MINT ENDING MOST PLATINUMS, GOLD BUFFALOS... LIST HERE

Comments

• rgCoinGuy Posts: 7,478 ✭

  November 9, 2008 11:51PM

  They are finally getting rid of those 2001 Kennedy's!

  Quid pro quo. Yes or no?

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 9, 2008 11:53PM

  Personally, I think this is good news for the hobby. The Mint has expanded into way too many product lines. It forced all of us to become fractionalized, going from U.S. coin collectors to collectors of this specialized series or that... I've taken the position before, but didn't expect the Mint would actually do anything. I'll miss some of what they've cut, but am glad to see they've done something.
  
  I guess this is our last opportunity to get in on those spoons!

  Dan

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• kieferscoins Posts: 10,017 ✭

  November 9, 2008 11:55PM

  This is a great thing! Less worthless sets and the Mint will be a Mint and not a producer of 500+ different "collectible" items.
  
  Cameron Kiefer

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• jmski52 Posts: 23,289 ✭✭✭✭✭

  November 9, 2008 11:56PM

  Well, I'll be darned! I honestly never thought that I'd see the day. I wonder if some of these will now be considered "classics"?
  
  I'm sure that there will be controversy over which items needed to be wacked, but they really had to do something about the out-of-control proliferation of stuff.

  Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally
  
  I knew it would happen.

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• 2manycoins2fewfunds Posts: 3,039 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 12:03AM

  Now..............what to buy.
  
  Fractional Buffalos look good............
  
  The 3 year Uncirculated W Plats will likely hold crown with low mintage # for years to come.
  
  ? Modern Stellas??

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• Zoins Posts: 34,401 ✭✭✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 12:04AM

  <<
  From now on at the end of each year, we will examine our portfolio to make sure the warehouse is not stuffed with products they (Mint customers) don’t want...
  
  We have too many products. We have heard loud and clear from our collecting community. We are responding to that.
  >>
  
  Customer feedback works
  
  But while "the product offerings will be reduced from more than 550 available in 2008 to roughly 200," is 200 still too high?

  Private Mint News | 2010 Lincoln Reverse Finalists

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• Placid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 12:07AM

  "All sales will be final."

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 12:08AM

  I'm sure that there will be controversy over which items needed to be wacked, but they really had to do something about the out-of-control proliferation of stuff.
  
  Agree 100%.
  
  I'll miss some of the coins (esp. the $10 buffalos, a size which I can't help feel suits the design), and question the logic of keeping others (personally, I think the 1oz platinums, while great coins, are just a little too pricey for most) but elimination of the fractionals certainly helps focus the series-- it's easier to stomach the purchase of a 1oz coin if you aren't also trying to keep up with the baggage of all the smaller coins at the same time.
  
  THANK YOU U.S. MINT! For the first time, I feel like they are actually listening! I think they could discontinue even more, but this is an excellent start!
  
  Discontinued Products
  
  United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature SetsTM
  United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin – Individual Proof CoinsTM
  American Eagle Platinum Uncirculated Coins (all options)
  American Eagle Platinum Proof 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 1/10, and Four-Coin Sets
  American Eagle Gold Uncirculated 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 1/10, and Four-Coin Sets
  American Buffalo Uncirculated Gold Coins (all options)
  American Buffalo Proof 1⁄2, 1⁄4, 1/10, and Four-Coin Sets
  50 State Quarters® First Day Coin Covers (continue through 2008)
  Greetings From America Portfolios and Card Sets
  Coin and Die Sets
  Collectible Spoons
  

  Dan

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 12:10AM

  "All sales will be final."
  
  About time!
  

  Dan

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 12:14AM

  But while "the product offerings will be reduced from more than 550 available in 2008 to roughly 200," is 200 still too high?
  
  I think it is. But heck, the choices they've made go a long way to fixing things. I love the w-uncirculated platinums probably more than any sane person has a right to, but they are a redundancy which is extraordinarily expensive for a platinum collector. The proofs were hard enough to collect, and the unc-w coins doubled that burden.
  
  Buffalo golds were another problem-- it just takes collectors out of the long-standing American Eagle golds.
  
  Platinums and golds are among the most expensive offerings, and reducing the numbers of offerings is a big benefit to our future.

  Dan

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• Placid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 12:17AM

  So it sounds like the items will be reduced in price?
  I wonder if the remaining platinum and gold coins will be priced closer to spot? Glad I didnt buy at the old price
  Guess I will know for sure saturday.

