timsk

Thanks for the replies everyone - much appreciated. The photo is taken with the capsule lid removed - so the blemish is definitely on the coin. What I can't say with 100% certainty is whether or not it's a very fine hair that's attached itself to the coin, but I dare not poke at it as I don't know what I'm doing, I don't have the necessary tools and will likely cause further damage in the process. So, on that basis, I'll leave well alone and return it. I've had a look at my records and, since I started stacking/collecting at the end of 2021, I've bought exactly 10 proof coins from the Royal Mint (RM). As I've mentioned already, one was stolen and had to be replaced, (which isn't RM's fault to be fair), but this is the second coin to be returned because it's below par. (The other being the British Monarchs Henry VIII silver 2 oz). That's not a great track record and I'm starting to sympathise with those of you can't be ar$ed dealing with the RM any more!

Well, I contacted RM and said where the 'kin hell are my coins - and they replied saying they were delivered months ago and gave me an order number and Royal Mail PoD. I replied saying nice try - but that was a replacement order for a silver Britannia Two coin set which was stolen in transit. So, yesterday, (Friday 14th) I get another e-mail from them saying the Coronation coins are on their way and would arrive today - which they have. Hurrah, finally! I'm happy with them - bar a tiny hairline scratch above the king's crown of the silver Piedfort coin between the rim and the letter G. See pic' below. Should I send it back, or is it not that big a deal, given that it's on the obverse and doesn't immediately jump out at you?

Is anyone else still waiting to receive their Coronation proof coins from RM - or am I the only one?

Snap!

Your Mrs obviously likes you. A lot! 😉 My stepson collects TAG Heuer watches and, in investment terms, I think he'll do better with them than I will with coins!

First I love you - now I hate you! 😆

Thanks SilverJacks. This works a treat everyone - just got in doing as SJ advises and have got the 2 oz I wanted.

I don't understand how some of you have managed to buy your coins before the 12.00 noon launch? I'm not even in the queue yet, stuck on the "we are preparing to launch our latest product" page!

I had this problem back along and found that gmail had put all Royal Mail newsletters in the 'Promotions' folder (which I rarely look in) rather than the 'Primary' folder. Also, check your spam / junk folder to ensure your service provider hasn't put them there. If the newsletters don't show up in any of those places, re-register with Royal Mail to receive the newsletter.

. . . But there's no way it's gonna hit £20.00, right SidS! 😆

I don't try and understand what's going on, I just look at the leading indicator. Silver's the cart: DXY is the horse, IMO. 😉

Doh! - wish I'd thought of that, James! Instead, I went for The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III 2023 UK £5 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin which, to be fair to Royal Mint, is a nice gesture of goodwill, IMO.

Thanks everyone for your contributions to the thread! 👍 I thought I'd update you all with what's happened or, rather, what's not happened since I first made Royal Mint (RM) aware that a crime - albeit a small one in the grand scheme of things - has been committed. In my last e-mail to RM on 15th May, I wrote this: "Firstly, and most importantly, in both of your last two e-mails, you've made no mention of the result of the 'Postal Loss Investigation' into the theft of the 'Britannia 2023 UK Two-Coin Silver Proof Set'. Given that it's not just a loss, e.g. an 'accident', 'mishap' or 'one-of-those-things' but, rather, an actual crime, I'm keen to know what steps the Royal Mint are taking to investigate it? For example, it's reasonable to assume that the thief isn't a collector and wants to realise the value of the two-coin set asap. Therefore, s/he will almost certainly try and sell it, and the most likely place for them to do that is on eBay and/or social media sites. Assuming you have a record of the CoA number then, potentially, when the two-coin set is offered for sale, you and/or the Police will have the means to track and trace the criminals. Is any action along these lines being taken?" RM reply to me yesterday (31st May): "As for the investigation we actually have received the parcel back from the royal mail and have resent it to yourself re packaged. and you can track it here Delivery Tracker. can you please confirm if you received the The Britannia 2023 UK Two-Coin Silver Proof Set?" It's pretty clear to me that beyond doing their bit for the environment and recycling the packaging, the RM isn't in the least bit interested in pursuing this matter. The thief will not only get away with it and keep their job at the Royal Mail but, likely as not, know that no one will look into small crimes like this and will be emboldened to do the same thing again. And again. I have received the replacement set mentioned in RM's reply, which surprised me as in earlier correspondence they told me there wasn't a spare set to be had and would refund me the cost. They also told me right from the time I reported the theft that they'd earmark my account such that all future parcels are sent by their alternative carrier, i.e. not Royal Mail. I've received two deliveries since then and, guess what, both came via Royal Mail! The first one I was away on holiday and filled out the online forms to have the parcel delivered to my neighbor. This didn't happen, they (Royal Mail) signed for the parcel themselves and left it on my front door step. Grrrrr! The second parcel (the replacement two coin set) was again left on the front door step, even though the front door was wide open and a tradesman's van was parked in the driveway. It was very obvious that someone was home - but they didn't ring the doorbell. I accept completely that these are issues with Royal Mail and not RM but, if RM had used their alternative carrier then perhaps they wouldn't have arisen in the first place. Anyway, to conclude, I'm not out of pocket and I have the coins I wanted. Additionally, as a gesture of goodwill for the inconvenience, RM have offered free shipping on my next order and a free Brilliant Uncirculated coin of my choice. Who knows when that will come; I'm still waiting for the Coronation coins I ordered on 24th April - still no sign of those!

