US mint gold medals-Grant Wood

Ahrensdad · April 22, 2010 11:51PM

I think these were issued in the early to mid 80's. The mint had a gold medal series that lasted a very short time. Can anyone share their knowledge of these. Are they collectable?

Thanks
Andrew

jmcu12 · April 22, 2010 11:59PM

They come into the shop that I work at somewhat regularly - they are 90% gold (corrected).

As far as collectibility I have not had anyone ask for them specifically but that does not mean anything - I think they are neat and it would cool to have a set of them but other than that, since they are only bullion medals, I would say they have a low demand.

Robb · April 23, 2010 12:05AM

Most sale for bullion rates. There is a section on them in Red Book.

CaptHenway · April 23, 2010 12:06AM

They are .900 fine coin gold, made from U.S. coins melted down in the 1930s. They weigh a little over so that the net weights are a half ounce and one ounce exactly.

I own a set, and have sold a couple of sets to collectors. I got them into the Redbook a couple of years ago, which should have helped their collectibility, but they were taken back out after the one year. Don't know if they will return. As of now the demand for them is very low.

TD

jmski52 · April 23, 2010 12:07AM

They were issued from 1980 or 1981 through 1984. The John Steinbeck 1/2 oz. is the scarcest I believe. These medals were the first gold issued by the US after Roosevelt's ban on ownershop of gold was lifted (around 1976 or so) and they were the precursors to the American Gold Eagle program. The 1984 $10 Olympic Gold Half Eagles were the first actual coins minted after the ban was lifted, and were also precursors the the AGE program.

FredWeinberg · April 23, 2010 12:42AM

I just sold four complete sets, in the original
mint boxes, for melt.

I tried for a few weeks to get a few points over
spot because of the last few issues were a bit
lower mintage compared to the first years.

1. At this Gold spot area ($1,000+), these medals,
and many many gold coins, have simply lost
their premium. Others, like the bullion-type items
sold by marketers (like $20's and Euro gold coins)
have surprisingly built a premium that didn't exist
when gold hit $800+ 30 years ago.

2. The Redbook has removed a few other pages this
year, as space/page issues come up against costs
and retail pricing of the book.

In any case, I like the American Arts Medallian program
a little bit, mainly because they are 'different'. If they
had a denomination back when they were issued,
it would be a good series, imo.

CaptHenway · April 23, 2010 1:07AM

Fred makes an excellent point. At $300 gold these were cute. At $1150 gold they ain't so cute.
TD

KISHU1 · April 23, 2010 1:20AM

I buy them all the time and they are only worth melt. No collector base for these coins

Frank

TomB · April 23, 2010 6:58AM

Locally I can get these for 98% of melt.

coindeuce · April 23, 2010 7:24AM

Some faction of Congress got all sentimental about the concept of an American Artist series of Gold medals in 1980, and when the Mint Director got wind of it, he fought it vehemently. Obviously he lost out to special interests.

MsMorrisine · April 23, 2010 7:34AM

which year of the RedBook are they in?

ernie11 · April 23, 2010 8:04AM

they were only listed in the 2009 edition, only for 1 year.

I bought a few of the Steinbeck's back when they came out for a now-good price, since gold wasn't that high. However, there is no demand for these, so I hold until them and hope someday they will.

US mint gold medals-Grant Wood

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