Roy

There are a number of members I will buy from without a thought. Mostly previous private sellers, @Paul for example.
Long term members @arshimo2012 @ilovesilverireallydo @richatthecroft @watchesandwhisky @Tn21
Then there are guys I will one day buy from because they are active members who have a keen interest in the forum, like @James32 and @Leonmarsh.
Guys who have an interest/business they want to protect, like @DuncanWylieWilson and @arphethean.
Don't be scared to deal on the forum, but build a relationship first. I've built some great relationships here.

There are a number of members I will buy from without a thought. Mostly previous private sellers, @Paul for example.
Long term members @arshimo2012 @ilovesilverireallydo @richatthecroft @watchesandwhisky @Tn21
Then there are guys I will one day buy from because they are active members who have a keen interest in the forum, like @James32 and @Leonmarsh.
Guys who have an interest/business they want to protect, like @DuncanWylieWilson and @arphethean.
Don't be scared to deal on the forum, but build a relationship first. I've built some great relationships here.

There are a number of members I will buy from without a thought. Mostly previous private sellers, @Paul for example.
Long term members @arshimo2012 @ilovesilverireallydo @richatthecroft @watchesandwhisky @Tn21
Then there are guys I will one day buy from because they are active members who have a keen interest in the forum, like @James32 and @Leonmarsh.
Guys who have an interest/business they want to protect, like @DuncanWylieWilson and @arphethean.
Don't be scared to deal on the forum, but build a relationship first. I've built some great relationships here.

There are a number of members I will buy from without a thought. Mostly previous private sellers, @Paul for example.
Long term members @arshimo2012 @ilovesilverireallydo @richatthecroft @watchesandwhisky @Tn21
Then there are guys I will one day buy from because they are active members who have a keen interest in the forum, like @James32 and @Leonmarsh.
Guys who have an interest/business they want to protect, like @DuncanWylieWilson and @arphethean.
Don't be scared to deal on the forum, but build a relationship first. I've built some great relationships here.

There are a number of members I will buy from without a thought. Mostly previous private sellers, @Paul for example.
Long term members @arshimo2012 @ilovesilverireallydo @richatthecroft @watchesandwhisky @Tn21
Then there are guys I will one day buy from because they are active members who have a keen interest in the forum, like @James32 and @Leonmarsh.
Guys who have an interest/business they want to protect, like @DuncanWylieWilson and @arphethean.
Don't be scared to deal on the forum, but build a relationship first. I've built some great relationships here.

There are a number of members I will buy from without a thought. Mostly previous private sellers, @Paul for example.
Long term members @arshimo2012 @ilovesilverireallydo @richatthecroft @watchesandwhisky @Tn21
Then there are guys I will one day buy from because they are active members who have a keen interest in the forum, like @James32 and @Leonmarsh.
Guys who have an interest/business they want to protect, like @DuncanWylieWilson and @arphethean.
Don't be scared to deal on the forum, but build a relationship first. I've built some great relationships here.

There are a number of members I will buy from without a thought. Mostly previous private sellers, @Paul for example.
Long term members @arshimo2012 @ilovesilverireallydo @richatthecroft @watchesandwhisky @Tn21
Then there are guys I will one day buy from because they are active members who have a keen interest in the forum, like @James32 and @Leonmarsh.
Guys who have an interest/business they want to protect, like @DuncanWylieWilson and @arphethean.
Don't be scared to deal on the forum, but build a relationship first. I've built some great relationships here.

There are a number of members I will buy from without a thought. Mostly previous private sellers, @Paul for example.
Long term members @arshimo2012 @ilovesilverireallydo @richatthecroft @watchesandwhisky @Tn21
Then there are guys I will one day buy from because they are active members who have a keen interest in the forum, like @James32 and @Leonmarsh.
Guys who have an interest/business they want to protect, like @DuncanWylieWilson and @arphethean.
Don't be scared to deal on the forum, but build a relationship first. I've built some great relationships here.

There are a number of members I will buy from without a thought. Mostly previous private sellers, @Paul for example.
Long term members @arshimo2012 @ilovesilverireallydo @richatthecroft @watchesandwhisky @Tn21
Then there are guys I will one day buy from because they are active members who have a keen interest in the forum, like @James32 and @Leonmarsh.
Guys who have an interest/business they want to protect, like @DuncanWylieWilson and @arphethean.
Don't be scared to deal on the forum, but build a relationship first. I've built some great relationships here.

I don't like to give or receive feedback on the forum.
Why? Anyone, a non-member, casual observer, can go on to the site and view a member's trading feedback.
Try it, log out and click on your profile...every transaction you've made. You are a wealthy man...🤐

Yes, you are correct, anonymity is safety but...
Let's say I'm a 'bad actor'
I've reviewed 'Roy's' feedback and I see he likes Britannias
I join the forum, chat for a few days, get some points and offer up some blinding Britannia deals. 'Roy' responds, wants to buy. I now have his bank details and address.
If he is selling, I now have his real name.