Thanks Happypanda - really interesting. Just Stop Oil WHAT IS JUST STOP OIL? Just Stop Oil is a coalition of groups working together to ensure that the government commits to ending all new licenses and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK. WHAT DOES JUST STOP OIL WANT? We demand that the UK government makes a statement that it will immediately halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK. I wonder how many Just Stop Oil activists and supporters realise that oil is not a fossil fuel? Judging by the text quoted above from their website - none of them!

Thanks for the comprehensive answer, HMGS. Interestingly, this roughly equates to the lows of last August. If price does drop back down to these levels again, I'll be tempted to take out a massive loan or mortgage and back up the truck to Atkinsons, Chards and Tavex etc. ! 😁

Agreed Stack', this is the key level for me. IMO, it's highly probable that £16.00 will be tested, especially if DXY continues its rally. However, first it needs to breach the March higher swing low around £16.70. IF it does that and then falls to £16.00, then a test of last August's lows just above £15.00 is very much on the cards and, certainly, is a no brainer buying opportunity. The flip side of the coin is that if DXY stalls, then a reversal is likely, followed by a test of April's higher swing high just under £21.00. IF that happens, then an uptrend will be established and price could go 'to da moon'! See the weekly chart, below. As an aside, does anyone know the theoretical absolute low below which price can't fall because all mining production would stop? I realise this will vary almost daily due to inflation and numerous other factors - but a ball park figure would be interesting.

Hi HMG, I like your logic but, ultimately, I think the single biggest influence on the silver spot price is the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY). As long as the candles continue to print green, silver will tank. Conversely, silver will go 'to da moon' when DXY collapses, which many folk (me included) believe is just a question of when rather than if.

Just a heads up for any late starters wanting to jump on the band wagon or anyone with a hole in the series thus far that they're looking to fill: CrawleyCoins: The British Monarchs Collection – Remaking History Yes, you'll pay more than the Royal Mint's launch price - but the prices are probably a good deal better than the flippers on eBay!

Hi GAG, You sound as if you might be able to offer some insight into the criminal mind, specifically burglars. My assumption is that burglars breaking into my home will fall into one of the following two categories: A) They don't know that I'm a stacker/collector of PMs and target my house based on other criteria and are speculating that they'll find items of value to pinch such as TV, computer, tablet, and phone etc. They are not going to do a thorough and detailed search of the property because that takes time (which adds to their risk). Besides which, they don't know that they'll find anything anyway. B)) They do know that I'm a stacker/collector of PMs and assume that I keep them at the property and will be looking for a safe, loose floorboards under carpets, large freezers, concealed bottoms of drawers etc., etc. What they may well find is empty boxes and packaging (no room for all of that in a SD box!) - but no coins. However, they will have confirmation that I have PMs somewhere. If I'm correct about these two assumptions then, in my eyes, the only reason to have a SD box is to make a third assumption. . . That criminals are watching my property and are waiting for obvious signs that it is empty, whereupon they'll force entry and ransack the place. Finding only empty boxes and packaging, they'll conclude there aren't any coins on the premises and depart empty handed - never to return again. To me, this seems highly improbable - as there are much better targets than a small bit player like me. If I was a criminal, I'd target someone who is likely to have a lot of PMs, such as the owner of one of the big YouTube channels. If I'm the target, they will be frustrated at finding nothing but boxes and, just as likely IMO, try to force me to hand over the PMs via the use of threats and violence. To conclude, I'm not convinced that SD boxes are the right way forward. For me, that is: I'm not speaking for anyone else - each to their own!

