The E-Sylum:  Volume 5, Number 9, February 24, 2002, Article 11

U.S. MINT FINE ARTS MEDALLION SERIES

  Larry Dziubek asked: "I was surprised that the US gold
  "Fine Arts" series is not shown in the Redbook. What is
  the logic?  I wondered if they issued any in 1978, but I
  think they were in 83-84.   These were the 1oz. and half
  oz gold of such people as Steinbeck, Alex Calder, Louie
  Armstrong, etc. -  six or eight varieties in all.  I don't think
  they had legal tender status, but should be listed in the
  bullion section of the Redbook."

  To be honest, I wasn't paying much attention to mint
  products in the 80's.  A search for "Fine Arts" on the
  Mint web site turned up empty.  So for an answer I turned
  to Redbook editor Ken Bressett, noting : "Are these medals?
  If so, that would explain why they're not in the Redbook."

  Ken Bressett replied: "You guessed this one right. The "Fine
  Arts" series are gold medals.  They were made at a time when
  the government was still not able to make bullion coins, but
  wanted to have gold available for people to purchase. The
  medals were made at the U.S. Mint, and they are very
  attractive, and have a small following among collectors. They
  featured famous American "heroes" of the Arts.

  I am very aware of these medals, and have often been asked
  (and even tempted) to include some kind of a listing of them
  in the Red Book.  They are Mint made, and certainly are
  collected, and valuable. BUT, they are not coins, and as such
  I do not want to clutter the book with any more such things.
  As you know there are already too many pseudo coins listed
  in the book out of tradition."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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