Stu

Something a little different. 1967 6 coin proof set from Ghana. There’s only been 2 years a proof set has ever been minted. This 1967 set and a 1958 set which I’ve also been lucky to find and is on it’s way. Some lovely toning but not sure whether to have them cleaned or leave as is

Just received a email from the royal mint saying my coin has just been dispatched.🤦‍♂️🤣

The box for mine had a RM quality control sticker on do I’m expecting a PF65 now

No problem for members to discuss grading, as long as not advertising 3rd party grading services off of the forum.  

Many members choose to grade themselves directly with NGC / PCGS, there is no need to necessarily use a company to grade for you. And it is a myth that you can receive a higher grade if grading via a 3rd party. 

Note that unfortunately the TSF label is not available if you grade directly with NGC and is only available via COR. Also note the £13 per form grading fee when grading directly with NGC. So grading directly for smaller quantities of coins can work out more expensive than going via @CoinsOfTheRealmAuctions (who as well as being TSF's Official Grading partner are also an Authorised NGC dealer).

You can easily compare the costs of grading in the UK with NGC direct yourself by going to their website here: https://www.ngccoin.uk/submit/services-fees/ngc/ (again don't forget to also include that £13, as well as the NGC return shipping cost which is quite expensive if going direct to NGC, I think it was from £36 return shipping cost when I did but another member can hopefully correct me on this if I am mistaken as to NGC's return shipping cost, although this obviously is not applicable if picking up direct from the NGC office) and you can compare to the grading fees with @CoinsOfTheRealmAuctions (discounts applicable for different Premium Member groups, pricing and info available here)

Pros of grading via Coins of the Realm
- Optional TSF branded label available
- Lower cost for small and medium quantities of coins submitted as no £13 per form charge. 

Pros of grading direct with NGC UK
- If you live in or close to London and there is no or low cost travel expenses to get to the NGC office you can drop off and pick up in person to save shipping fees (especially the very high return charge from NGC).
- Can work out cheaper if you are submitting large quantities of coins, e.g. if you have 20 coins on the same sheet effectively reduces the £13 fee to just £0.65 per coin.

I'm not sure if it will be a possibility, and it is something would need to ask NGC, but wondering if there is any possibility for members who submitted via @CoinsOfTheRealmAuctions to then collect their coins in person at the NGC office? This may not be logistically possible or even allowable under the NGC rules, but tagging in Louise as she may be able to answer that  

Note that TSF does not receive any money for members choosing to grade via COR. Unless however a chargeable fee for the TSF label is applicable, this is then passed onto TSF. TSF is not expecting to even break even on the $1000 label charge that we paid, however if members choose to get this label it will hopefully promote and advertise TSF in the long term. The TSF label was also designed to fit in nicely with other Standard NGC labels or standard NGC blue Early Releases / First Releases labels that members may have in their collection so that their TSF branded NGC graded coins go well in their collection. TSF supports itself via Premium Membership subscriptions and Platinum Premium Member groups receive optional FREE TSF branded labels when grading via COR this also will help to support the forum. 

In conclusion, members are free to grade directly with NGC and it is a good topic for discussion on how to do it. As above it may be a lower cost to grade via COR so it is worth working out the costs. 

In regards to PCGS, I can't really say anything just yet, but I can say that TSF is working on something in relation to this and this will be announced in due course, again it will be a system set up whereby TSF does not receive a commission but does negotiate lower rates for Premium Members. More details on that to come sometime this year  

I’ve declared as the actual value of the coin from the mint rather than the market rate as it’s quite volatile at the moment. But I could be wrong.

I’m the last lucky member to take advantage of the free grading, thanks again and happy to post photos. 

This one, but further back on Monday morning.

