I'm concerned about the cost and"no return" on modern commemoratives.

As I have said before, and repeat now, the U.S. Mint is byfar the largest COIN DEALER in the World. They have no recourse available against them, as long as the productis real, so they sell at a price THEY determine, promise in various ads, (at least from 1983) that these are an "investmentin the future" and the public believes this, (because the almighty Mint SAYS SO!)

As you wrote, you cannot get the coins other than from the U.S. Mint.Not like you and I did when we were kids and went through changeto try to complete a series. Even when the Commemoratives before1954 were sold by the commissions, they usually were available for50 cents to 2 dollars each. The premium DID NOT GO TO THE MINTbut was used to establish or maintain a historical site or event andwas used by the commission as a way to promote a worthy event.

It was this overcharging and over promotion by the Mint from 1983to 1993 that caused the House of Representatives to convene a hearingabout the "abuse" that was charged by the Mint, and where the fundsended up, in the coffers of the Treasury or Mint. It was and is a moneymaking-project that the Mint uses, and says they are trying to keep costsdown, for the government. (Besides the seniorage they are entitled to, even though that is what they are here for, the profit from the get - goon the sales)

That is the reason the statehood quarter program (which Iproposed) was passed and became popular.

If I had the time or could get someone to do it for me, I would love to writeor publicize the actual PROFIT the Mint is making off the backs of thepublic. IT HAS TO BE A TIDY SUM.

In addition, the promoters on TV and the like have these graded (what for?)and then sell them at a big profit to the public who know little or nothing about what they are buying, but are driven by the false promise of PROFIT.

As the Mint doesn't BUY BACK, NOR DO THE PROMOTERS, and the dealersdon't want them or stock them, where is this imaginary profit going to come from? When those who buy these realize once again that the profit is to thegovernment and the promoters, HOW MANY MORE POSSIBLE COLLECTORS WILL WE LOSE?