2022 Proof Silver 'Memorial' 50p pieces from Royal Mint

[Charliemouse]

As you may have seen on the "Today I Received" thread, two 50p pieces arrived at the weekend, that I ordered back in November(?).

Copy 1

The first was covered in marks and imperfections (highlighted), especially on the reverse.

The obverse is better, but has a long sub-surface scratch to the right of the head.

Copy 2

The second coin has far less imperfections, and I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, but when I held it to the light it was covered in milk spots / tarnish / discolouration - not sure the correct name.  And a really ugly spot on his nose.

I just wanted a sanity check from the forum here.

I haven't actually bought much from RM, and what I have bought before has been in very good condition.  Lucky I guess.

I assume this is unacceptable quality.  Sure, they are cheap, bottom-of-the-barrel proofs.  But still, they are proofs.  They were still about £60 each.  They should be better.

I am right to want to return them, right?

Edited January 16, 2023 by Charliemouse

[Shinus73]

Yes, you are right to return them.

The dirty / spotted surface has been very prevalent on proofs recently. Not good enough, but they seem happy to have them returned and have to make more.  
Bizarre business model.

[James32]

Return at your leisure ( believe you have 14 days minimum) I mention leisure, because the next set may need returning too. Hang in there as they should come good eventually.

As @Shinus73 mentioned, strange business model, but it's nothing but a percentage game for the mint now unfortunately. Not all ( actually very few relatively speaking) collectors are on the silver forum, so a fair amount of those have no soundboard-so to speak- and just assume that's they way things are made. 

If less than 30% are returned, then considering the premiums involved with proofs..thats still one very successful business. Sloppy but successful. 

[Charliemouse]

8 hours ago, James32 said:

it's nothing but a percentage game for the mint now unfortunately.

Yep.  It's cheaper for them to do it this way than to tighten up their processes, improve the quality of machines, QA, people, etc.

And yes, the majority of customers will just casually look at the coin, give it to their relative for their birthday, etc, and it will never be returned.

It's still a lovely design, and I really like it.

[bluffer]

least you have yours!

 

I am still waiting for my silver piedfort 50p.🤬  i dont normally buy them but because of the circumstances, i made it my first.  dispatching "soon" is the order status.  how soon is soon though?

[Charliemouse]

18 hours ago, bluffer said:

least you have yours!

 

I am still waiting for my silver piedfort 50p.🤬  i dont normally buy them but because of the circumstances, i made it my first.  dispatching "soon" is the order status.  how soon is soon though?

Yeah, I have a piedfort and a couple of others coming.  No sign of them.

[Charliemouse]

Dumb question.

Someone with experience returning to the Royal Mint... (should be a long list)

The postal instructions are terrible.  When you print the return label, there are actually 2 labels; it only ever mentions 1.

There's the shipping label, and the other label with barcodes that identify the order.

What should I do with the second one?  I've included a print of it inside the box.  Do I need to stick it to the outside?

Again, it is not mentioned anywhere in any instructions.

[James32]

Just now, Charliemouse said:

Dumb question.

Someone with experience returning to the Royal Mint... (should be a long list)

The postal instructions are terrible.  When you print the return label, there are actually 2 labels; it only ever mentions 1.

There's the shipping label, and the other label with barcodes that identify the order.

What should I do with the second one?  I've included a print of it inside the box.  Do I need to stick it to the outside?

Again, it is not mentioned anywhere in any instructions.

Place inside the box...

I assume its because they just scan the code to send package to right melting pot 😆 

Apparently just looking at the exterior packaging where it states the type of "coin" is time consuming. 

 

[Shinus73]

8 hours ago, Charliemouse said:

Dumb question.

Someone with experience returning to the Royal Mint... (should be a long list)

The postal instructions are terrible.  When you print the return label, there are actually 2 labels; it only ever mentions 1.

There's the shipping label, and the other label with barcodes that identify the order.

What should I do with the second one?  I've included a print of it inside the box.  Do I need to stick it to the outside?

Again, it is not mentioned anywhere in any instructions.

I just stick the whole thing on the outside - it's always worked.

[Sc391]

My account manager says my items will ship sometime next month….sovereigns, 50p, etc.  I’m resigned to being patient.
 

I am hoping for better luck 

[Brassic]

The royal mint needs to tighten their standards - nowhere near good enough

 

More professionalism, less greed 

 

  seems like they keep pushing out poor products for high cost with no real direction or thought process as to order, weight and keeping sets unique and important so buyers feel like the collections they are buying are not tarnished by bad choices and are worth the investment.

[bluffer]

and finally i have got an email to say the piedfort 50p is ready to be sent

 

 

 

 

 

but, its its been so long since the order i have to give my payment details again.  DOH!

 

but hopefully that means that they have now been minted and are ready to go after a proper (cough) QC check.  wish me luck!

[Sc391]

@bluffer I’m relieved to hear you received notice of the Piedfort 50p shipping.  I ordered two a long time ago and as of today, no notice.  Hopefully they show up in perfect condition.

[bluffer]

On 17/03/2023 at 00:09, Sc391 said:

@bluffer I’m relieved to hear you received notice of the Piedfort 50p shipping.  I ordered two a long time ago and as of today, no notice.  Hopefully they show up in perfect condition.

no idea about international shipping but got mine today.  from what i can see no imperfections.  but it does have that felt inside where the coin is nestled so you need to wipe the capsules of the small black hairs.

also there is no number on the coa.  wonder if thats the same for the other memorial coins, i cant remember.

[MBTPSilver]

17 hours ago, bluffer said:

also there is no number on the coa.  wonder if thats the same for the other memorial coins, i cant remember.

These were unlimited mintages, so I suspect they've just not bothered numbering them at all.

[Divmad]

9 hours ago, MBTPSilver said:

These were unlimited mintages, so I suspect they've just not bothered numbering them at all.

If folk like you all on TSF boycotted the Royal Mint sales of proof coins, maybe they would smarten up their act. 

[MBTPSilver]

15 hours ago, Divmad said:

If folk like you all on TSF boycotted the Royal Mint sales of proof coins, maybe they would smarten up their act. 

I've never purchased a Proof coin, I stick to bullion for investment purposes.