Sales Ending for D.C. & U.S. Territories First Day Coin Covers
Next week on June 30, 2010 at 5:00 PM ET, the United States Mint will conclude sales of the 2009 District of Columbia & U.S. Territory Quarters First Day Coin Covers.
All six of the covers are still available for sale currently, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Each cover is priced at $14.95 each.These products may be worth a look since they represent the last First Day Coin Covers produced for quarters for the foreseeable future. The US Mint previously confirmed that they will not be creating similar products for the new America the Beautiful Quarters Program. This final year of covers also marks an improvement in design from the somewhat bland template used for the State Quarter covers. Finally, the covers boast relatively low production runs, as compared to the Presidential Dollar and State Quarters Coin Covers.
The Presidential Dollar Coin Covers have sold as many as 50,000 units for the initial releases of the series. Current releases have shown a decline in popularity, but still top more than 20,000 units each. The earliest State Quarter Coin Covers sold 100,000 per state before descending to lower levels. I wasn't table to find any sales figures for the later years of the series, but this old Mint News Blog post has some interim sales figures for the 2007 covers, showing sales above 20,000 for each state.
The last reported sales figures for the DC & U.S. Territories covers are included below. These numbers include sales through June 20, 2010. This week's full sales report is available on Coin Update News.
| DC & US TERRITORIES COIN COVERS | |
| District of Columbia | 20,009 |
| Puerto Rico | 16,943 |
| Guam | 13,420 |
| American Samoa | 11,821 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 10,665 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | 10,187 |
The figures above should place the total sales solidly below even the lowest production State Quarter and Presidential Dollar Coin Covers. Time will tell whether these low numbers will create a new allure for these covers on the secondary market.
Recently completed eBay auction show some of the tougher to find State Quarter First Day Coin Covers selling around $30 to $40 each. About a year ago, I recall some covers selling for more than $100 each. On the low end of the spectrum, some of the high production covers sell for as little as $4 or $5 each. It bears mentioning that there seems to be somewhat of a thin market for these covers at present. Most are listed for sale with fixed Buy It Now prices and the sell through rate is low.
There may already be some measure of speculation taking place for the DC & U.S. Territory covers. Ever since the US Mint announced the impending conclusion of the offering, the pace of sales has increase to 100 or more covers per location per week. In the last week nearly 200 covers were sold for each location . Prior to the announcement, sales had been running about 30-40 per week for most issues.
Labels: Coin Covers, DC US Territories Quarters
posted by Mint News Blog @ 10:57 AM
34 Comments:
I like these covers. Of the six designs, I like Puerto Rico the best (since it is a photo very similar to the quarter itself), and I also like Guam (the aerial view of the island is nice). All six of them are very nice-looking, though.
I still wish the Mint had continued the covers using this style for the "America the Beautiful" series. The collector-created covers are nice-looking, and show what "could have been" had the Mint done them. The limit could have been set at 15,000 units per cover, and in a year's time most if not all of them would likely have sold. I guess the Mint deemed it was not worth the time and effort to do so, however. It's a shame.
Any idea why the Mint didn't decide to end the sales of the 2009 Presidential Dollar covers on June 30th as well? Last year all of the remaining 2008 covers went off-sale on June 30th, both quarters and dollars.
At the rate they're selling, it will pretty much be a repeat of the scenario involving the 50 State Quarters covers dating back to 1999 that languished in the catalog for years before finally being taken off-sale (or put out of their misery is more like it) in December 2007!
Correction, make that December 2008. My bad.
Anyone have any idea who produced the covers for the US Mint? With the Mint no longer offering the covers, I'm sure the 3rd party who produced them would be willing to either sell the rights or look for other players like Franklin or Danbury mint.
I just checked AMPEX. They have the 5 ounce silver quarters on their site, but not on sale yet. Does anyone know when they are going to be released?
Just my 2 cents but two quarters for $14.95 is downright highway robbery.
I'm glad they took these off sale and did not offer them for the state park quarters.
To Anon @ 2:14 PM. Just finished looking at APMEX. The sale date should be soon, but I think their website update has more to do with the very recent announcement of APMEX as an authorized purchaser and re-seller of Mint Silver Bullion. This new program represents their first shot at "The Show," so they want to establish their position early.
Interestingly enough, either APMEX doesn't know a whole lot about this bullion program yet , or the program has changed. As of 11:45 PM EDT, APMEX has the detailed description for each coin as a $1 denomination with a 40.6 mm diameter.
Even APMEX is holding out hope for Proof and Burnished ASE coins in 2010!!!
NEWS FLASH !!! 2010 D nickels just hit ebay.No mintage recorded yet.
The ol' proof buffalo is really slowing down with mint sales showing 19,519. Price has to be a big drag on this baby. Its way out of range for too many collectors and may soon be just a rich man's collectable. Leaving the clad money and presidential tokens for the pedestrian collector. Its too bad the mint didn't have the ability and foresight to keep at least a 1/4 oz. buff available. But I understand there is a gold shortage and the 1 oz. is mandated by law.
