Mertz’s Mindful Approach to Mintage Figures
MAKING ACCESS EASY AND AFFORDABLE
Seizing the opportunity to learn — whether in starting something new or seeking to complete a task or invest time and energy into an interest one holds in high regard, often results in forwarding progress, but not without tremendous effort and commitment.
For life-long coin collector, Robert Mertz, owner of Mertz Coins™, the excitement of discovering new information, considering different perspectives, assisting others, and creating
Learning is not attained by chance it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.”
— Second First Lady of the United States, ABIGAIL ADAMS
resources to serve the numismatic community, are all part of how he uses what he learns. The latest such endeavor is Mertz Coins Pocket Book Directory of Mintage Figures™.
The idea to create a reference for numismatists to quickly and easily access coin mintage figures grew out of Mertz’s own wish to have something he could use, regardless of where he was, he said about the affordably priced pocket-sized reference.
The guide contains mintage figures for the full series of general circulation, proof and bullion U.S. coins issued since 1792. Each currency is listed by date and mintmark. A couple of things to keep in mind, Mertz explained, is that the Mertz Coins Mintage Directory™, at 272 pages, does not include commemorative coins and medallions, and there is no pricing.
“Prices change constantly and often so rapidly that no printed publication can keep up with these rapid and continual changes, no matter their frequency,” Mertz said. “Further, there are numerous sources that contain an assortment of wholesale, retail, sight seen and unseen prices plus other criteria.”
Additional stand-out features of the guide are full-color photos of coins and the cost of the Directory. The retail price is $9.95, with the company offering wholesale pricing as well. As Mertz explained, the goal is to get this valuable information into people’s hands as easily and affordably as possible.
The first edition of Mertz Coins Pocket Book Directory of Mintage Figures™ was published in 2019. As sales of the Directory continue, Mertz and team are eyeing a second edition, which will be published upon sell-thru of the first edition, Mertz added. He also plans to include in the second edition, rankings of coins by mintage. The addition is to assist readers with quickly assessing the
rarity of each coin within a coin type.
During a year such as 2020, which has been uncommon, to say the least, and often rife with uncertainty, having always done business entirely online has allowed Mertz and his team to maintain stheir routine on the work front. Additionally, this unusual year has seen record-setting pricing within the precious metals market. As such, it has prompted increased inquiry in the services Mertz and companies such as his provide.
In addition to the Mertz Coins Mintage Directory™, Mertz Coins™ services include Mertz Coins Monthly Investment Fund™. Through this service, collectors and people seeking investment opportunities, are provided with a safe, easy, and disciplined way to build a portfolio of premium investment coins, Mertz said. The coins, he explained, are hand-picked and selected to yield long-term appreciation not only for the collector or investor but also for future generations.
It’s been 65 years since Mertz began collecting and learning about coins. That kind of time provides a lot of opportunities to learn what works, what maybe doesn’t, and what others are looking for and need when it comes to collecting and investing. That’s how the two primary aspects of his business came to be, out of observing and learning about the goals of fellow collectors and devising ways and means to support them in those endeavors.
Although the business’ day-today operation requires much of his focus, he’s never far from the impetus of everything he does, serving the heart of a collector.
Just as Mertz began working in the coin industry professionally in 2000, he assembled a complete set of lustrous, white slabbed Morgan dollars all graded MS64 or better, except for the wildly elusive 1901P, which had a grade of MS63.
He also incorporated his cherished Morgan silver dollars in the start-up of his business, buying more than 10,000 MS64 and MS65 Morgan dollars to sell wholesale to fellow dealers.
Today, whether he’s discussing with a client the investment potential of coins, working with his team on the next edition of Mertz Coins Mintage Directory™, or studying examples of his favorite coin, at the core of Mertz’s work is learning and putting to good use the information and experiences he’s gained.