What's your problem with the US Mint?

jessecarlk · February 21, 2010 12:39AM

I would like to hear everyone's problems with the US Mint. Whether your problems are with bullion, commemoratives, shipping, circulation coins, whatever.

STONE · February 21, 2010 12:41AM

Quality, designs, quality-designs

TwoSides2aCoin · February 21, 2010 1:04AM

That we don't have a recall on excess coinage held in bank vaults. Not that we need controls over any private institution but they could use the help of the people as far as getting the g'mint to do this, before releasing new issues each year. But that's not complaining. We're just not understanding that fewer are collecting and even more are using electronic forms of payment. It's not at the Mint where the problem is, but the millions of unused coins in banks. This creates a problem for the banks and I wouldn't want the Mint Products either without a comprehensive solution of ridding ourselves of HOARDS.
I can solve this in my head because it's really not my problem. I just pay the interest at the bank.

carl · February 21, 2010 1:14AM

Why absolutely none. I find they are always punctual with deliveries, great prices, fantastic phone service, amazingly great looking items, never miss what they promise and just nice people to do buisness with. AND what an wonderfully easy web site to navigate and order from.
OH, did you mean OUR US Mint? HMMM. Can't say on this web site due to YN's listening.

CEOGBOSE · February 21, 2010 1:17AM

I haven't experienced any problems so far I don't order a whole lot from them but when I have never had a problem.

jmski52 · February 21, 2010 1:18AM

What's your problem with the US Mint?

LOL !!!

NitroCruiser · February 21, 2010 2:08AM

Where to begin. Others mentioned the important things like quality and design. I'll start with this. Why can I buy an UNC silver coin from APMEX for $18 - $19 (2010 prices) and an UNC directly from the Mint cost $25.95 (2008 prices, silver averaged $14.99 per oz that year). UNC commems were $35. Des it really cost that much extra to put a "W" on the dies and with a cardboard box and COA?

That brings up another issue, make the fancy packaging optional if the customer wants to buy it. I'd be happy to get the coin in an airtight and save the cost (and storage space). Some of the packaging is nice, some times it stinks, let the customer decide.

ambro51 · February 21, 2010 2:10AM

Black spots on new Lincolns

Connecticoin · February 21, 2010 2:33AM

Yes, I long for the days (mid to late 1970s) when I would order proof sets in April, and receive them the following December or January.

TwoSides2aCoin · February 21, 2010 2:34AM

No Discounts for Seniors

08HALA20 · February 21, 2010 3:20AM

<< Yes, I long for the days (mid to late 1970s) when I would order proof sets in April, and receive them the following December or January. >>

Mine took 9 days this time. Oh for the OLD days

Joe

ricko · February 21, 2010 3:25AM

Lousy designs and way too many different coins being made. Cheers, RickO

Gemineye · February 21, 2010 3:25AM

<< No Discounts for Seniors

>>

....You said it.....!!!

oldfolkie · February 21, 2010 3:26AM

I'm not really sure who is to blame for the, at time, poor designs, from the recent response to RWBs request for help in getting a better design for the Gettysburg quarter I'd say we are just as much to blame as anyone. I can't say I have had any real problems with the mint other than trying to get thru to them when the hot items first go on sale. I do wish they'd dump the excess packaging. But more than anything I wish they could make coins in denominations we'd actually use--even here though, I don't think they are to blame. Considering who thay have to work with, and the self-serving politicians they work for, they are probably doing OK.

DorkGirl · February 21, 2010 4:14AM

No problems here.

BaronVonBaugh · February 21, 2010 4:15AM

<< I'm not really sure who is to blame for the, at time, poor designs, from the recent response to RWBs request for help in getting a better design for the Gettysburg quarter I'd say we are just as much to blame as anyone. I can't say I have had any real problems with the mint other than trying to get thru to them when the hot items first go on sale. I do wish they'd dump the excess packaging. But more than anything I wish they could make coins in denominations we'd actually use--even here though, I don't think they are to blame. Considering who thay have to work with, and the self-serving politicians they work for, they are probably doing OK. >>

The mint should be required to have 100,000 or the entire run, which ever is smaller, ready to ship on the first day of sales!
If they are not ready then the sale date should be moved until they are ready.

rld14 · February 21, 2010 4:16AM

Because our circulating coinage sucks.

OK, Roosevelt was a great guy, but 64 years is long enough for the dime. They finally facelifted the nickel, but it's still nothing special.