Maybe the Mint will cut off the 2010 Proof Buffalo at 25,000 coins, creating somewhat of a repeat of the 2008 scenario. That would lead to higher sales of the 2011's (and subsequent burning of buyers on the secondary market), thus making the 2012 a lower-sales coin.
I said it a while back, and I'll say it again. When it comes to gold Buffalos, the even-numbered years are your best bet.
As to $14.95 being highway robbery, I can only relate in regards to my own experience in making first day coin covers.
The production of the actual cachets as well as the nice inner sleeve the quarters are in (and easily rotates) is surprisingly expensive if you want it to look nice (i.e. like the DC and Terrority FDCCs). Think about prototypes, design, paper quality, coin holders, punching the holes just right, putting it all together, etc.
On top of that, you have to get them postmarked AT a relative location ON the first day of release. In my specific case, getting just a hundred of these to the appropriate person who will go and get them stamped at the appropriate location AT the appropriate time takes a lot of time, money, and logistics. Not to mention, making sure the postmarks are easily visible (which I personally failed take into account with my last cover).
And in the Mint's case, they could also guarantee that the quarters themselves were first day of mintage.
With that said, when you pay $14.95 for that FDCC, you're not just paying for two quarters. You are paying for A WHOLE LOT else. And personally, I think $14.95 is a steal.
I actually also do think it a great deal, and I did pick them up when first released. And if your luck doubles you could get some nice mint quality coins without too many blemishes. That said, this excessive bashing of the mint is getting a wee bit old. I have done very well with the very little I purchase, and I really do like the coins and the designs. The profit is peripheral since I collect. Lets all cheer up and look ahead to some nice new releases from the mint!
To commenter above the mint bashing by commenters here is just a reflection of the Mint commissions who have complained of shoddy design, quality, lack of imagination, and literal representations instead of symbolic to name a few. I believe there was a concern the Mint was also selectively omitting designs for the commissions to review. These commissions are not just all shoe salesman (no disrespect intended to shoe salesman). They are art experts, historians, and numismatic experts. The Mint has problems but as the commenter also implied watch for coins you really like and get them. There may still be a few here and there that are worth having.
I think for anyone to just go after US coins only is missing out on a world of great designs.I think back to the days of the actual coin and design selling it self.Now we live in a world of mass marketing experts that use any form possible to enhance designs and give the story on history.
It used to be you would read about the history in encyclopedias.Those days are also gone with the advent of the internet.I think the first day covers do the coins justice.I collect them in key date only coins later when you can actually pick them up for much less money.
When it gets down to it.Clad is Clad and only worth the circulating monetary value.Numismatically they may be worth a bit more if slabbed and graded.But I must say that I do question the term first day strike of any coin.
If you know just how many coins are struck in one day at any mint on circulating coins.There is no possible way to say that a first day strike will be a better strike then a second day strike.To better understand this.It is easy for the unknowing to assume that they are better strike.But the facts are that though out a full day.Dies ware down and produce less brilliant and defining strikes.
I think it's best to just go after what floats your boat.If someone says you paid to much.It is only because it didn't float their boat.Coin success has always been relative to attraction.I say pick your attraction and go for it and pay what you feel makes you happy.
There are to many people out there these days dogging each other out over a simple difference in opinion.No respect any more for a mans right to choose.Coin collecting can be a great fun hobby.So go after your dream collection and show respect for others going after theirs.
Does anyone know anything about the Republic of Texas mint? Republic of Texas website:
http://www.texasrepublic.info/
They have issued a 1 oz. medallion (which looks pretty neat to me) for 35 bucks plus 10 for shipping.
They call it a proof coin althouth their picture doesn't look proof. Please note the website is made to look like something related to official Texas gov't. They give an address of 1105 Lawndale Ave. Victoria, TX but no phone #. If anyone has any info about OFFICIAL state mediallions or coins recently issued please share your experiance with them. Didn't Montana and one of the Carolinas issue something like a coin or medallion?
So readers that get all worked up over TPG & First Strike labels, check out the completed listings on the National Park quarters. PCGS is doing a first strike label, and the silver 2010's in PF70 are going for $700...
John
Just shows the ignorance of buyers IMO.If you take that first strike bullcrap label off.What do you have. One quarter.Yet people seem to be hypnotized by NGC and PCGS lies and all out deceit.There is NO POSSIBLE WAY to say the coins are first struck coins.Read the US Mint site and you will see that fact.This is just a way for the authorized dealers who are currently being investigated for wrong doing in the coin industry to be hand fed mass produced bulk grading that rips off ignorant buyers.Pure and simple.IT'S A SCAM and a disgrace to the coin hobby.
I wonder if the poor idiot who bought those quarters for 700.00 bucks will realize one day that all he has is silver value that will never equal 700.00.It amazes me how PCGS has the nerve to sue dealers when they are the pot calling the kettle black.Just go look at PCGS price guides and you'll get a very good indication of just how they operate with their lies about value.They have taken a once trusting affordable hobby and turned it into a joke.I say boycott all TPGs.
