Baseball has long been considered “America’s Pastime.” Maybe it still is. In sports, each year, two things happen like clockwork. In the fall, baseball boasts the World Series. Ratings show upwards of 16 million people watch the four to seven game series. After that, football takes over. In mid-winter, football hosts the single game Super Bowl. For that, a phenomenal 100 million viewers tune in....
As the world awaits this year’s contest in New Orleans, there, collectibles aplenty will be hawked. Those will include team jerseys; “signed” footballs; reproductions of the coin tossed to decide the kick off; and endless other emblazoned tchotchkes. In less time than it takes to clean up after a Super Bowl party, most of those “priceless” items will be worth only a fraction of what fans pay for them.
Some things that might appear valuable but aren’t include “coins” honoring sports stars. The thing is, to date, no US coin has ever commemorated a baseball, football, tennis, golf or any other professional player. What vendors sell are privately produced medallions. Some of them are quite impressive. But no actual coins are available. To be a coin it must be struck by a recognized government and have a denomination. Serious numismatists rarely pay much attention to medals.
On the flip side, more than a few US postage stamps have featured sports celebrities. In baseball, Jackie Robinson; Babe Ruth; Mickey Mantle; and Hank Aaron are just a few. In all, close to 30 baseball stars have been showcased. Not so for football.
A few football teams and their coaches have appeared on stamps. As for players, Jim Thorpe showed up on one in 1984 as did Knute Rockne in 1988. Otherwise, it’s been a handful of coaches including the legendary Vince Lombardi after whom the Super Bowl trophy is named.
While there are no major rarities among modern sports stamps, a few, such as the Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson stamps, carry a noticeable premium. That’s because, although multiple millions were printed, companies have snapped them up to put into frames. Those are sold to collectors online and at ballparks nationwide. Evidently, they have sold well enough to make those baseball stamps scarce. Dealers now pay a premium for sheets of those stamps.
Unlike regular stamps issued in large numbers, a few stamps of baseball greats can bring up to $100 per sheet of 50. It’s worth checking before merely sticking one on a mailing envelope.
For the past few years, the US has enjoyed a delightful respite from all-out wars or major military engagements. Evening news reports might lead us to believe we are always on the brink. Because of the eternal threat, US troops are continually staged to be ready. Though all branches may argue they are the most vigilant; anyone would have a hard time disputing that of the Marines.
Because Marines are so often seen fighting on land, and the Navy is perceived to control of the seas, the name “Marines” may seem like an oxymoron. Not so. The word "marine" actually comes from the Latin word marinus meaning "of the sea". The Marines often act as a quick response force in association with naval combat. Marines also serve on Navy ships, protect naval bases, and guard U.S. embassies.
Established in 1775 to support the navy during the Revolutionary War, this year marks the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corp. That would be nice for some soldiers. To a Marine, it’s epic.
For the anniversary, the US Mint has created a series of three coins honoring the Marine Corps in clad, silver and gold. The half-dollar copper/nickel clad coin depicts a current-day Marine firing an AR-15 assault rifle next to a Continental Marine with a flint-lock musket. The inscriptions are “250 YEARS OF HONOR, COURAGE, AND COMMITMENT,” “1775 – 2025,” “USMC.”
The dollar coin struck from pure silver features the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima. Inscribed beside it are “1775,” “MARINES,” and “2025.”
Finally, the quarter-ounce gold coin showcases a four-person Marine Corps color guard below the inscriptions “1775,” and “2025.” All three versions include, “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY.” The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem of the Marine Corps is on the reverse.
The coins are available directly from the US Mint individually or in a three-coin set. Prices range from $56 for the half dollar; $91 for the silver dollar and $900 for the gold $5.00 coin. For more information or to order, log onto www.USMint.gov.
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