Yes, but I have no idea where, sorry. There are various posts 😬 and long threads 😱 
Basically log in early and keep smashing refresh until the queue-it screen appears. I’ve always done this. Then leave it and wait for the screen to change automatically at 9am. It tells you not to refresh on the queue-it screen - so you don’t go back to the end of the queue. If it’s your turn and the screen didn’t change it says it was your turn at 9.05am at the bottom, that’s when you hit refresh again and you’ll get in.
Based on what we have heard in threads, queue-it it is less than a queue and more of a holding room and a staggered free for all / random entry system at 9am (think marathon start-off). 
Even if you by-pass the “queue” somehow, the Mint can see all those buyers who bought but did not not sit in the waiting area first. Then the purchase can be cancelled at the Mint’s discretion. Maybe some, not all, of the cancelled bids tried to bypass it? A cancel a day after taking payment could happen after a queue skip. It could also happen because they system was too slow to monitor remaking stock. Again, luck of the draw but it should still mean first to pay gets the coin.
Also, queue-it skippers are easily identifiable by Royal Mint so cheating  orders will be cancelled most definitely. Have a look at the queue-it website, it explains it there. Even if they let in say 500 at the start, there goes the gold. The first 500 could be anyone in the initial holding area of thousands.
It seems more luck of the draw after you’ve got to the website. Even if it’s in the basket it’s not yours until it’s been paid for and from my own experience I was trying too long to buy a gold that had already sold out. Then lost out on the 5oz silver and must have been lucky enough to get a silver 2oz.
Hope this helps. It’s all pretty much been discussed before. 👍🏻 

Finally had time to take a look at mine. I’m happy! It’s going to grading. I honestly I think it will get a 70. Zoomed in on video camera 4x magnification and it looks “mint”. I’ll grade it myself via NGC London. I have a 2oz Bowie to grade as well and a ton of credit at NGC to spend (I bought the Elite membership 3 months ago).
I’m really sorry for those who didn’t manage to get one. @Paul thanks for your comment about the queue on the day. I refreshed and boom I was into the queue. I was refreshing every 10-15 seconds anyway beforehand but I think you may have given me the kick 🦵 over the line. 
I’m a little bit “annoyed” at all the extra flippers that poured into the market which made it impossible for some old school regular buyers to miss out. Even @Paulwho missed out (I believe) was giving everyone with helpful tips on how to buy once passed the queue, how it works and to target your coin and get it in your basket and through to paid ASAP, so thanks @Paul for being an all round nice guy 👍🏻 
My experience was - I tried for a 2oz gold, couldn’t pay, panicked, went for a 5oz silver, couldn’t pay, panicked and then went for the 1oz silver. I think if I had stayed on the 5oz gold I would have came away with nothing. It eventually removed itself out of my basket  anyway after several attempts at paying (for the gold). Had I quit sooner I may have got the 5oz silver 🤷‍♂️
Just happy to have got one really. 😊 

Came with capsule loose just sitting on top rather than on 👌
Feared scratched, was convinced there were two

 
But I put it next to a small desk fan and things blew off phew, can't see any real problems now
Not the best picture but you can see the  debris is gone in comparison (marks on capsule)

 
 

Well if we’re all posting images 😆
Very happy with the lower COA Very happy with the overall quality All marks appear to be on the capsule Upset by the amount of dust and particles on and inside the capsule...as usual

Well the DHL van finally made its way out to the sticks so here is my order

 
And for good measure the two 2oz silvers of the series so far. Crappy phone pics but there we are
 

😁😁😁

Dispatched👍

Time to share this...

Who’s a lucky boy?? 👍👍😋😋

I got my 2 oz proof Griffin today from RM, which cheered me up a little bit having failed to bag any of the 3 Graces on Monday.
Seeing the Griffin in the flesh I now know why its one the most popular of the Queens beasts edition. Just stunning!
If someone did however want to swap it for a 2OZ Three graces I could probably be persuaded with a little arm twisting........ 😁
 

Now this is sexy. Couldent beleave I finally got the chance to snag one. 
Little piece of history SS Garisoppa 😍


VID_156490313_000256_890.mp4

For anyone thinking that you have to be a high rolling, long time buying, purchased by 9:01am, royal mint fan to get a coin. This is not who i am.
My first ever purchase was on Monday, was 3500 something in the queue, fumbled with my account as i wasn't even logged in on my phone, navigated the payment process, and confirmation email arrived at 9:13am. Dispatch email today without any aid of an "account manager" conversation. Blind luck is more like it, and i'm not sure it softens it for any one who didn't manage to purchase. Just for peace of mind that a first timer got one! 

Yep, same here. On its way.

Got an email notification today 🍻 

Gutted for you mate.
Hopefully grab a gothic crown or whatever the next one is eh! It really is a massive bun fight.

Gutted for you mate.
Hopefully grab a gothic crown or whatever the next one is eh! It really is a massive bun fight.

Gutted for you mate.
Hopefully grab a gothic crown or whatever the next one is eh! It really is a massive bun fight.

Gutted for you mate.
Hopefully grab a gothic crown or whatever the next one is eh! It really is a massive bun fight.