A review of some recent United States Mint programs underscores how the organization is changing in the 21st century. It is embracing modern minting technology more than ever before. It is becoming more like other world mints as it prepares to issue the first U.S. Mint pop culture coins and medals in 2025 and potentially release its first noncircular coins and medals in 2026. And it also caters increasingly to wealthier collectors with instant rarities only they can afford.
Recent developments include the December 12 auction by Stack’s Bowers of the “230” privy-marked 2024 Flowing Hair gold dollars, which were also the first-struck coins; the 2025 product schedule release; and proposals to issue gold coins and silver medals in 2026 shaped like the Liberty Bell as part of the mint’s extensive semiquincentennial coin program.
Flowing Hair Gold Auction
The December 12 auction held on behalf of the U.S. Mint by Stack’s Bowers Galleries was a numismatic milestone that realized a total of $8.23 million for the “230” privy-marked pieces. It cemented a significant change in the mint’s role in the numismatic market through its continued creation of instant rarities like these coins.
In addition, a bidder paid a remarkable $440,000 for the first struck example, accompanied by the die used to strike the coin. This was the third-highest price ever paid at auction for a modern U.S. coin. The two higher-valued pieces are the two known examples of the 1975 “No S” proof dime that sold for $456,000 in 2019 and $506,000 in 2024.
The Stack’s Bowers auction cemented the U.S. Mint’s role in the numismatic market through its continued creation of instant rarities.
The remaining 229 coins also fetched remarkable price levels, including about $25,000-$30,000 for examples that were graded Professional Coin Grading Service Proof (PF)-69 and from $30,000 to $45,000 for most of the examples graded PF-70, except for the final coin, which brought $90,000.
A debate is emerging about whether the U.S. Mint should have sold these pieces this way as opposed to mixing them in with the non-privy ones, as was done with the silver medals. While many understand the mint’s impulse to maximize its profits, these releases and how they are being distributed is alienating many collectors.
For example, many numismatic bloggers have noted in recent weeks that the majority of the very valuable privy medals selling for upwards of $4,000 appear to have ended up in dealer hands, including those 230 with signed certificates.
2025 Products
The first thing you are likely to notice about next year’s release schedule is that it only includes one commemorative program in 2025 for the United States Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary. Those coins will kick off on January 2 and include the normal trio of a clad half dollar, silver dollar, and gold $5 pieces.
By law, Congress can authorize two programs per year, but similar to 2023 when there were no commemorative coin programs, Congress only managed to get the Marine Corps program enacted for next year out of the many pending proposals.
Silver Eagles debut in January with bullion coins and the West Point proofs, while special proof silver Eagles for the Army and Navy that are believed to be privy marked are coming in the summer and fall, respectively.
Summer also includes new American Liberty high-relief gold coins and an accompanying silver medal. Also soon to be released are gold coins and 2.5-ounce silver medals for Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman in the fall. Over the next three years, the U.S. Mint will continue to issue superhero-themed pieces, which are already widely issued by various private and world mints.
Liberty Bell
A month ago, Nicole Mallioyakis (R-NY) introduced a bill in the House of Representatives for a 2026 commemorative coin program featuring coins shaped like the famous Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.
In addition to gold coins, the mint would produce a silver dollar and a proof 5-ounce silver piece. A silver proof commemorative of this size was only issued once before in 2019 as part of the 50th anniversary Apollo 11 program. The obverse of each piece would depict the bell, while the reverse features Independence Hall.
In an unusual move, the gold coins would be denominated $25 rather than $5, and both silver coins (silver dollars and proof 5-ounce) $2.50 instead of $1. There would also be clad quarter dollars rather than halves.
According to recent reporting in the numismatic press, the mint produced a similar proposal, except it would feature only $250 1-ounce and $125 half-ounce gold coins and silver medals with the Liberty Bell shape and design.
However this is eventually done, these pieces are likely to be popular with collectors. They also represent a major shift for the U.S. Mint, since they would be the first non-round coins and medals it has ever issued.