coin, and the companion silver medal.
November 21, 2024 – The Commission of Fine Arts conducted its final review and endorsed the same design pair recommended by the CCAC for the 1-ounce $250 coin (Obverse O-03 and Reverse R-01A), with only minor suggestions regarding lettering and texture details.
November 27, 2024 – The CFA issued its formal recommendation letter to the U.S. Mint documenting the approved design selections.
Those meeting minutes should be available if searched.
My first two thoughts were, "gee how do I get around the HHL," and then, "are they completely insane to think that us typical mint collectors will buy these?"
I could see an old episode where Mr. T had the one ounce hanging from one of his giant gold chains.
Alas, someone will probably buy these, but I would not think these are a good flip opportunity.
This whole issue is an embarrassment. The items are vulgar cheesy-looking little baubles, stains on the history of our sovereign coinage. The prices add insult to injury.
Now listen boy, I'm tryin' to teach you sumthin' . . . . that ain't an optical illusion, it only looks like an optical illusion.
My mind reader refuses to charge me. . . . . . .
With my luck whichever one I bought would be graded at 69
The mint has become a profit driven machine. This might be kinda neat at bullion prices, but an easy pass at these obscene prices. I almost have buyers remorse over the price I had to pay to get a lowly silver proof set.
For those of you that want one and can afford to "invest" at this level, best of luck!
reminds me of a chibi coin.
At the markup they are charging, it should come pre-graded 70.
Like a box of chocolates
Here’s the math for each: Not a bad day for the Mint if they sell out. A helpful idea if you’re interested in buying, we have a month to sell off any body organs you’re not using and won’t need.
$19,600.00 x 2026 = $39,709,600.00
$10,050.00 x 2026 =$20,361,300.00
$750.00 x 2026 =$1,519,500.00
Thus rendering the grade meaningless.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
I wonder how many long time mint product buyers are now saying NO MORE!
They made 30,239 small (~1/3 Oz) bicentennial gold medals, 5,396 ~1 0z, and "434" 13.5 Oz.
These sometimes trade at a premium and this might be a good time to sell.
When the hubbub dies down even "2026" starts looking like a lot of gold.
I can understand this.
If people ever start collecting moderns perspective will shift. There are dozens, hundreds and hundreds of all sorts of moderns that are scarcer than the '16-D dime of which I used to dream. There are thousands scarcer than the '50-D nickel that occupied the hobby's attention for years during the early to mid-'60's.
I do like the occasional non-round coin (or medal), but I'm with you on this one.
Same here. Pass.
But you know what will happen. They will sell out. We will see them reselling on GC and other auction sites for 50k in the next few months.
I happen to think if ANYONE intends to take a chance on these they will go after the rediculously priced silver at $750. If you just think of it as a flip - and someone out there wants an example of this "thing" - they will go after the low priced option.
Wagons will be painted on the 2026 Oregon Trail Commemorative Half Dollar Centennial Commemorative Dollar.
It is too bad that the mint made these so small for the price, it is hard for many to justify this.
The cost to strike for both gold and silver should have been the same, so to put the gold at such a higher price shows these were not priced based on cost, but on what they thought they could get from collectors.
I would have wanted the bells to be double the size at a minimum, as it is these are tiny Liberty bells. Barely an inch is all. Some are going to be shocked at what they got for 10k or 20k in gold.
If they sneeze it may fly off of their hand.
Many years ago I was competing in the ANA World Series of Numismatics contest (vaguely like Jeopardy) when host Donn Pearlman started to ask a question: "What time does the clock say on the Bicentennial Half Do...." when I buzzed in and answered "3 o'clock." Donn looked puzzled but awarded me the points. Many years later he admitted that he was trying to make a joke by asking a question that absolutely NOBODY could answer before reading the real question, but I knew what it said.
That clock says 1:50, not 2:50. They may have been aiming for 2:50, but they missed. That hour hand is well above the 3.
Will the TPG's be attributing "FULL BELL LINES" on the bell?
Will the TPG's be attributing "FULL WOOD" on the beam?
Getting through will be a miracle and actually getting one in your cart will be quite the achievement. Both of these offerings will be sold out in 1 minute and secondary markets will command 10x issue price within 5 minutes of the launch.
IMO the Mint is feeling pretty good about the brand.
Sovereign Mints do thjs type of thing, its fairly common.
As said it is "interesting", a low production official Mint souvenir commemorating 250. How often will we get a chance at a unique, important anniversary Mint item?
I will be dead by 2076.
Where was the new mint director on rhis one?
Well, just Love coins, period.
Interview with the designer and a bit more interesting info even if you hate the idea.
This was reviewed and approved back in the Fall of 2024, 19 months before release. Ventris Gibson was the Mint Director at the time. This one seems like it was way under the radar, as I never really saw anything about it until it popped up on the price page and then I looked into this abomination.
Understood but the pricing scheme was most certainly not.
Well, just Love coins, period.
Remember, you can only order just one!!!!!!!
And to think it's a full ½ Troy oz. of 99.99% gold!!!
Freedom Ringing – Liberty Bell One-Half Ounce Gold Coin Link
Watch party is in effect. Are you personally on hold for the $30,400 three coin set
$61million for three items. And someone said the mint looses money every year? I must be missing something.
Good! Maybe the high rollers will be tapped out for a day or two which will give the rest of us a chance to buy some real coins. These things are vastly overpriced gimmicks.
I think the number of buyers who must have everything the mint issues every year must be headed toward zero.
This guy claims he’s somehow “collector friendly.” Offerings like this undermine that claim.
Think of the dealer who over charges for everything. Yes, somehow they continue to stay in business. The mint is topping them all.
I agree with all the negatives here, and am disappointed with the Mint's decisions here.
That being said, if I play the role of Devil's advocate for a second.....this release isn't for most of us. It's an auction with the winning bid already assigned to the price-point. The Mint in a way has auctioned these off for $19,000, $10,000 and $750. Now the winners just have to claim them on drop day. 2026 people can be "winners" by beating their fellow man to the punch and claim one. Will there be a secondary market? Probably, but that club of buyers is also a small one....and no doubt will always be a small one.
So what's next? Is there anything else in the works for the rest of us that's more attainable and attractive to the Average Joe? Would be nice. The Mint schedule for the end of the year is pretty sparse and could use a nice booster-rocket of a coin or coin set. Fractional Buffaloes ??? I know, I know....not everyone is a fan, but I wouldn't mind a 20th Anniversary set of those.
That trend downward started with the 1996-W Proof Silver Eagle. How many people gave up then?
The numismatic division used to lose money every year... before the huge price increases. They don't anymore.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Plus the 2026 back-order method of doing business (while angering many, some who didn't notice when placing their orders) has ensured not much warehouse storage space will be required for excess inventory on the books.