Perth Mint Great White Shark Toning.

[Shamatti]

I am in Lisbon for a couple of days, and came across a rather fab looking coin dealers. Popped in and they had all the favourites... Perth Mint, RCM, Britannias, Libertads etc etc. I looked at a couple of great white shark half ounce coins but they were all toned round the edges. He said that they all suffered from this and that his were mint condition and unopened. I was sceptical as they looked to me like they might have been handled round the edge and that had caused toning staring on the edge and working it's way inwards.

 

Any way - who has these coins? Are they toning? Has anyone heard of this being an issue?

[ChrisSilver]

The ones I have for the promotions are all perfect condition.

I am pretty sure that it would either be caused by poor handling or poor storage. Or maybe it is just a really humid place he has. Pretty early for natural toning though as those coins are fairly new, so I bet they were mishandled by some grubby hands or something. 

[StackemHigh]

All my Sharks are in perfect condition.

[Shamatti]

The ones I have for the promotions are all perfect condition.

I am pretty sure that it would either be caused by poor handling or poor storage. Or maybe it is just a really humid place he has. Pretty early for natural toning though as those coins are fairly new, so I bet they were mishandled by some grubby hands or something. 

 

Must admit that was my first impression. If you touch coins even just round the edge they can tone on the surface adjacent to where they were touched. I didn't believe him when he tried to tell me that they were all like that from the mint for some reason. He said they were in 'mint condition'! lol

 

It does annoy me slightly, rightly or wrongly. First there is the assumption that I am the sort of chump who would fall for that, which is a bit of an insult. Then there is the plain old dishonesty. And he wanted €20 per coin, which I didn't think was a bargain. He said that they have to charge 23% tax on all their sales, silver/gold everything. I found that surprising too.

[Pete]

Did he have a cigarette hanging from his mouth in the shop ?

[HighlandTiger]

He said that they have to charge 23% tax on all their sales, silver/gold everything. I found that surprising too.

 

Is the VAT 23% in Portugal? 

[Shamatti]

Is the VAT 23% in Portugal? 

 

Yes, it is very high here. It is different for different goods/services. 23% for non essentials, 13% intermediate for semi luxury stuff like bottled water, and also heating and fuel oddly, and a reduced rate of 6% for fresh food and rent and stuff. Not sure how they work out what goes in each band.

 

I thought investment metals were exempt from such taxation in Europe - with the UK being the exception on by taxing silver. Perhaps it's because it is a retail premises? Maybe just making excuses for his high prices!!

[HighlandTiger]

I thought investment metals were exempt from such taxation in Europe - with the UK being the exception on by taxing silver. Perhaps it's because it is a retail premises? Maybe just making excuses for his high prices!!

 

Some countries still tax silver, although I cant find anything about Portugal. Although if you think about it, if Portugal was zero vat for silver coins, like Estonia, then there would be dozens of portuguese bullion companies flogging us cheap silver.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_of_precious_metals

Country VAT for silver Finland^[2] 24% Germany 19% Netherlands^[3] 21% Slovenia 20% Poland 23% Russia 18% Sweden 25% Switzerland 8% United Kingdom 20% Austria 20%

 

[Pete]

Switzerland VAT only 8% so where are the dealers ?

[Shamatti]

Well, as I said, I was sceptical of his claims about the toning on the coins, why would I not be sceptical that he has to add IVA to silver AND gold sales? Perhaps he does, I have no idea. Not really sure I care TBH.

[sovereignsteve]

Switzerland VAT only 8% so where are the dealers ?

Switzerland not in the EU so would have to charge full VAT on any goods coming in.

[LongJohnSilver]

Switzerland not in the EU so would have to charge full VAT on any goods coming in.

i thought switzerland was still in EFTA though ?