JeffM

I just received a silver coin I ordered from Monnaie de Paris (French mint).  The coin was expertly packaged.  When I open the box and the coin case, I noted that the coin was perfectly centered in the case, the capsule was intact and tight, and the coin was in perfect proof condition.   It's good to know that France's QC is alive and well!  They produce a lot of coins but not as many as the RM.  And, therein lies the answer.  You need time to do QC.  With so many coins rolling off the presses, there is no time for QC in Llantrisant.

I think the RM would be better off creating all of its coins with an antiqued or hammered look like the coins of the past.  The Henry VII British Monarch coin is a good example.  The surface would be so rough that all defects would be hidden.

It's pretty obvious that QC is a thing of the past.  The mission now is to produce coins at a pace to make as much money as possible.  This means release after release.  These coins are being pumped out so fast that there is no time for QC.  Coins are just rushed through so quickly that the poor workers don't even have the time to screw a cap on properly.  The result is what we are seeing.  The RM will need to hire more workers for their returns department because they will be the busiest unit in the mint. 

Do you guys really get hit hard on silver?  I prefer buying from the U.S. Mint, but sometimes it's impossible on a hot issue.  There are no queues here, and we have hundreds of thousands (or more) of people descending on the Mint's website at the exact time the coin goes on sale (always at noon Eastern time).  That totally messes up the Mint's website, as it gets overloaded with individuals and bots.  People always circumvent the household limits, and many times it's impossible to get through before the coin sells out.  We have had sellouts here in minutes, and it gets very frustrating.  That's why it's easier to go the dealer route.
The most trouble I had was with last year's Morgan and Peace dollar 100th year anniversary coins.  I had no luck getting through for anything except the Peace dollar (which was a miracle).  So, I ended up buying the set from a dealer because i really wanted it.  Flippers are big here, and they have bots set up to buy everything in sight.  Being a coin collector is just not what it used to be.

You will sometimes find a old silver dime or quarter in change, but it's very rare.  It's a tiny bit easier if you have a business that deals with change (such as vending or laundry machines), but still it's quite rare to find an old silver coin.  Had I known back then what I know now, I would have saved every silver coin I could get my hands on.  And EVERY dime, quarter, and half dollar back then was silver.  Darn, even my tooth fillings were silver back then!

Got my portrait crown today.  Absolutely beautiful, and it looks great to me.  I had little doubt since I bought it from a dealer.  I believe they do look these over prior to shipping them.  The capsule was intact and perfectly embedded in the case.  The coin was nicely shipped in protective packaging.  Of course, I had to pay more than the RRP, but sometimes the peace of mind of not having to deal with the RM may be worth it.

I decided to bite the bullet and buy a 2 oz. silver Henry VII.  Since the 2 oz. has seemed easier to obtain than the 1 oz., I will consider collecting the rest of the series in 2 oz. (which is my preference).  In the meantime, I will have the 1 oz. and 2 oz. with a month to decide which way i want to go with this.
My 2 oz. arrived this weekend, and it is absolutely fantastic!  Love the box it comes in.  The King Henry portrait almost looks more BU as opposed to proof (like the obverse), which is absolutely perfect and was my wish.  I don't think they had proof coins back in the time of Henry VII!   This coin is a real winner, and I look forward to seeing the next coin in the series.  Hope it won't be so stressful to order.

You will sometimes find a old silver dime or quarter in change, but it's very rare.  It's a tiny bit easier if you have a business that deals with change (such as vending or laundry machines), but still it's quite rare to find an old silver coin.  Had I known back then what I know now, I would have saved every silver coin I could get my hands on.  And EVERY dime, quarter, and half dollar back then was silver.  Darn, even my tooth fillings were silver back then!

You will sometimes find a old silver dime or quarter in change, but it's very rare.  It's a tiny bit easier if you have a business that deals with change (such as vending or laundry machines), but still it's quite rare to find an old silver coin.  Had I known back then what I know now, I would have saved every silver coin I could get my hands on.  And EVERY dime, quarter, and half dollar back then was silver.  Darn, even my tooth fillings were silver back then!

