Set Description
The Unique Release Ceremony - 2012 Star Spangled Banner $5 Gold Coins consist of two gold coins issued by the US Mint. The rarity of these coins stems from its pedigree. Both gold coins were purchased at the Official US Mint release ceremony on March 5, 2012 at the Fort McHenry National Monument and National Shrine. The following video was shot at the release ceremony (and I can be seen waiting in line for the purchase).
The medals in this collection are the only two 2012 Star Spangled Banner $5 Gold Coins to be designated as Release Ceremony by NGC. The pedigree makes the proof gold coin and uncirculated gold coin hold a unique standing in modern numismatics. As such, these gold coins should be shared with the public.
These unique gold coins are now a permanent part of the museum collection at Fort McHenry National Monument and National Shrine. The intent of this donation is to share the unique coins with the public and have the members of my family, current and future, remember that their surname is tied to a historical museum collection whenever the Star Spangled Banner is played.
BACKGROUND STORY ON ESTABLISHING THE PEDIGREE
My first hand experience with the "Release Ceremony" designation from Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) was with the 2012 Star Spangled Banner commemorative gold coins. My "Release Ceremony" submittal took great effort.
NGC provides “Early Releases” and “First Releases” term designation on their encapsulation labels. Generally, the coin must be submitted within 30 days after its initial release. For coins from the US Mint, this provides a sufficient time period for one to order and receive a coin from the US mint, then subsequently submit the coin to NGC for grading and encapsulation. This phenomenon has increased the number of “within 30 days” armchair purchases.
NGC also provides additional term designations, specifically the “Release Ceremony” designation. Its submission criteria are more stringent than “within 30 days”. Proper authentication documents are required and must be received by NGC almost immediately after the US Mint release ceremony. As a result, these are not simply armchair purchases. One must locate the release ceremony, travel to the ceremony, attend the ceremony and if the US Mint coin inventory is sufficient, make a purchase. As you can see by the effort required for the “Release Ceremony” designation, it takes an active participatory role.
My first hand experience with "Release Ceremony" designation are with the coins in this set, a proof and uncirculated 2012 Star Spangled Banner commemorative gold coin. I located the ceremony serendipitously from a Maryland tourism email. I made plans to attend the 11 am ceremony on March 5th 2012. The date was coincidently the same as the start of online sales (12 noon) by the US Mint. However, the ceremony time was one hour earlier. I made the assumption that the ceremony sales and online sales would start at the same time (accounting for a one hour in length ceremony).
I attended the ceremony at the visitor center of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. I observed and listened to the enthusiastic speeches about the coins from political and US Mint officials. After the ceremony (11:40 am) I made the gold coin purchases and obtained a dated signature from US Mint Chief Counsel, Paul Shaver, on each coin’s certificate of authenticity and ceremony provided attendance certificate. It should be noted that a US Mint official was calling out the remaining gold coin count to the cashiers and individuals were making single gold coin purchases. Most of the purchasers were non-collectors as US Mint officials had to explain the term proof and uncirculated. Also, no coins dealers with deep pockets were making large purchases.
LIMITED NUMBER OF GOLD COINS BROUGHT TO RELEASE CEREMONY
A day after my purchase, an article in the Baltimore Sun revealed the US Mint had a miniscule gold coin ceremony inventory of 16 coins. From the previous day, the gold coin inventory count being called from the US Mint official (while making my purchase) resulted in me to surmise a breakdown of 10 proofs and 6 uncirculated.
My inquiry with NGC in obtaining a ceremony release designation was initially denied. After a telephone discussion with an NGC official with the intent for the coins, a “Release Ceremony” designation was authorized. From this knowledge, it can be said this set contains the only “Release Ceremony” designated 2012 Star Spangled Banner commemorative gold coins.
COINS GIFTED AND WILL RESIDE PERMANENTLY IN MUSEUM COLLECTION
My intent for these coins has been fulfilled. I gifted these coins to the museum collection of Fort McHenry National Monument and National Shrine. The museum curators are delighted to have these important set of coins. As one of the curators mentioned, your name (Dr. & Mrs Darryl A. Gomez) and gift will be in the collection “for all prosperity”. He is planning to display the coins in the near future and will notify me when it’s available for viewing. Now when the music of the Star Spangled Banner plays, the Gomez family and its future generations will remember that there is special numismatic donation made to the Fort McHenry National Monument and National Shrine that is to be shared for all prosperity.
Set Goals
The purpose of this set is to share the legacy of the only Release Ceremony 2012 Star Spangled Banner $5 Gold Coins that were donated to the Fort McHenry National Monument and National Shrine in celebration of the 200th birthday of our national anthem.
This set celebrates our rich historical past and shares it with future generations.