This week, the U.S. Mint sent me an email asking if I would complete an online survey about their "exciting" new silver medals planned for 2025. As an avid collector of the Mint's silver medals, such as the armed forces and Presidential silver medals, I decided to complete the survey. Unfortunately, these new proposed products turned out to be silver medals depicting current pop singers and DC Comics superheroes...
When the survey specifically asked why I wouldn't be buying the proposed 2025 "Selena" medal, I explained:
"Issuing medals of pop singers and comic book characters cheapens the U.S. Mint's integrity and brings it down to the level of private mass-marketed bullion manufacturers. I believe a vast majority of U.S. Mint collectors will vehemently avoid such trend-targeted junk. Does the U.S. Mint also plan to hire hip social-media influencers to promote this garbage? I will stop collecting U.S. Mint products if it proceeds with such plans. There are so many legitimate historic and patriotic subjects that can be used for U.S. coins and medals."
Sorry if any of you are Selena fans.