Do you guys really get hit hard on silver?  I prefer buying from the U.S. Mint, but sometimes it's impossible on a hot issue.  There are no queues here, and we have hundreds of thousands (or more) of people descending on the Mint's website at the exact time the coin goes on sale (always at noon Eastern time).  That totally messes up the Mint's website, as it gets overloaded with individuals and bots.  People always circumvent the household limits, and many times it's impossible to get through before the coin sells out.  We have had sellouts here in minutes, and it gets very frustrating.  That's why it's easier to go the dealer route.
The most trouble I had was with last year's Morgan and Peace dollar 100th year anniversary coins.  I had no luck getting through for anything except the Peace dollar (which was a miracle).  So, I ended up buying the set from a dealer because i really wanted it.  Flippers are big here, and they have bots set up to buy everything in sight.  Being a coin collector is just not what it used to be.

I guess it depends here too.  If you just want silver no matter the coin or condition, you can get it reasonably.  But, with a desirable date and condition, of course it gets into the collector range.  Back when I was younger, everything was silver (pre-1964).  So, yes, our pockets were loaded with silver - dimes, quarters, and half dollars.  Silver dollars were also available in change (from banks), but no one used them in change.  Today, it's almost impossible to find half dollars in change.   And, if you do, of course it's the post 1964 clad coins.

Got my portrait crown today.  Absolutely beautiful, and it looks great to me.  I had little doubt since I bought it from a dealer.  I believe they do look these over prior to shipping them.  The capsule was intact and perfectly embedded in the case.  The coin was nicely shipped in protective packaging.  Of course, I had to pay more than the RRP, but sometimes the peace of mind of not having to deal with the RM may be worth it.

Whatever that picture is........it is correct!  Picture a guy covered in man fat, with extra fat in the chest area, sitting in my 5XL jammies.  That's me in a nutshell!!

I don't buy from local coin shops.  I buy exclusively from online dealers.  I buy from the U.S. Mint on a subscription for all proof W mint mark ASEs and am waiting to get on the subscription list for the S proof ASEs.  Those always have a lower mintage. 

We are having a lot of snow here today in Chicago.  No damage to my portrait crown that arrived today.  Although I almost slipped and cracked my skull retrieving the package, the coin was safe (which is all that matters).

We are having a lot of snow here today in Chicago.  No damage to my portrait crown that arrived today.  Although I almost slipped and cracked my skull retrieving the package, the coin was safe (which is all that matters).

We are having a lot of snow here today in Chicago.  No damage to my portrait crown that arrived today.  Although I almost slipped and cracked my skull retrieving the package, the coin was safe (which is all that matters).

We are having a lot of snow here today in Chicago.  No damage to my portrait crown that arrived today.  Although I almost slipped and cracked my skull retrieving the package, the coin was safe (which is all that matters).

We are having a lot of snow here today in Chicago.  No damage to my portrait crown that arrived today.  Although I almost slipped and cracked my skull retrieving the package, the coin was safe (which is all that matters).

We are having a lot of snow here today in Chicago.  No damage to my portrait crown that arrived today.  Although I almost slipped and cracked my skull retrieving the package, the coin was safe (which is all that matters).

We are having a lot of snow here today in Chicago.  No damage to my portrait crown that arrived today.  Although I almost slipped and cracked my skull retrieving the package, the coin was safe (which is all that matters).

Whatever that picture is........it is correct!  Picture a guy covered in man fat, with extra fat in the chest area, sitting in my 5XL jammies.  That's me in a nutshell!!

Whatever that picture is........it is correct!  Picture a guy covered in man fat, with extra fat in the chest area, sitting in my 5XL jammies.  That's me in a nutshell!!

Not me!  Not only will I keep mine, but I shall clutch it to my breast every waking moment, sleep with it at night tucked inside my jammies, and demand that it be buried with me.

Not me!  Not only will I keep mine, but I shall clutch it to my breast every waking moment, sleep with it at night tucked inside my jammies, and demand that it be buried with me.