Yes, you are correct, anonymity is safety but...
Let's say I'm a 'bad actor'
I've reviewed 'Roy's' feedback and I see he likes Britannias
I join the forum, chat for a few days, get some points and offer up some blinding Britannia deals. 'Roy' responds, wants to buy. I now have his bank details and address.
If he is selling, I now have his real name.

I don't like to give or receive feedback on the forum.
Why? Anyone, a non-member, casual observer, can go on to the site and view a member's trading feedback.
Try it, log out and click on your profile...every transaction you've made. You are a wealthy man...🤐

An 1880 Sydney mint shield reverse sovereign. A true piece of history in hand.
A relatively nice example of a Sydney, Australian minted shield sovereign.
Victoria young head shield sovereigns are, in my opinion, one of the best designs.
But what also happened in 1880…. it wasn’t just the year this sovereign was minted.
 




 
1880 was an eventful year, aside from being the year this sovereign was minted, let’s go back in time.
January 22 – Toowong State School is founded in Queensland, Australia.
February 24 – The SS Columbia, which will be the first outside usage of Thomas Edison's incandescent light bulb, is launched at the Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works of John Roach & Sons in Chester, Pennsylvania.
March 31 – Wabash, Indiana becomes the first electrically lit city in the world.
April 18 – 1880 United Kingdom general election: William Ewart Gladstone defeats Benjamin Disraeli, to become Prime Ministerfor the second time.
April 27 – The Royal University of Ireland is founded by charter, allowing the Catholic University of Ireland to re-form as University College Dublin.
May 2 – After having her lights installed by Edison's personnel, the SS Columbia is lit up for the first time at the foot of Wall Street, in New York City.
June 28 – Australian police capture bank robber Ned Kelly, after a gun battle at Glenrowan, Victoria.
August 14 – Cologne Cathedral is completed, after construction began in 1248, 632 years earlier.
August 24 – The SS Columbia completes her maiden voyage, arriving without incident in Portland, Oregon, after a stopover in San Francisco.
August 26 – Competing circus owners P. T. Barnum and James A. Bailey sign a contract in Bridgeport, Connecticut to create the Barnum & Bailey Circus. In 1907, the circus will merge forces with another competitor, the Ringling Brothers Circus.
October – The Blizzard of 1880 begins in North America.
October 1 – German company Munich Re is founded in Munich.
November 4 – The first cash register is patented by James and John Ritty of Dayton, Ohio.
November 11 – Australian bushranger and bank robber Ned Kelly is hanged in Melbourne.
December 30 – The Transvaal becomes a republic, and Paul Kruger becomes its first president. (We’ve all seen this man many times on the forum.)
The above ‘events’ are taken from Wikipedia.
With any old coin, we really are holding history in our hands.

Superb sets from LC and Roy. Reminded me of the days when Bob Ilsley of Dolphln Coins used to deal in sets like this, especially  from the S.A.M.

'If you don't hold it, you don't own it!'
You'll come across this sentiment a lot but, for some folk, vaulting makes sense.
I use vaulting services for silver and platinum because I don't have a base and to avoid delivery charges and VAT. The cost of vaulting is quite low and in my opinion worth it.
There are advantages to keeping your wealth in different places.
https://www.bullionvault.com (Switzerland/London)
https://www.bullionstar.com (Singapore)
https://www.chards.co.uk/info/storage (Switzerland/Guernsey/Blackpool)

Other than a few RM sovereigns earlier this year, I’m completely new to precious metals. @BackyardBullionsignposted TSF on his YouTube vids and that’s how I found my way here and I’m so pleased I did.
Having set myself what I thought was quite an aggressive target for year 1, I’ve clearly gone head first into things and done almost 6 months worth of buying inside the first 5 weeks! I’ve found it thoroughly intoxicating and extremely enjoyable to be a part of.
Members of TSF have been great to work with and learn from. Some early guidance from @James32was super helpful and am very grateful. Then there’s all the deals done so far, having bought gold/silver coins and hand poured silver from @Auronum@StBeesSilver@BackyardBullion@kneehow2018@SilverAngel@Orpster@brnlx639@LiquidMetalsUK@silverseller@Nick1368@SilverTalent@Bullionstacker1993@Tangomachine@James32@modofantasma@FFposh@Chrispringle85@paulmoore who have all been welcoming and accommodating, making each of the sales dead easy.
I took a silver membership inside 24 hours as was keen to buy close to spot and figured the best deals wouldn’t make the 3 day timeframe (in fact some barely make 3 minutes) and it’s been well worth the small monthly fee so would highly recommend.
Consider myself extremely lucky to be in a position where I can afford to spend money on stacking and just as lucky to have found this place also. Actually went from focusing equally on silver and gold to focusing almost entirely on gold now and maybe a few bits of silver that I particularly like or something at really good value etc.
Have rambled on for long enough but just wanted to encourage newcomers to get to know contributors on the forum, encourage them also to take out a membership as it’ll help keep the place running and to say thanks to those I’ve interacted with thus far.
I hope to be able to enjoy being a part of this place over the coming years, and privileged enough to continue to build a stack that if I ever need to fall back on I may and if not, something my daughters can one day enjoy. Thanks all

Are the locals buying these bars as wealth preservation/ distrust of banks/ monday morning pawning or all of the above? 

