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I just couldn’t resist breaking my years-long streak of skipping Mint purchases when the 250th Anniversary Army Silver Eagle dropped. That tiny privy mark and lightning-fast sell-out got me wondering – is this hype train worth boarding? Let me walk you through my experience.
My Purchase Journey
Honestly, I’d stopped buying Mint releases ages ago – between the steep prices and repetitive designs, nothing grabbed me. But this Army-themed Eagle with its special privy? That got my attention. I snagged one right before they vanished overnight, and now I’m already thinking about the Navy and Marine Corps versions coming later. Smart move limiting orders to one per household – finally avoiding those site crashes and dealer hoarding that wrecked the 2021 Morgan release for me. My advice? If you spot something you like, move quickly. These tend to double in price on eBay before the ink dries on your receipt.
Why Privy Marks Hook Collectors
Those little hidden symbols just get me every time – I’ve still got my 2020 V75 privy ASE and the 2024 star privy tucked away. But what makes them special? Their history goes way back in commemoratives:
- Take the Grant star half dollar – they actually ground off the raised star after the first strikes.
- Missouri’s 2*4 and Alabama’s 2X2 privies? Clever nods to their statehood numbers that add neat historical layers.
When they called this one a ‘laser privy mark’ I chuckled – feels like modern spin on tricks token makers like George H. Lovett used centuries ago.
The Real Deal on Pricing
$25 for a single ASE? Ouch. I regularly pick these up from dealers like JM Bullion for $38-$40. So why bite? For collectors like us, that tiny mark creates scarcity magic – but tread carefully on the secondary market. These are already popping up on eBay at silly prices, and remember how the V75 privy frenzy cooled? Reminds me of the Jackie Robinson commemorative – plenty of folks lost money chasing that hype.
Playing It Smart With Releases
After getting burned before, here’s how I handle these now:
- Budget first: I’m sticking to one Navy coin after this Army splurge – no impulse buys.
- Grade wisely: For my core sets, I’ll submit for MS/PR 69-70 grades. This Army coin? One raw for the album, one graded to match my 2024 star privy.
- Fight the FOMO: That 2025 flying eagle privy tempted me into ordering proofs AND uncirculated versions… until I caught myself. Now I only chase military themes – saves money and shelf space!
Chasing every release is exactly how the Mint empties our wallets – been there, regretted that.
What History Teaches Us
Privy marks aren’t new – Australia and Canada have used them for ages. But like those early commemoratives, they’re often more about sales than substance. The Missouri 2*4 was literally a temporary die addition, not unlike today’s artificial scarcity tactics. The lesson? Focus on coins with real meaning to YOU.
My Tips For Fellow Collectors
If you’re jumping into these releases:
- Watch release calendars: Mint email alerts saved me from missing the 2025 eagle privy.
- Buy raw when possible: Save grading costs for truly special pieces.
- Check past performance: Not all privy marks hold value – research is your best defense against hype.
While I’m thrilled to add this Army Eagle to my collection, it reminded me that the best collecting balances heart and head. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to hide my credit card before the Navy version drops!
