Coins and Stamps: Harrison coin won't be a rarity
Arizona Coin Collector
http://sacbee.com/165/story/1697443.html
Coins and Stamps: Harrison coin won't be a rarity
By Peter Rexford
Published: Saturday, Mar. 14, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 7D
William Henry Harrison is noted for two things - the
longest inauguration speech in history and the
shortest presidency.
Harrison took the oath of office in 1841. His
presidency went south in record time.
The problems began on a cold and blustery day in
March during his inaugural address. Harrison opted
not to wear a coat. His speech lasted an hour and
45 minutes. The next day, he took ill.
A month later, he was dead of pneumonia. Naturally,
not much was accomplished during his presidency.
Still, that doesn't exclude him from appearing on
the latest golden dollar coin just issued by the
U.S. Mint. While achieving the distinction of being
the first U.S. president to die in office, the
Harrison golden dollar contains a feature of
equally notable merit. His is the first golden
dollar to contain the inscription "In God We Trust"
on the face. Previous presidential golden dollars
had the phrase incised on the edge of the coins.
Will that make them rare? Doubtful. They're being
produced in the millions. Still, since Americans
are not accustomed to higher denomination coins,
you may not soon see any in your change, but they
will be available at face value from many banks
or from the Mint. For more information, go to
www.usmint.gov. Click on "$1 Coin Direct Ship."
As I mentioned, the new dollar coins will be
available at face value. That came to mind when I
received a beautifully printed promotional mailer
from a private company whose name ended with
"Mint." No, it wasn't the U.S. Mint.
The advertisement was for rolls of the presidential
dollars in an "elegant display case." The case
does (or will eventually) contain rolls of all
the presidential dollars. By the year 2016 - when
the series is scheduled to end - the subscription
will total 45 rolls each containing 12 of the
golden dollar coins.
But wait! Each shipment contains an additional
dollar coin you can remove and study.
The cost for each roll is $39.90, including shipping.
For all the coins issued, that comes to just over
$1,795. That's for 585 $1 coins available at face
value for $585.
As many coin dealers I've spoken with in the past
have stated, the display case may be nice, but
dealers "don't buy boxes" or pay extra for them. Nor
are they paying a premium over face value for golden
dollar coins.
The ad states that all the coins sold in their rolls
are "uncirculated" and that coins in that condition
have "the greatest value" to collectors. That's
true. However, the coins available at face value
directly from the Mint are also uncirculated.
..
note.boy
second stupidest USA President, sorry George. :-) Billy
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