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• Goldbully Posts: 17,995 ✭✭✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 12:25AM

  November 10, 2008
  
  United States Mint Embarks on Major Update of Its Numismatic Product Portfolio
  
  
  WASHINGTON - The United States Mint is conducting a comprehensive, top-to-bottom review of its numismatic product portfolio to focus next year on those products collectors most appreciate and order most often.
  
  "We are responding to the collector community which has spoken loudly and clearly," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy. "Customers have told us there are just too many products. We agree, and it's time the United States Mint trims down and concentrates on the products our customers love most."
  
  Trimming the 2009 portfolio will afford the United States Mint the opportunity to focus resources on its core products. It will spotlight offerings with broad appeal, such as its annual United States Mint Proof Sets. With fewer products to manufacture, the United States Mint will be able to offer proof sets and other products earlier in the calendar year beginning in 2010, making them available for customers to purchase for more occasions.
  
  The United States Mint relied principally on the number of units sold in determining which products or product lines have been most popular with collectors and other customers. More than 550 individual coin and medal products were evaluated; nearly 200 of those coin and medal products will remain in the new portfolio.
  
  The United States Mint will analyze its products each year to ensure the best portfolio is maintained.
  
  
  

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 12:27AM

  I wonder if the remaining platinum and gold coins will be priced closer to spot?
  
  That's a great question. Will they reprice down, clearance sale style? Or just keep prices as they are, end the programs and melt remaining stock?
  
  From a business standpoint, I think they'd make the most money just keeping things priced as they are. This announcement will probably excite anyone sitting on the sidelines, and having a definite end date means we can't just drift along figuring we'll buy at a later date.
  
  But the way the announcement is worded does raise the possibility of lowering issue prices to get rid of inventory.
  
  I think the best course of action is to get what you absolutely need before November 15 (or risk it selling out before then) and then revisiting after November 15 for any speculative opportunities.
  
  

  Dan

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• Walmann Posts: 2,806 ✭

  November 10, 2008 12:30AM

  According to the article melt date for unsold 2008 coins will be in June '09, so the Dec. 19th date does not apply for for '08 coins.
  
  Curious to see what prices the Mints's"clearance sale" will be.

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 12:31AM

  The United States Mint relied principally on the number of units sold in determining which products or product lines have been most popular with collectors and other customers. More than 550 individual coin and medal products were evaluated; nearly 200 of those coin and medal products will remain in the new portfolio
  
  This is really some of the best news I've heard in some time!
  
  Seems like many of us agree?
  

  Dan

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• CB2597 Posts: 3,042

  November 10, 2008 12:33AM

  I guess it a definite "Hold" for my 2008 FS PR70DCAM fractional buffalos then What say you???

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• Placid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 12:37AM

  
  
  << <i>According to the article melt date for unsold 2008 coins will be in June '09, so the Dec. 19th date does not apply for for '08 coins.
  
  Curious to see what prices the Mints's"clearance sale" will be. >>
  
  
  
  That is for the coins not on the discontinued list.
  
  MELTING COINS THAT AREN'T SOLD BY DECEMBER 19
  Of those that don’ sell, Brunhart says, “We’re going to be doing a significant detrashing and melting (of) the products that do not sell by Dec. 19. Those products will be immediately broken down and sent to the melter.”
  

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• SilverEagles92 Posts: 6,787 ✭

  November 10, 2008 12:41AM

  November 15, you say? I need to get a set of those fractional buffalos to put away... One year only?! Sheesh!

  
  To support LordM's European Trip, click here!

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• Placid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 12:44AM

  
  
  << <i>November 15, you say? I need to get a set of those fractional buffalos to put away... One year only?! Sheesh! >>
  
  
  
  Midnight madness at the mint

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• SilverEagles92 Posts: 6,787 ✭

  November 10, 2008 12:45AM

  
  
  << <i>
  
  << <i>November 15, you say? I need to get a set of those fractional buffalos to put away... One year only?! Sheesh! >>
  
  
  
  Midnight madness at the mint >>
  
  
  
  And they're completely ending the Unc. Gold Buffalo coins.
  Looks like a 4-piece Unc. set is in my future.
  
  
  Now I just need to come up with $1,950

  
  To support LordM's European Trip, click here!

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 12:49AM

  Fractional Buffalos look good............
  
  The 3 year Uncirculated W Plats will likely hold crown with low mintage # for years to come.
  
  
  I agree... I like the fractional buffalos, especially the $10 coins. A tested design, in a perfect size.
  
