westminstrel

Don’t ask me how, but I have it on some authority that the first coin is likely to be released around the middle of this year (which imo is still very soon after the G&D so I’m (selfishly) hoping it will be delayed!)

Probably the gold version will be the only real prize here as the original intent was - I believe - to strike them in gold for the top brass and the four Allied leaders. But with gold prices, and third being a 2-coin set, how many will really be able to afford the gold?!

Property prices are insane here. Rents too are up in the high double % figures over the last two years. Locking in $$$ in gold makes less sense now as there’s less disposable income generally speaking.

The USD AUD exchange rate hasn’t helped gold prices in AUD. Separate from the whole cost of living and inflation which has spiked over the last year. It’s hardly surprising gold isn’t a top priority as prices of basics are slated to increase this year too.

The 2-coin idea is simple a money grab imo. It makes no sense. They did an actual medal in 2015 so they didn’t have to worry about the Monarch’s effigy being on the obverse.

Same thoughts here. And also by @dvl elsewhere. A lot of collectors will be questioning this.

I had the exact same thought here:

The Waterloo Medal is already being promoted via expression of interest. A 2-coin set with the first coming in 2024 and the second in 2025. It’s the first time I haven’t jumped to fill in the form. I am interested, but I’m kinda annoyed at the two-coin agenda here. So I guess I’m not entirely happy to express my interest.

For sure, with the gold price skyrocketing AND the RM’s model of adding a huge almost 100% premium on proof coins, it will very soon be unsustainable for a majority of collectors to justify purchasing proof gold coins, because as most of us here must know from experience, wages aren’t exactly rising at the same pace. Even the smallest 1/4oz gold proof coins (smallest to appreciate a design) will be hard to justify purchasing at almost £1000.

They can certainly change their mind. This might be an oversimplification… but I think in order to release any coin, there must be a proclamation in the Gazette; but just because a Proclamation exists, doesn’t mean a coin has to be released. Most recently, the 5oz Petition Crown was scrapped even though it was part of a Proclamation.

This medal was by Thomas Wyon, not Benedetto Pistrucci, and the RM seems to be wanting to fabricate a trilogy of Pistrucci’s work by splitting his medal into two coins.

Post Shipping Trauma 156 😛

Looking at today’s gold price, I wish I had had the dinkydoos to splurge on those bars back then. 😕

Being overseas, I’ve only ever bought from RM and Chards from your list. Regardless of my preference (and that of others), the numbers are facts, so you can’t possibly be blamed for being biased towards any one company surely? 🫤

You rock, @BackyardBullion!

That’s an amazing collection. Every set of images is unique and special - congratulations! Did you never get into the Great Engravers collection?

The medal as intended was supposed to be 130mm in diameter. Now what might be truly novel is if the Royal Mint were to stick to the weights (2oz, 5oz, etc.) but half the thickness and increase the diameters. The G&D’s matte finish was an easy one to do, to make the coin interesting, and market it as a ‘first’ in the Great Engravers series. But I doubt the RM would dare to be as innovative as reducing thickness and increasing diameters (though I’d love if they proved me wrong).

From the previous video, it seems the RM created the dies a few years back when they struck the silver medals. So it begs the question - what will be special about the re-release, especially as it won’t even be a medal, but a set of coins?

As usual, I let my obsession get the better of me… Here’s an interesting video about the Waterloo medal that the RM produced several years back. (Gordon Summers is still Chief Engraver at the Royal Mint.) And this related video is informative too:

By the way, I’ve heard many people mispronounce the name Pistrucci. It’s pronounced with a -CHEE ending, not -KEY.

So depressing because it’s a lovely coin otherwise. ☹️ Now to deal with returns! 🫤

Milky 2oz silver. 🥺🥺😭😭

I don’t know that this really applies to collectible coins. I mean, Australia Post itself sells coins (can be purchased on the website) including high value coins, and sends them by… Australia Post! https://auspost.com.au/shop/collectables/coins-and-banknotes/sorting-ProductSalePriceGross-desc

Oh gosh. So that’s another concern for the silver coins now? 😖😟