kimchi

I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about @HerefordBullyun my good man, and can absolutely assure you that his good friends at Scotland Yard didn't either (Kitty's tend to lick themselves clean afterwards, after all, and certainly before donning their aprons!)

As a VIP, Sir Cliff of Richard never had to queue for his. He always loved, demanded, and got his 'logs on the fire' asap. So much so he wrote a song about them. And he didn't just love 'our Cilla' because she bought his old discowear..

I'm not gutted to have missed out (I don't have the money anyway) but I really like this No knowing what it'll do of course, but I bet it looks stunning in gold. A series I can't see the Mint repeating within our lifetimes, and for that reason alone it's stolen the thunder from the (underwhelming and uninspired Tudor Beasts) for me, even if it might take a while to start to hear the rumbles (just as the Queen's Beasts did). Also as I predicted 4/5 years ago a full tie-in from Tudor times up to the present day, and I was going out on a real limb at the time but yes Charles I and II, so Charles will be the next monarch as Charles III.

It's not a criticism whatsoever, as I always appreciate the very kind thought and gesture at that time of year, but let's be honest you've sent me worse mate

You've stopped paying your audiences???

I find his very poor timing indeed, given Liz's age...

Sorry guys and gals just had a thought...a William with the usual reverse...the Mint won't be able to resist surely?

I am not surprised (alas) and think you may be spot on about 2019, as well as the laser etching etc. I also expect you're right about the 2000s being better still than he 201xs (I'd have to go to storage to check). My 2022s look perfect and I was excited to see the special reverse (despite it not being a favourite), but for the first time time ever I looked at them and just thought 'meh' (in terms of strike and presence).

Kamasutra special move?

No, I am John!

I don' t have the 2017 proof to compare, but the Pistrucci Anniversary Strike on the Day of the same year looks similar to a proof (in grading terms PL - Proof Like) in terms of contrast. However that year's proof may be even more stunning, I don't know - I've never had both in hand at the same time. For 2018 I have both Proofs and SotDs (Sapphire Coronation). The Coronations are very close, they are absolutely stunning strikes, but the frosting (matte) and polished fields are slightly better (deeper, clearer) on the proofs. It is clear to me they had higher quality dies and/or more strikes. I don't have any 2019/20/21 proofs but I was quite shocked when I got my 2022s just how much less impressive they were than either the 2017 SotD or 2018 (both Proof and SotD), just as Dave says. I'd be very interested indeed to find out when the quality dropped and if it was dramatic, or a gradual decline from 2019 onwards. In any case, from 2019 the SotDs have been Matte, so can't be compared to regular Proofs (maybe they did this deliberately?!!).

Sorry I know it's not the point of the post (I too have faith in silver, and everyone I've ever shown a 999 coin can't believe how cheap it is). Isn't land and property extremely cheap in certain parts of North America (including some very good ones if you want to be fairly self-sufficient)...I watch a lot of off-grid channels from here in rip off Britain with very envious eyes? A million for a house has me very very surprised!

Yes we do all sorts here

See it loud and clear It's a no-brainer really isn't it? Once the rush has stopped and premiums go down a bit mind, and with hopefully a drop in gold closer to £1300. As the jokers at the Mint might say 'we're here all year'!

Absolutely! As many as possible for me this year, I'll be selling some other modern sovs to buy these for a few quid more The Proofs are definitely not what they were just a few short years ago alas, and from the photos these don' seem to be either, so I think you're right, or the Mint have just dropped their standards...

If you have the (or rather a good amount of spare) money and are looking to pass down something to your heirs, that would be a nice set imo Much as I hate First Strike tomfoolery, if I was in that boat (too much money!), I'd be buying loads and getting them all off to NGC asap for that elusive (possibly one of a kind) First Strike 70s set!

The Alderney has the original date on the reverse, one of many things going for it imo including a Jody Clark 'gothic Liz' portrait and more faithful weight and purity (plus they're already graded 70s) On the other hand the Latin inscription is spelled wrong

In mint condition this should sell as a set for £3500 easy.

Sapphire Coronation privy. Add up the amount of gold, and they've offered a flat rate over the phone without even seeing them (of course they have)! It's not an untypical offer from a dealer so no criticism there but...blimey! I bet poor OP's inbox is overflowing!

I think you'd be absolutely bonkers to sell for that if they are good condition

It will never be worth more than the full, but it should do pretty well eventually. The problem is the high issue price compared to most of the other special reverses. With the premium at dealers or even the Mint after the initial lot sold out it's already around the price of a 2017 (key year) just to buy. That had a mintage of 1817 iirc and this one is 4200 odd. The special year halfs were lagging way behind their full size siblings for many a year. Some can still be had at relatively good prices (worth snapping up if you see a deal!) but they're attracting more attention as the full sovereign versions become unaffordable to more and more people, especially if you want to make a set. It's a bi of a special case as it's out on its own and the best performer, being the one to have for now (especially if you were only ever going to have one), but the 1989 has almost doubled in price over the last five years to £550ish I believe.

It won't at all - they are completely different markets

I think you're safe. They sent out the last 3 coin sets last week, so presumably just a few days extra to mint the final doubles, assemble everything, and ship

That's why all my stashes are buried below frost level

Especially as it looks like Charles and Willy will be leading the Jubilee weekend celebrations. Or perhaps they'll want to keep the focus on the Queen? A Platinum Pudding privy perhaps?