2026 US Coins... Eventually

Back in 1976, the US celebrated its 200th anniversary (Bicentennial) and changed the coins up a little bit (the next significant change i remember was the 1999 State Quarter program).  This was evident in the quarter, half dollar, and dollar coins.  i may have 20+ of all of these (definitely circulated, and not in great condition).  Those three coins were also minted in 1975, but with 1976 dates.  i did buy one version online that was in better shape.

1976 Proof set (the back of it at least, showing where most of the changes were made).  Ignore the top row, it was lame and unchanged.

The US also released a version of the $2 bill (or Jefferson, as i call it) with a reverse based off the John Trumbull painting "Declaration of Independence".  i need to get a better-quality version of this one of these days (the two or so i have are not in great shape).  Useless trivia - i carry a 1976 $2 bill with me most times i go out.  It is not like 2026 is my semicentennial or anything.  

Yes, that is the 1976 version - it is obviously creased/folded, and there is some writing on the front of it (who writes on dollar bills?  Monsters).

This year is the 250th anniversary (also known as the semiquincentennial, or half of 500 years).  Like the 1976 coins, they are sporting the 1776-2026 dates.  

This time, the dime has also changed.  For one year, one of the three most destructive presidents in US history will be absent from the coin (he will not be missed).  FDR will be replaced by "Emerging Liberty".  It is probably my favorite of the design changes.  Most of the best US coin designs didn't have presidents on them, but metaphorical depictions of Liberty (including one of my favorites the "Mercury dime" also known as the Winged Liberty Head dime).

There are also 5 new quarters - i could do without the weak Gettysburg Address one, the others aren't awful.  The Half dollar design looks decent, though reminiscent of the Platinum Eagle design.  The worthless Sacagawea dollar coin doesn't look changed at all (discontinue it already).

Too bad the proof set will not be cheap ($107) - i still would like to purchase one.  That is probably the only way i'm ever going to get a hold of these (still missing 6-8 National Park Quarters).  i like using cash, but don't go out that much (and when i do it is usually gift cards).

i can't do images (because i don't yet have any of the coins), but here might be a link to the US Mint's section on the program.  Check out "Annual Sets" (under American Eagle Coins in the Products By Category section). 

Semiquincentennial Coins and Medals | US Mint

Random Musings Today: DST, FF, Other

 Well, here it is... i'm musing semi-randomly (because true randomness does not exist).

* Daylight Saving time - i looked at the calendar (it's the paper thing on the wall with the months and days) and noticed that on Sunday, Daylight Saving Time starts again.  Daylight Saving time should never have existed.  It is inferior in every way to standard time.  Can't believe some people actually prefer it.  How much daylight does the time change save?  Absolutely none.

* Finally used the Netflix gift card my alleged sister gave me for Xmas.  i used to have Netflix in the past, but left when i got tired of cost increases, they put Susan Rice on the board, and gave a bloated production deal to the Obamas.  Since then, i have most used Hulu (cheap Black Friday deals) and Paramount Plus.  The thing Netflix does the best is creating accounts without the need for credit cards.

* Have been "watching" Night Court in the background.  It is one of my favorite series of the 1980s (the best decade), thought it definitely has some "clunker"/leftist episodes.  Finally finished it after having it for two years. 193 episodes takes, a while to finish.

Just Saying 11

Another Solstice has come and gone.  

In this post, we have a LEGO Creator 3-in-1, a LEGO Architecture, and a LEGO Icon set.  i know, kind of light this year, but the two i was most interested in never went on sale (One Piece Going Merry: 75639 and Nintendo Game Boy: 72046).  Not pictured is a 153-piece Creator Series 3-in-One Wild Animals Spider Set (31159, also snake and scorpion) my sister got me for Halloween that i wrapped up for Xmas.

Anime Musings After The Crunchyroll Binge

As a previous post indicated, i "watched" over 140 or so seasons of anime over a two-month period on a promotional offer.  Now i get to watch the several seasons i got for Solstice (3 are 24-episode seasons). Eventually i'll have to use the $50 Netflix card my "sister" gave me (that might be about 5 months).

So, what are some of the things that am pondering.

Crunchyroll Anime Binge

Amazon Prime had Crunchyroll on sale for $1.99 a month for 2 months.  i have been curious what they had on there, so i jumped on the offer.  This was the only way i could get Crunchyroll, but if you want it, get it from the official app/web (likely much better experience).

i thought if i had Crunchyroll for a year i would watch maybe 120 seasons of anime shows.  i mostly watched: banished/fired from a party/army, isekai (prefer party based), and rom coms.  Shows might not have been completely watched - possible missing episodes, might have gotten bored/played in the background while doing other stuff, and in rare cases i might have temporary fallen asleep while watching.  No, i couldn't tell you what all these series were about.

i would never actually buy an anime season in Japanese, but sometimes i can watch subbed.  First will be newer shows i started that might be interesting later. So how did i do in my two months?

Post Xmas post

Well, another Xmas has come and gone.  The real Santa Claus has forsaken me once again.

Maybe it was the late Thanksgiving, the warm December with 8+" of rain, binging Crunchyroll, or just feeling older - but Xmas 2025 felt the least like Xmas yet.  It could also be the strain from putting up lights and getting decorations out from a closet.  i'm not sure it has really felt like Xmas since my older sisters started moving out when i was a less experienced kid.  

Tried Crunchyroll Via Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video had a limited time discount on Crunchyroll, so i decided to check it out. $1.99 a month each for two months (still got 20 or so more days left).  i was tempted by the Hidive offer too (maybe next year).  So, how am i liking it so far?

Compared to the Crunchyroll app (only used it for free content), it is lacking.

* No browse button (Prime Video search is a bit hit or miss sometimes desired show aren't in list)

* Don't like Prime Videos side scrolling interface

* Missing episodes, dubs, and sometimes even subs (compared to app)

* Occasional mistakes in populating seasons (Villainess All Routes Lead to Doom, S1&2 episodes were mixed up)

* Various other problems: occasional time delayed subs (anything more than 3 seconds is virtually unwatchable), at least one episode had the sub from the previous episode, and others i can't think of now

* Switching subtitles: have had shows switch subtitles between episodes of the same season from English to Spanish, German, and French.

From a usability standpoint, i wish there would be separate interfaces from the digital store and streaming (Prime Video and add-ons).

That is to say nothing of the ridiculous level of censorship some shows have.  There are a few with most of the screen covered.  Why animate those scenes anyway if they are going to be that censored?  Funimation was so much better in that regard.

There are tons of shows, if you can find them.  The lack of a browse interface (by genre at least) makes some shows harder to find.  There are suggestions, though your mileage may vary.  Options excluding shows without at least an English sub would be helpful.

For the price i paid for two months, it was a pretty good deal.  Let's just say, i probably got my money's worth.