Arcadian

A quick Google suggests it's caused by leftover traces of borax, used in the manufacturing process.  I don't know if this is true, but it might explain the random nature of spotting.

I apologise for any misunderstanding, it's a long-standing personal mistrust I have for any business that calls itself a misleading name.  A quick Wikipedia shows: A mint is an industrial facility which manufactures coins that can be used as currency.

Please put me on the waiting list as well, thanks.  I've just watched the the YouTube video with them all together, a great sight, and as you pointed out the work behind the scenes seems as involved as making them.

12 minutes ago, LawrenceChard said:

I strongly suspect it's because there is no mint in Auckland, or anywhere else in New Zealand. 🙂

Yes, I did a search for tour, thinking that the Royal Mint does a tour so why wouldn't the NZ mint, but I couldn't find anything.  They do have flashy city-centre offices though, which always raises alarm bells for me.

2 hours ago, LawrenceChard said:

Do you happen to know where the "New Zealand Mint" is located?

... or anything about its production facilities?

It appears the NZ government use any mint in the world for their currency, other than the New Zealand mint in Aukland.  Is there a reason for this?

I think some coins look better in silver, the Libertad for example, and maybe the Three Graces, so perhaps the answer is 'it depends'. 

According to the news they seem to be more concerned with stopping imports of sausages and other meat products at the moment, it rather reminded me of the 'Yes, Minister' Brussels bangers episode.

Mine arrived yesterday, number 247, so I must have just got in at almost the last minute.  It's like Russian dolls getting into it, two plain cardboard boxes, then a cream box cover, followed by a dark coloured box that holds the presentation box. 

I'd have thought most folk would stack coins with their favourite side up, so it wouldn't matter who was on the other side.

6 hours ago, adamantio999 said:

Started 4 years ago with gold as a way of saving in an alternative currency (Thanks Mike Maloney for introducing me to this world).
Then the passion grew up and I've started looking at silver a year after. In 2019 I bought almost only the grey metal, which I don't purchase anymore due to the premiums, switching back to gold again.
I'll be honest with you and with myself. As time progressed, I've become a collector as much as a stacker. I try to balance reasonable deals and beauty of the coins (I'm in love with the britannias new design and with the American buffalos).
I think I will be buried with some of my coins. New they are MY PRECIOUS.
I always keep a quarter ounce gold in my pocked wherever I go. I like watching it when I am alone. It reminds me of what it is real.

 

 

Finally, a proper use for that odd little pocket in my jeans, a precious metal pocket 🙂 

Pretty much the same for me, hobby/investment.  I stick to newish stuff, as I've no idea what I'd be getting into with older coins.  I do like the different coins of the world though, so I'll probably try to get an America Eagle, then Buffalo, then Mexican Libertad or 50 Peso, I'll have to read up on Ukranian stuff like Noah's ark, etc, but it means I've got a hobby that should have some lasting interest, it's not like I'm buying a coin a week.  I suppose it's a bit like expensive stamp collecting. 

Sometimes you have to buy, regardless of the current price, just to get into the habit.  I've been meaning to buy for years and just didn't get around to it, so I recently decided to take the plunge just to stop procrastinating.  Hopefully, in a few years time the purchase price of those two bars won't matter that much to you.  Most hobbies have a cost so I accept the ups and downs as part of the ride.