  I'm curious about the "clearance" sale aspect of this announcement, and whether that suggests repricing closer to spot, but I think it might be foolish to hold off on orders until that date.
  
  We don't know if repricing will actually occur, and there will probably be a rush to order now that the news is out. I'd hate to miss out on some of these coins because I sat on the sidelines hoping for a repricing that didn't come.
  
  I think the best approach here is to buy what you really want now, and wait for any bulk speculative purchases until after November 15. if things are repriced downwards, you'll be in good shape. If coins aren't repriced down, or, god forbid, go dark before Nov. 15, at least you won't have missed out entirely.
  
  With that in mind, I'm getting ready to back the truck up on those sweet collectible spoons!
  
  
  

  Dan

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• GritsMan Posts: 2,599 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 12:55AM

  Holy Cow! This is such good news I feel like it might be a hoax! I'll be sad to see the fractional buffs go, but everything else is a really good Mint move, I think. Get set for a through-the-roof sales of the High Relief!

  Winner of the Coveted Devil Award June 8th, 2010

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• ozzyfan269 Posts: 1,002

  November 10, 2008 1:07AM

  I am in for a a set of BOTH the UNC and PROOF Buffaloes...
  
  My Platinums have until Nov 19th plus a couple of days before I must send them back for a refund. I will wait until after the 15th to decide what if anything I will send back.
  
  

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• 2manycoins2fewfunds Posts: 3,039 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 1:25AM

  Since the full return guarantee is in effect til the 15th it might be wise to buy what you want now while return option is still open.

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• coolest Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 1:27AM

  I better hurry up and get my 2001 Kennedy's

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• Placid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 1:27AM

  
  
  << <i>Since the full return guarantee is in effect til the 15th it might be wise to buy what you want now while return option is still open. >>
  
  
  
  If you really wanted to mess them up, order a bunch of stuff now then return it all as late as you can.
  That would make them melt it

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• Casman Posts: 3,935 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 1:31AM

  Why is there a bunch of items on the last call list that are already supposed to be unavailable? For example, the George Washington Coin Covers?
  
  
  Guess I didn't read the whole thing: the Mint will be offering hundreds of current and past products to collectors....

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• coolest Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 1:36AM

  
  
  << <i>
  
  << <i>
  
  << <i>November 15, you say? I need to get a set of those fractional buffalos to put away... One year only?! Sheesh! >>
  
  
  
  Midnight madness at the mint >>
  
  
  
  And they're completely ending the Unc. Gold Buffalo coins.
  Looks like a 4-piece Unc. set is in my future.
  
  
  Now I just need to come up with $1,950 >>
  
  
  
  Should we order now or wait for the "no returns" sale?

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 1:39AM

  If you really wanted to mess them up, order a bunch of stuff now then return it all as late as you can.
  
  
  lol, good idea. order as much of the meltable stuff on November 14, and return 30 days later. help fill the melting pot!

  Dan

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• Coinlearner Posts: 2,505 ✭✭✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 1:42AM

  ......Looks like Fri. is going to be a long day, going into Sat. before

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 1:43AM

  Should we order now or wait for the "no returns" sale?
  
  I think the best approach is order what you really want now. Some of this stuff could go dark before the 15th, and we aren't even sure if there will be a repricing.
  
  If there's a repricing on the 15th, you could order more then, and probably even return the earlier order (most stores would agree to refund the difference rather than make you return and rebuy, but I wouldn't count on that with the Mint).
  

  Dan

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• ozzyfan269 Posts: 1,002

  November 10, 2008 1:46AM

  TOO LATE!!!
  THEY ARE ALL GONE!

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 1:50AM

  TOO LATE!!!
  THEY ARE ALL GONE!
  
  edited from "not true" to "maybe true."
  
  why would that be? difficult to believe that all of these have sold out already. I placed a few orders this morning. My order for $10s says "on hold"
  
  Strangely, my order for 4 coin sets of unc buffalos says "shipped" (I only placed the order an hour ago) but the status says "no longer available".
  
  
  Order number: 30383xxx
  Order Date: 11/10/2008 at 10:55 AM
  Order Status: Your order request has been shipped.
  
  
  2008 BUFF GLD UNC MM 4 COIN SET Item is no longer available.
  
  
  

  Dan

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 1:58AM

  My order for $10 gold coins, which is "on hold"
  
  shows the the following
  
  2008 BUFF GLD UNC MM 1/4 OZ In stock and reserved
  2008 BUFF GLD PRF 1/4 OZ In stock and reserved
  
  

  Dan

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• Casman Posts: 3,935 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 2:08AM

  
  
  << <i>My order for $10 gold coins, which is "on hold"
  
  shows the the following
  
  2008 BUFF GLD UNC MM 1/4 OZ In stock and reserved
  2008 BUFF GLD PRF 1/4 OZ In stock and reserved >>
  
  
  
  
  You're pronbably good to go with the above, but shipped and no longer avail means you won't get the 4 piece set, unless it's a clearance item offered later...

