While the products that the U.S. Mint can offer are restricted to what congress allows them to do by law, it does not mean that congress controls how the U.S. Mint markets and sells its numismatic products. To try to get more people to buy its products, the U.S. Mint has made a series of announcements,
Free is still better
U.S. Mint’s Black Friday and Cyber Week sale of FREE SHIPPING for items sent via standard shipping that was supposed to end at 5:00 PM ET today, December 6th, has been extended to5:00 PM ET on December 17th. The U.S. Mint cited they are doing this for holiday “shoppers seeking online deals and discounts.” December 17 is also the first day of sale of the 2013 Teddy Roosevelt Coins and Chronicles set. Those interested in the Coins and Chronicles set can have it shipped free if they order the set on December 17.
New brick and mortar storefront
Last month, the U.S. Mint “partnered” with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing by cross advertising each other’s products on their websites. Essentially, these Department of the Treasury bureaus created a page on their respective websites pointing to each other.
In a move that those of us with experience working with the Department of the Treasury considers astounding, the public store at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on 14th Street SW in Washington, D.C. will now sell U.S. Mint products. Selling coins and medals at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing store will add a news sales outlet after closing the kiosk at Union Station earlier this year. Visitors to BEP will be able to purchase all of their current numismatic products after taking the fascinating tour of the world’s largest paper currency manufacturer.Credit for this move can probably be given to Deputy Director and Acting Director of the U.S. Mint Richard Peterson, Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Larry Felix, and Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios. What makes this interesting is that Peterson and Felix are career government employees and were not appointed by the President.
Peterson began his work with the U.S. Mint in 2009 when he was hired as their Associate Director of Manufacturing.
Felix, a long-term professional employee of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, has been the bureau’s Director since January 2006.
Although Rios was appointed by President Obama and took office in August 2009, has not been the prototypical political appointee. Rios has been outspoken in her support of the numismatic community and seeks out ways to participate. She is a staple at coin and currency shows autographic Series 2009 $1 Federal Reserve Notes that bear her signature—something she calls “Rosi notes.&rdquots; It would not be surprising to learn she was instrumental in making this cross-bureau initiative happen.
Get your Rosie Dollars autographed
Speaking of Treasurer Rosie Rios, she will be at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing Washington Visitor Center on 14th Street at the corner of C Street. Rios held an autograph session on December 6 and will hold another on Friday, December 20 from 10:00 AM to noon. Although the announcement sent to the press did not mention limits, those managing her appearances usually limits autograph requests to two notes per person.The BEP will allow visitors to exchange notes on site and have a supply of new $100 Federal Reserve Notes to purchase for Rios’s autograph. Having a $100 note autographed by Rios would be interesting. Many people may not spend $100 to set aside for this type of collectible making it possible that it could increase in value. How many speculators will there be at her next autograph session?
Last chance!
As we approach the end of the year, the U.S. Mint announced that they will be ending sales of the 2013 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Program and Girl Scouts of the USA Centennial Silver Dollar. Also on the last chance are 2012 coin sets, 2012 Platinum American Eagles, and 2012 First Spouse coins.