Bring back classic design, I'd love to see the Mercury Dime or Standing Liberty Quarter come back, make our coisn beautiful again.

All that nonsense aside, I don't collect modern stuff.

JamesMurray · February 21, 2010 4:28AM

<< Lousy designs and way too many different coins being made. Cheers, RickO >>

Ditto , its getting absurd.The USA's coins were always ones of beauty and significance , instantly recoqnised anywhere in the world.Not any more , its more akin to the tawdy trinkets seen in Europe.

johnny9434 · February 21, 2010 4:31AM

quality of items and the prices their getting for the gold.

Baley · February 21, 2010 4:47AM

my problems with the mint start in about 1837, grow progressively worse through the next century and a half (with a few exceptions), and now, I'm just looking forward to them shutting down in favor of e-currency.

LindeDad · February 21, 2010 5:29AM

Have to agree that steam press led to their downfall.

Mercury10c · February 21, 2010 5:31AM

<< That we don't have a recall on excess coinage held in bank vaults. >>

Banks don't hold excess coinage in their vaults, they send it back to the local Fed branch.

beartracks42 · February 21, 2010 5:35AM

<< Quality, designs, quality-designs >>

They totally spurn originality from their designers/sculptures.

Gary

buffalohunter · February 21, 2010 7:42AM

the greedy clowns dont sell bullion to everyone !

TwoSides2aCoin · February 21, 2010 10:09AM

<< 

<< That we don't have a recall on excess coinage held in bank vaults. >>

Banks don't hold excess coinage in their vaults, they send it back to the local Fed branch. >>

Easy solution. Recall the coins at the FED branches.

DIMEMAN · February 21, 2010 10:38AM

Crappy designs!

And please in that's good and decent "STOP MAKING SATIN FINISH COINS !!!"

itsnotjustme · February 21, 2010 11:01AM

The US Mint has been my friend since 2001.

Buffalo Dollars
CVC $5 Gold
2006 AGE 3 Coin Sets
2006 ASE 3 Coin Sets
2006-W Platinum
2006-W Gold
2008-W Gold
2009 Lincoln rolls

botanist · February 21, 2010 11:06AM

The mint promised to notify potential customers by email of the approaching release of their products, when the customers signed up to be notified, for products which had been scheduled only in a general way, without an exact date, but then the mint failed to send the promised notification.

ChrisRx · February 21, 2010 11:29AM

Poor quality control.

Spiff · February 21, 2010 1:06PM

order an item 2 months in advance so i can qualify for a FS coin and then having it delivered 2 days AFTER thed eadline date . Example my first UHR..

kimber45ACP · February 22, 2010 1:53AM

bureaucracy

messydesk · February 22, 2010 2:58AM

Vapid artwork.

blue594 · February 22, 2010 3:08AM

I also think the designs are lacking.
The reverse of the 1 oz. Plat is definetly not on par with previous issues.
I like Commemoratives, but the Boy Scout Commem has really turned me off. The Boy Scout coin has really made me realize that the politically correct, design by committee coins are not for me. They have no long term design appeal.
America the Beautiful Qtrs - too much, too soon.

John

TwoSides2aCoin · February 22, 2010 3:08AM

or on second thought:

"Which modern coins struck for commerce and produced over the past ten years at the U.S. Mint, are difficult to find in pocket change to fill collections with ?

DeepCoin · February 22, 2010 3:24AM

It is AMAZING how many people complain about the designs when the Mint has no control or approval over them. They are just stuck producing what the law requires or the CCAC and Treasury Secretary approve. The Mint director cannot implement a design of his choice.

RWB · February 22, 2010 3:46AM

It is AMAZING how many people complain about the designs when the Mint has no control or approval over them. They are just stuck producing what the law requires or the CCAC and Treasury Secretary approve. The Mint director cannot implement a design of his choice.

The above comment is misleading.

The designs originate in the engraving/design department at the Philadelphia Mint. The artists are given written descriptions and concepts, then research and work from there. In many instances, Congress places restrictions on the designs, so there might be limited creative potential.

By an unknown/informal process several possible designs are selected and presented to the CCAC and to Commission of Fine Arts for their review and non-binding opinions. The designs, both recommended and not recommended, go to the Mint Director for his selection and then to the Treasury Secretary for his final selection. The CCAC has no approval authority.

At any time, the Director can recommend different designs, and the Secretary can reject all proposed designs or recommend a new one.

What's your problem with the US Mint?

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