Collectors will pay less for several upcoming United States Mint products, including rolls of 2012 Kennedy halves, national bronze medals and the 2012 First Spouse Bronze Medal Set.
The latest cuts follow other 2012-dated numismatic products that will be available at lower prices this year which include several sets, America the Beautiful Quarters and Presidential $1 Coins.
The U.S. Mint announced the newest round of price reductions as it attempts to attract more customers and appease those who have complained in the past about high product premiums.
New U.S. Mint Product Prices
| PRODUCT | 2011 PRICES | 2012 PRICES | CHANGE | RELEASE DATES |
| Kennedy Half-Dollar 200-Coin Bags | $134.95 | $139.95 | +$5.00 | May 15, 2012 |
| Kennedy Half-Dollar Two-Roll Set | $34.95 | $32.95 | -$2.00 | May 15, 2012 |
| First Spouse Bronze Medal Set | $19.95 | $16.95 | -$3.00 | TBD |
| Large Bronze Medals | $44.95 | $39.95 | -$5.00 | Varied |
| Small Bronze Medals | $7.95 | $6.95 | -$1.00 | Varied |
Earlier this year the U.S. Mint stated it was able to lower prices on popular products by "refining the product costing process, taking advantage of current lower prices for precious metals and negotiating better pricing from its suppliers." Apparently, 200-coin bags of Kennedy halves did not fall into any of these price-saving areas as prices for it are scheduled to go up $5 when released on May 15.
The U.S. Mint is yet to announce when it will offer the 2012 First Spouse Bronze Medal Set. The annual product is usually released in December — around the time when a year’s final First Spouse Gold Coin is issued. The First Bronze Spouse Medal Set will include four 1-5/16-inch bronze medals that bear the same likeness as the companion 24-karat gold coins honoring Alice Paul, Frances Cleveland, Caroline Harrison and another of Frances Cleveland since her husband Grover Cleveland served two nonconsecutive terms. The U.S. Mint also offers the medals individually, with those prices down $1 as the table above indicates.
Large bronze medals offered by the U.S. Mint are often reserved for significant events or sites and to honor individuals, such as bronze duplicates of Congressional Gold Medals.