Some combination, I think.  Not everybody has a bank account - the majority of folks in Indonesia don't - so stashing a bit of gold under the bed for a rainy day is common practice from way back.
Indonesia is much better set up for being poor in than any developed country as the majority of the population there still live in conditions we would consider poverty.  For example, the local communities are much more close-knit than one would expect here and neighbours go out of their way to help each other.  People will do fund raisers to help folks in need at the drop of a hat.   There's a lot of low tech there - kerosene and little Rinnai gas stoves are still widely used and there will be a warung (little corner shop) selling gas and refilling your bottle of kerosene every couple of blocks.  Staple foods, basic clothes and such like are very cheap, and one can get basic accommodation pretty cheaply.  
In a lot of Asian societies, keeping gold as savings is pretty common practice, and Indonesia is no exception to that.  It might also be said that corruption and some distrust of authority is a not insignificant factor, plus banking infrastructure is not available in every village and many folks don't have their own transport.  That aspect alone means there are a lot more little local shops as folks can't really travel long distances to go shopping.  Even the supermarket chains have many local branches - Alfa Mart, a major Indonesian chain, has something like 20,000 branches.
All that adds up to small size bars being a popular long-term savings medium.

Not sure who buys small fractional gold here, but -
Overseas, the buying power of folks in large chunks of Asia (Indonesia for example) is much smaller than here, so most punters don't have the dosh to buy (say) a 25g or 50g bar.  Also, silver and coins aren't terribly big there so most private holdings are in small gold bars. 
However, the premiums for small gold bars in Indonesia (and presumably many other parts of Asia) are significantly lower than than they are in Western countries.  For example, If I look at a UK dealer, the premium over spot for 1g bars ranges from 24 to 37% over spot where a 1g bar from PT Antam in Indonesia goes for about 16% over spot.  Similarly for 5g bars the premium from the same dealer site ranges from 11.7% to 13.8% but the premium from PT Antam is 10.8%.
It's worth noting that this is not quite an apples-to-apples comparison as gold sales in Indonesia also attract 11% VAT.  However, what we can see is that the premium for 1g bars is much closer to the premium for 5g bars than it is here.  Small bars in the 1-5g range are quite popular in those parts and the market is geared to folks buying bars of that size.
 

I have seen some Indonesian gold coins (try searching for koin emas on tokopedia) but it doesn't really seem to be a big deal there.  Not sure whether they mint them in house or get it done by a third party.
This outfit (PT Antam)[1] is an Indonesian state owned enterprise that deals in gold and mints gold bars, although I think they are mainly a mining company.  Most gold traded on Tokpedia in Indonesia seems to be domestically produced stuff from Antam[2], although you do see overseas stuff from outfits like PAMP or Valcambi.  At the moment gold sales in Indonesia also attract VAT at 11%.  I don't know for sure what gets traded in other parts of Asia, but as I understand bars tend to be more popular.
Due to the relatively small purchasing power of average Indonesian punters, really small fractional stuff in the 1-5g range is quite popular.  You can see loads of it on Tokopedia, which is a local site that does much the same sort of thing as Ebay.
I will likely be visiting the gold market in Cikini[3] (Jakarta) when I go there next week, and maybe I'll write something about it.  IIRC they don't like photos but we'll see.
Edit: I just checked and PT Antam is on the LBMA good delivery list.
[1] https://antam.com/en/precious-metal-price
[2] https://www.logammulia.com/index.php/en/purchase/gold#
[3] https://cikinigoldcenter.com/

Well said.
For clarification:
Our Blackpool storage is not VAT exempt, so makes more sense for gold rather than silver, platinum, or palladium. It is also quite easy for those who may wish to take delivery at some time in the future.
The Swiss storage is exempt from VAT, so is good for silver, platinum, and palladium.
We no longer offer the Guernsey storage for new deposits, mainly due to complicated States of Guernsey compliance and documentation.
😎

'If you don't hold it, you don't own it!'
You'll come across this sentiment a lot but, for some folk, vaulting makes sense.
I use vaulting services for silver and platinum because I don't have a base and to avoid delivery charges and VAT. The cost of vaulting is quite low and in my opinion worth it.
There are advantages to keeping your wealth in different places.
https://www.bullionvault.com (Switzerland/London)
https://www.bullionstar.com (Singapore)
https://www.chards.co.uk/info/storage (Switzerland/Guernsey/Blackpool)

1952 SA Proof Set
Reverse pic off internet but I do own this set 😀

1952 SA Proof Set
Reverse pic off internet but I do own this set 😀