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 2:13AM

  this is pretty bizarre. Could a major player have made a bulk purchase of everything?
  
  
  Or is the Mint pulling everything because they ARE planning a clearance repricing, and want to avoid a bunch of after-the-fact returns? (which is dumb, since they could just offer refunds of the difference to anyone who ordered and still has an open return window). Tactically, they've made a mistake here. They should have closed sales first. Waited 30 days for the return window to end. Then reopened sales as clearance, with no return.
  

  Dan

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• 2manycoins2fewfunds Posts: 3,039 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 2:32AM

  The Buffalo and Plats going dark could be from a major buyer stepping in or it might just be the US Mint closing the door on those with full return option prior to change on the 15th where ALL SALES ARE FINAL!

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 2:46AM

  I must have gotten one of the last buffalo orders today...
  
  I first ordered a few $10 unc and proof buffalos this morning.
  
  I received a confirmation email for my order for $10 coins at 10:00am (EST), "in stock and reserved" and showing the total charge amount.
  
  A little while later, I decided to order a few 4 buffalo unc 4 coin sets.
  
  At 10:56 am (EST) my confirmation came back. It shows a charge total of .00 and says "Product not available."
  
  Maybe these will go back on sale on November 15.
  
  
  

  Dan

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• Overdate Posts: 7,166 ✭✭✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 3:06AM

  With that in mind, I'm getting ready to back the truck up on those sweet collectible spoons!
  
  And here I was waiting for the Mint to come out with collectible knives and forks! Guess I'll be on a diet of soup and cereal from now on.
  

  My Adolph A. Weinman signature

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• HalfStrike Posts: 2,202 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 3:10AM

  This is insane, the mint sold out ASAP and will allow a few to have all the coins left.

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• HalfStrike Posts: 2,202 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 3:12AM

  303858XX
  
  2008 BUFF GLD PRF 1/10 OZ 1 $159.95 $159.95 In stock and reserved
  2008 BUFF GLD UNC MM 1/4 OZ 1 $289.95 $289.95 In stock and reserved
  

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• fc Posts: 12,793 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 3:24AM

  well the mint finally made a good move. i hope they gut their
  program down to the bare bones.

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• Dollar2007 Posts: 774 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 3:27AM

  All the buffalos look like there in stock now. I bought all the quarter first day covers, which turned out to be a bad move, back then I thought it was neat to have the first day strike. The mint started them out at $19.95, and then down to $14.95, and now there reducing the price again, and most are still available.

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 3:41AM

  well the mint finally made a good move. i hope they gut their program down to the bare bones.
  
  for once I agree with fc!

  Dan

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• HalfStrike Posts: 2,202 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 3:45AM

  I think the mint did a brave thing and will come out with new designs for next year. This is great for past collectors of moderns!

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• Casman Posts: 3,935 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 4:02AM

  Didn't know the mint kept stock of items listed as no longer available. I took this statement from the mint site, "The sale of these products will increase previously stated "final" sales figures." So what if for example they reoffered the 2006 w plats? So, while I agree that there are too many product offerings, putting stuff back on sale that was no longer available creates its own set of issues for collectors.
  
  Edited for too many cups of coffee...

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• nycounsel Posts: 1,229 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 4:09AM

  NOTE: Coins seem to be in stock again! I just successfully placed an order for fractional buffalo $10 coins.

  Dan

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• SlangNRox Posts: 774 ✭✭

  November 10, 2008 4:10AM

  Well I guess this ends my collection of proof platinum coins since I collect the 1/2 oz. I think thats a good thing since I probably should've quit after the first set of coins showing different parts of the US.

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• Placid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭

  November 10, 2008 4:10AM

  Who knows what they will find while clearing things out.
  Maybe a 1933 saint.
  
  I wonder how this "sale" will be handled.
  Will they have a special section on the web so you can browse all the sale items or will they just be found at random in the current catalog listings

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• Kablemodem Posts: 466

  November 10, 2008 4:12AM

  All sales are final on the clearance items, but they will accept returns for damaged items. Anything less than a 70 would technically be damaged (in the eyes of many collectors), so you can pretty much return anything you want.

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