eletters Nov. 10, 2020

From the Oct. 16 Numismatic News e-Newsletter

Should the U.S. Mint be doing more to facilitate support of the country’s charitable organizations?

Here are some answers from our e-Newsletter readers.

No. The U.S. Mint shouldn’t be in the business of marketing for or financially supporting charities. Charities should be supported by the public, not the government.

Name and address withheld

No. I don’t believe the U.S. Mint should be supporting charities. They should support things like the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress, the VA, NSF youth initiatives, Head Start, the Post Office, etc.

Wayne Wheeler
Address withheld

I am not aware of the U.S. Mint’s involvement in charitable organizations.

However, anything and any support it can provide to these type of entities is more than welcome and very important. This way you kill two birds with one stone. Give and then you will receive back. Getting more people into numismatics is a win/win situation. Even low-income people and the uneducated can enter into the coin “business.”

Becoming more knowledgeable of something interesting and culturally gratifying is an asset to any individual.

Miguel A. Casellas Sastre
San Juan, Puerto Rico

First, for decades, some nations via respective stamp issues have “charity stamps,” with part of the charge for a specific charity. New Zealand has had “health stamps” and the United States has the “breast cancer.” They are both nice and noble issues.

Second, who or what decides what charity or cause? That is the issue. If Congress becomes involved, then it becomes a political “pork-barrel” or an advantage for a candidate’s re-election. Both scenarios are at the expense of the coin hobbyist.

Third, while the nobility and intention may be provocative, the real issue is that American coin hobbyists have abandoned and distanced themselves from the United States Mint, which over 40 years since the return of commemorative coinages, has become the “world’s largest coin dealer.”

Lastly, the charges and costs would only be increased, adding surcharges. This adds to the problem that most all U.S. Mint issued products are too expensive, period.

In conclusion, let the U.S. Mint submit, via a Friday Numismatic News Poll Question, suggestions about charities and ascertain the responses.

Michael S. Turrini
Vallejo, Calif.