Collectors may want to gird for an onslaught. I say that based on the passing last week of former President Jimmy Carter. Carter set many records in his life including being the oldest surviving president, living to age 100. Part of his background was a parallel to that of Abe Lincoln. He came from next-to-nothing as a lowly peanut farmer, living in a simple home, ascended to the Georgia Governor’s Mansion and then the White House. He embodied the American Dream.
Carter was the nation’s 39th president – a term surrounded by both triumph and discord. Politics being what it is, many did not agree with his Democrat policies. It was Carter that decided and declared the US would not participate in the 1980 Summer Olympics. With more than a little irony, that decision was based on Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan. Guess who invaded next?....
There were also notable negative economic issues during Carter’s tenure. While in office, inflation hit over 13 percent and interest rates soared.
More positively, it was Carter who created and hammered out the “Camp David Accord” between Israel and Egypt. At the urging of Carter’s wife Rosalynn, intractable enemies Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Menachim Begin of Israel finally agreed to meet at Camp David in Maryland. They consented to discussing what seemed to be an impossible peace. After 13 interminable days, the parties agreed to “peace in the Middle East.” That amity still stands today. Carter had done what was said to be impossible.
While there were other downs and ups of Carter’s brief, one-term presidency, his down-to-earth folksy way, along with his colorful family, including young daughter Amy, brother Billy (of Billy Beer fame) and mother Lillian, captivated the country.
Since his death, what is guaranteed to now follow is a variety of collectible tribute mementos issued by the US Mint; US Postal Service; and various private companies.
First out of the chute will be commemorative medals struck by the Mint bearing Carter’s portrait on the front and presidential seal on the reverse. One version was already made a few years ago in sequence of his time in office. The Mint offers that on its website at: www.USMint.gov. A newer medal from the Mint will soon follow.
By this spring, Carter’s coin in the ongoing Presidential Golden Dollar coin series will be for sale in rolls or bags. It will feature a portrait of Carter on the front with his dates of service as president. The reverse will show the Statue of Liberty and the $1 denomination.
In the past I’d just casually mention the coin as informational. That’s because previously issued coins were always readily available for purchase. Not anymore.
The Mint has a new website showing far fewer previously issued such coins. In fact, the George H.W. Bush coin is the only Presidential Golden Dollar still available – and now only in a box of 250 coins. All previous presidential golden dollars have been removed. I don’t say this to advocate sales. Rather, because the coins are not available in banks or elsewhere, those wishing any coins will need to order them from the Mint sooner than later.
A US postage stamp honoring Jimmy Carter may or may not be in the postal queue for issuance anytime soon. However, a South Korean stamp featuring his portrait alongside former South Korean President Park Chung Hee was issued way back in 1979. A US stamp is surely on the horizon.
A few creative collectors have been able to cajole living presidents and other luminaries into signing special envelopes. Some collectors are wise enough to have an envelope canceled in a town or city closely connected to the person they hope will autograph it.
Those envelopes were then sent to President Carter with a very nice letter. He not only signed them, so did Rosalynn and Carter’s mother Lillian. Are they valuable? To a degree. They may bring $100 or so. But, there can now never be any more so the future value is promising.
Beyond that, what a great conversation piece and addition to any collection of presidential memorabilia. Best of all, the original cost was less than a dollar. Any peanut farmer would appreciate that.
For more collecting information and advice, log on to: http://prexford.com/.