Thanks everyone for your replies - much appreciated. I've spoken to the Royal Mint (RM) - on a Sunday bank holiday weekend no less! - and they've launched a 'Postal Loss Investigation' and will be in touch later in the week with their findings. The woman I spoke to was of the opinion that the most likely explanation is that the parcel got damaged in transit and then someone saw the contents and decided to help themselves. In other words, it was opportunistic theft - rather than anything more sinister. Personally, I'm not convinced. RM's faults are discussed at length on here and elsewhere, but it's rare to see anyone criticising their packaging. IMO, it's very good, so I fear the thief knew - or at least had a good idea - what was in the parcel. RM does use another carrier besides Royal Mail, and they've marked my account so that future purchases go via the alternative carrier instead of Royal Mail. I'm struck by the number of you recommending safety deposit boxes. The nearest firm to me is about 30 miles away and their smallest box is 51mm x 127mm x 610mm, costing £150 p/a. Obviously, the issue of security affects all stackers and collectors and it's not something that worries me greatly unless ne'er-do-wells know who I am and where I live. In that circumstance, having valuables off-site is a slight advantage but, if criminals turn up at my home, are they really going to apologise for disturbing me and go away empty handed just because I tell them there's nothing here and that my coin collection is stored off-site at a secure location? I can't see it somehow, but perhaps I'm being a tad paranoid and my imagination is getting carried away with plots from Hollywood movies!

Finally, having ordered The Britannia 2023 UK Two-Coin Silver Proof Set on the 8th March - it was due for delivery yesterday. Well, yesterday came and went and no delivery. To my surprise and delight, a Royal Mail van turned up just now with my parcel. Except that all he had was a torn apart cardboard box held together with an elastic band, containing nothing more than a Royal Mint delivery note. I refused to accept the parcel, which the (helpful and friendly) driver duly noted and gave me his name and suggested I took a photo of the 'parcel' - which I duly did. Has anyone had this happen to them and, if so, do you have any suggestions as to what I should - or should not - do now? Obviously, I'll message the Royal Mint to inform them of what's happened, not sure what else I can do? My big concern is that if a tea leaf working at Royal Mail has clocked my address and knows that I collect precious metals - then this could happen again or, worse still, burglars could come to my house!!! Should I contact the Police, or just see what the Royals Mail & Mint have to say? Ideas and suggestions please! Thanks in advance.

That's pretty extraordinary - but there's a cheap and simple workaround. . . £1.99 buys you a 2pc Diamond File Set on eBay. Problem solved! 😁

Congrats BYB - very nice. I guess you've had a change in fortune since you published your 'Coin Release News - King Charles Coronation Coins Coming Soon!' vid' back along, in which you said: "I'll be getting it [ounce reveal] in silver; I'll skip the gold because that's gonna cost quite a lot of money and it's not within my budget"! Not that I'm in the slightest bit jealous or anything! 😉 👍

I might be wrong as it's a while since I bought anything being auctioned on eBay but, I think I'm right in saying, that if one puts in a bid on something - then one is obligated to buy it? A question mark as I'm not 100% certain about that but, if that is the case, then the flipper of this SOTD sovereign will be chuffed to bits with how this auction is going . . . https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204315474308?mkevt=1&mkpid=2&emsid=e90001.m43.l1123&plmtId=700008&mesgId=3024&mkcid=8&ch=osgood&bu=44093444117&trkId=4c6a0f22-1a65-4cbf-a22c-1528fd8f8b61&cnvId=700003&recoId=204315474308&recoPos=1

Wow - this must be a record for the Royal Mint - delivering a new release within 48 hours! I'm still waiting for my 2023 British Monarchs Charles I - 2oz silver proof, ordered on 13th March. Grrrr!