Yesterday, the United States Mint began accepting orders for 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins. The highly anticipated program drove strong opening sales across the available uncirculated and proof $5 gold coins, silver dollars, and clad half dollars. Each coin features the design of a glove on one side and a baseball on the other, with the coins minted in an innovative curved shape.
Opening sales figures provided by the US Mint show sales of 26,798 proof and 14,999 uncirculated $5 gold coins. This makes for a total of 41,797 from the 50,000 maximum mintage. The coins were subject to a household ordering limit of 50 coins for each version.
The US Mint’s website is currently showing both $5 gold coins under “waiting list” status. A notice indicates that the coins have received orders to account for the entire 50,000 maximum mintage. Orders may still be placed for the coins, but these will be for a waiting list. If a product becomes available due to a cancellation, orders will be fulfilled from the waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis.
The opening sales figures for the silver dollars were 108,164 proofs and 48,511 uncirculated coins. This makes for a total of 156,675 coins from the 400,000 maximum mintage.
The clad half dollars had opening sales of 43,376 proofs and 29,978 uncirculated coins, for a total of 73,354 out of the 750,000 maximum mintage.
The ordering limits for the silver dollars and half dollars were both 100 coins per version per household. The ordering limits will be evaluated on a regular basis and potentially removed or adjusted.
Leading up to the start of sales, the US Mint held an official launch ceremony for the coins at the Main Hearing Room of the Senate Agricultural Committee in Washington, D.C. Attendees included the Chairman and President from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, United States Treasurer Rosie Rios, and Hall of Fame members Brooks Robinson and Joe Morgan.
The US Mint also had a limited number of the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins available at their booth at the Whitman Coin and Collectible Spring Expo held at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
Photos provided by the United States Mint from each of the events are included below.
Baseball Hall of Fame member Brooks Robinson and United States Mint Deputy Director Dick Peterson. United States Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
Baseball Hall of Fame member Joe Morgan and Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios. United States Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart with coin. United States Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
People wait in line to purchase 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins at the Whitman Coin and Collectible Spring Expo at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. United States Mint photo by Lateefah Simms.
Cole Bank, a 12 year old from Vienna, Virginia with his 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin at the Whitman Coin and Collectible Spring Expo. United States Mint photo by Lateefah Simms.
On ebay yesterday Thursday March 27, 2014 @ 10:23:23 AM PDT, a 2014-W National Baseball Hall of Fame Gold Proof Five Dollar Coin sold for $620.95 although gold coins have not actually been shipped out yet from the U.S. Mint. The proof gold coin’s original introductory price was $424.75. That means an instant windfall profit of $196.20 (i.e., 46.2% profit) on the very first day that the gold coin was released. Yesterday the U.S. Mint’s website had online customers queued into their Waiting Room. After waiting customers were admitted into the catalog ordering area, the website was very slow and unresponsive. It took me over an hour to get a response that my order was finally accepted. The telephone line to the U.S. Mint was worse by being jammed for hours.
Once again, the US Mint web site was a complete disaster (ref 2011 – Silver Eagle Anniversary). The limits per household were too high, should have been five per household until after 30 days, then open imposed limits to 10, 50 and 100. At least then average “collector” would have a fighting chance to obtain a coin(s) fairly. What I fear is that the US Mint sold out the general public, once again, only to create revenue and buzz. Yes, the coins sold, product was moved…but to whom? I’d like to know what wizard is behind the curtain and show the public what percentage of coins went to “high quantity” customers to those who only wanted one? Seems to me that coin collecting is escaping the collector and fleeing to the entrepreneur…saddening.
Count your blessings. It’s not 1936 and you’re not dealing with Thomas G. Melish……….
Brooks.. wow, what a change. Joe.. does he ever change? Rosie.. can sign my slab anytime!
On ebay Saturday March 29, 2014 @ 06:23:32 AM PDT, a 2014-W National Baseball Hall of Fame Gold Proof Five Dollar Coin sold for $748.00. The gold proof coin’s introductory price was $424.75 from the U.S. Mint. That translates to a quick windfall profit of $323.25 (i.e., 76.1% Gain) in just three days.
The U.S. Mint’s website now shows the gold baseball coins as being Sold Out.
I lost track of time, and wanted to place my order at 12: 00 ET.When I logged on the mint site 4 min late I was placed in the waiting room,with a 1 1/2 hour wait.I picked up the phone,and after 15 min of hitting the redial button I was able to place an order for 1 gold proof,and 1 silver proof baseball HOF. The point is the small collector can still compete. You just have to time it, and keep trying.
Tuesday afternoon April 01, 2014 @ 16:10:52 PDT, ebay Item #251492738638 which was an ungraded 2014-W National Baseball Hall of Fame Gold Proof Five Dollar Coin sold for $860.00. Earlier that same Tuesday morning April 01, 2014 @ 06:25:38 PDT, ebay Item #331166000737 which was a PCGS graded perfect PR70DCAM First Strike and First Pitch Baltimore labeled U.S. Mint 2014-W National Baseball Hall of Fame Proof $5 Gold Coin sold for an incredible $5,000.
Gold Baseball Coin,, ya crazy numbers, I am getting 2 and a very doubtful 3rd gold coin. But not until 6/21 and the cancel box has been removed on one of the coins. Pretty sad because PCGS 1st strike cut off is 6/1.. Once again the little guy gets the shaft by the mint. I’ll keep my fingers cross for an earlier ship date. PCGS really has no heart and they should be looking the bought date…. But money talks and I don’t have a big stack like the big dealers.