To add complaints about the US Mint, tag your future article Complaints Department- US MINT.

 

Well, well, well. Several days ago the less than 10,000 set mintage gold four-coin set came out (too expensive for our britches). But that is not the reason we are here.

The reason we are here is to throw stuff at one aspect of the US Mint- inflation...

In 2020, the prices began to rise to new highs. The proof set prices went upwards to compete with Littleton's sky-high prices. Silver sets rose and went up and down as the market flucated during the shutdown. Not bad. Most collectors could deal with the inflation. Many of us went onto the ANA site to complain. The most notable rise was the 3-inch copper medal price hike, with a rise from $30 to a grand total of $120. Calculating percentage, the price went up 400%, while other items at the mint lingered around a 50% price hike. Bronze isn't that valuable. So what is it?

In 2021, the US Mint punished unruly collectors (I have the feeling the US Mint runs through our blogs) by, surprise, hiking the sky-high prices once again. The Tuskegee Airmen NHS quarter 5-oz silver rose from just under 200 to 220. The Silver proof set reached all new ridiculousness. The set retained its 2020 price. However, there was less silver, due only one ATB design, and the Crossing the Delaware design. Less Silver should mean lower price. Were did less silver become inversely related with cost? IDK. And yet, what continues to bewilder me is that EVERYTHING is bound to sell out. These new folks with no experience in actual collecting should have been shopping in 2019 with us, when the prices were much more reasonable.

Sigh, why?

One theory could be that the US Mint is trying to take advantage of the new "collectors" that have entered the world of Numismatics for investment. The US Mint's first target for inflation was the American Gold and Silver Eagles. Then that same crowd got interested in precious metal medals. And the US Mint realized they weren't making money off the old prices. In one roll, WHOOMP. Prices went up 400% on the medals.

Another theory I am circulating is that this is a strategy to lower the national debt, which, despite both parties' efforts, is going nowhere but up at an exponential rate. The current nation debt is $28, 062, 352, 900, 126 (which will be over 49 trillion in 4 years at current rates). And the US is only collecting 3 trillion in tax revenue right now. With the raised prices, this could be were the money used right now is going, to lower the national debt. Then again, the gold in Fort Knox was spent years ago to lower the debt. So that could explain the lower mintage/limit numbers on certain products.

What do ya'll think, let me know below! Thanks, and see you later!

 

Please ask Numimaster (Preston) for link. I have been providing the editing Link.

Link to Centsearcher's Loupe Newsletter. On his behalf, I am asking for subscribers. It is completely free. -www.numismastery.weebly.com

 

Guess the Song Lyrics- Last Week: Don't Stop Believin'- Journey

Almost heaven, ...
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze

...

All my memories gather 'round her
Miner's lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye

...

I hear her voice in the mornin' hour, she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
Drivin' down the road, I get a feelin'
That I should've been home yesterday, yesterday