TeaTime

Yes, the gold sixpence was in the wedding section - i have been collecting the silver since they introduced them in 2016 (hoping they become a slow burn for collectors) and jumped on the gold one as a 'first' for the Mint. Unfortunately no payment went out from my account. It sat as 'payment pending' for about a week and then disappeared. So no bargain for me if gold increases in value between now and August. Fingers crossed the price drops 😁

I saw it and instantly ordered it, paid for it and got the confirmation email... The next day i got an apology email stating that it is not available until August. 🙄

All you can base future increases on is past performance. Forget all the apocalypse nonsense - who will want silver when struggling to find food ? In the event that society broke down who would you rather be friends with - someone who owns a lot of silver or a mechanic ?! If you are lucky and in no hurry you could maybe double your investment if you buy well and sell better (just like any other product). You could, potentially make a 10x return on some numismatic silver but it just wont happen for generic... And if i'm wrong i've always got my silver to fall back on !

The last time i went to the States i brought back around 30oz silver bullion. It went in the hold with my luggage (in a sock) and i had no problems... I didn't want it in my hand luggage because i couldn't be bothered with explaining that i was a stacker of silver and not a currency smuggler ! After reading up a little it turns out i did the exact opposite of what is recomended. Coins should be carried in hand luggage and (if possible) with a receipt. I think the bottom line is the value of goods you will be taking - 20/30 silver coins would not be considered laundering in most countries. 20/30 gold coins would definitely flag up though.

The likelihood of the RM not producing a coin that will sell by the bucketload is miniscule. There whole aim is to make money, both literally and figuratively.... Maybe that very question is fueling the mass scramble we now see. Personally i have a few sets of the 2oz silvers, one for myself and others to pass on in future years, and am not tempted by a 1oz option - i want either a matching 2oz or i can live without it.

I'm just not getting the hype on the 1oz proof - there is more than enough for everyone who collected the 1oz set to get one. The only reason they sold out was because people were buying multiples to instantly flip. Anyone paying current after-market prices is going to be on a loser when (if) the silver bullion version is released. That will satisfy the demand of most collectors. For years every single post i have seen on all the various forums have been about how RM proofs are a hiding to nothing. Guaranteed to decrease in value and a poor investment. Now that the RMs quality control is at an all-time low people are going crazy for them. The hype train is heading for a derailment..

I've never bothered keeping cost records. I buy either what i like or what i consider to be a good price at the time of purchase... Quite frankly if i HAVE TO sell off some of my silver then it will make no difference - what options are there ? I've always considered PM's as a store of wealth rather than an opportunity to make (more) money. As for changes in the law or proving ownership - for the first one there's not a lot you can do and for the second having a spreadsheet is meaningless. Receipts would probably be accepted as proof of ownership, a hand written/typed book most certainly wouldn't be. Hopefully this will not become an issue in my lifetime 😶

If you get the opportunity to view some genuine coins (that's where a local dealer comes in handy), you can spot most fakes out there - 90% of them these days are Chinese made and have obvious errors. In fact it wouldn't hurt to invest £20 on obtaining some from such as AliExpress as examples. A friend of mine actually collects contemorary forgeries - that's a market in itself. Cleaning is a difficult subject - how can anyone tell if a circulating coin from the 1600's has been cleaned or if it has recieved scratches from general use. I think when most people say 'cleaned' it generally refers to a coin that has been obviously 'spruced up' using an abrasive. I would not be surprised if most 400 year old coins have recieved some degree of cleaning at some point in their history... Sometimes it just doesn't matter. I will often buy lesser grade coins - there is nothing as satisfying as holding an historic coin in the hand for a fondle.. 😁

I'm a crown collector - my aim was to buy a coin from every monarch from the restoration to present day. Needles to say it got quite expensive... The only resource i used was the coin yearbook by Token Publishing and a local BNTA registered coin dealer. It's a facinating hobby and a good way to invest if you can buy well (my local dealer guaranteed to buy-back any coins for the sale price for 12 months - i never used this option and most of the coins i have purchased in the last decade have massively increased in value. Condition is everything on historic coins and buying from Ebay is not recommended (unless from a well established dealer) for serious value coins, the difference between a Fine and Very Fine coin can be hundreds of pounds. The difference between VF and EF can be thousands. The temptation for sellers to 'upgrade' a coin is too great and it happens with dismaying regularity....