Agree, these first strike and early release labels are a gimmick that has caught on unfortunately. No one knows whether those coins were struck on the first day or some weeks later and set on a mint shelf until the release date. One hundred and forty years ago people wanted snake oil so someone sold it. I guess its just giving the buyers what they THINK they want.
PCGS is guilty. Makes sense to boycott them. "First Strike" is a lie!
Nothing wrong with NGC "early release". It may not matter at all with regard to strike quality, but it is a true statement.
I used to think PCGS was the premier grading company, but the untrue "First Strike" label convinces me PCGS are not to be trusted with my business!
IMO there are two people the coin world could do without.David Hall and Mr Moy.If you put to small horns on top of David Halls head.Then you would see just how much he is the devil of the coin world.If you put hooves on Mr Moy's feet.Then you would see the ass end of the devil.
Collectively,these two people IMO have completely ruined the coin hobby from what it was in the 60s,70,80s and in earlier years before they were even around.I say fire David Hall and replace him with Mr Bowers.Fire Mr Moy and replace him with Paul McCartney.Then we might see some direct honesty with a flair for great designs again.
"What is the difference between a 2010 coin struck on a die used to strike a thousand before it, on January 1st and a coin struck first on a fresh die on December 31st?"
Answer that question and you'll have all the information you need on "First Strike" or anything similar.
It is a gimmick, pushed by the TV show coin hucksters and gaining elsewhere, to part the unknowing with their money.
I'm not angry with someone trying to make a buck, but this is nothing more that a manufactured "perceived" rarity. Look on eBay and see how many times the word "rare" is used just to jack up the price.
As long as people believe they are getting "something more" for their money they will buy. The commenter that used the snake oil analogy is right. Buyer beware.
I believe gimmicks like this damage the hobby in the long run. Someone is going to get stuck without a chair when the music stops. A nice coin should command a fair price, regardless of the day it was minted. I will never pay a premium for anything with "first strike" or "early release" on it. Buy the coin not the plastic.
If any of these covers were to appreciate I believe it will be the Northern Mariana Islands. Not only will it most likely sell the least of these covers, but it's last in the series and I believe the mintage on the quarter itself is the lowest.
Yeah, that might be the case. It would have been better had it stayed below 10,000 units, though. Too many fence-sitters came off at the end though. Darn it.
Whatever the case, the mintage of these covers are much lower than any of the 50 State Quarter covers, and some might want them for a complete 56 cover set of the 1999-2009 covers. There won't be very many of most of the 2009's to go around, especially if most of them sold were to those who don't intend to resell.
I guess we'll see what happens.
Great, another "commercial comment" has been posted here. Man I hate that nonsense!
I think it's possible that these covers might bring 2-3X issue price on the collector market in a short while, after the low sales numbers are locked in. I don't think they will see the really high prices that the Wyoming, Utah and Alaska covers were bringing a while back, but still a pretty nice rate of return.
Of course, I could be wrong!
Which one did you consider a "commercial comment"? Just curious.
Sorry, it was right above that one but has since been removed. It had something to do about buying shoes, with a LOT of blue links!
Normally any comments referring to one that gets removed get removed along with it! :)
Michael,
I'm curious as to when we will see or know what the 2010 nickel mintage might be on the Denvers.They just came out last Friday and still no word on mintage figures.So far the 2010s are lower then the 2009s.If they do like they did last year and only produce very little.2009s may get beat out on mintage by 2010s.If you know anything I don't.Please share or do a new post on the 2010 Ds which just came out.
Thanks
The first box of 2010 D nickels just hit ebay for 3500.00 or best offer by a yellow star seller.That is just plain crazy.The mintage would have to be the lowest mintage ever and that isn't gonna happen.The greed involved in this is IMO making the coin hobby a complete mess.The rolls are going between 80.00 and 40.00.Just like the others.They will come down to earth as soon as all the bidiots buy up the the lots and start stepping on each others toes.Happens every time.Sure would like to know that 2010 D nickel mintage is.
"I'm curious as to when we will see or know what the 2010 nickel mintage might be on the Denvers."
The US Mint provides updated production figures during the first week of each month. The last figures available for May still showed zero 2010-D nickels, so production must have finally started during June.
An update should be available late this week or early next.
2010 is the most boring, pointless year of coin cellecting ever......
Try collecting world coins and revive your interests and fun in collecting.That is what I have done and it has been quite fun for me in 2010.The US Mint is not the only place to buy coins.If they choose to make a boring year then why not go else where.
To the US Mint 5:00pm EST is 5:00pm EST - God forbid try placing an order with the Mint at 5:10pm on last day of sale items. It will not go thru, the US Mint will not accept your money. I worked up my order prior to 5:00pm online but did not hit the proceed to checkout till 5:10pm. Customer Services saw my order on their screen but could not finalize the order. With this economy, I can think of a 1000 others that would gladly accept my business.
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