BackyardBullion

@BackyardBullion
Interesting. I agree with your opinions on the Royal Mint, Perth Mint and Germania. The figures from Perth Mint and RM may give some context. If RM say everything is fine, well, maybe it is from their perspective:
British Royal Mint sees record bullion demand in 2023 | Kitco News
The British Mint said that a record number of customers invested in precious metals products in 2023, increasing 7% compared to 2022
Then we have The Perth Mint who have struggled and the US Mint whose sales figures are mixed:
Gold prices will remain rangebound near $2,000 per ounce, silver could fall below $22 - Heraeus | Kitco News
Turning to silver, the analysts pointed out that sales of silver coins outstripped those of gold at the major mints last month. “January tends to be a strong month for both gold and silver bullion sales with the release of new-year mintages, and a 2.9% decline in the silver price seems to have helped,” they said. “From the US Mint, American Eagle silver coin sales grew by 24% year-on-year to 4.9 moz. Meanwhile, sales of American Eagle gold coins fell by 25% against sales in January 2023, to 123 koz, the lowest sales volume in the post-Covid era.”
Meanwhile, the Perth Mint saw lower demand for both gold and silver, but silver bullion products still outperformed gold. “Sales of silver coins and minted bars fell by 38% year-on-year to 769 koz, but gold product sales dropped by 62% to a nine-year low for January of 24.7 koz,” they noted. “Demand from the Perth Mint has been shrinking since the second half of 2022, despite a decline in apparent premiums from bullion dealers in that time.”
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Perth Mint, Germany, India:
Gold prices restrained by dollar strength, silver investment demand could rebound - Heraeus | Kitco News
Turning to silver, Heraeus said that U.S. investment demand from the retail sector is proving resilient but remains below historical levels, while physical demand outside the U.S. is falling sharply.
“With year-end sales now available, data from the US Mint shows that cumulative silver coin sales reached 24.8 moz in 2023,” they said. “This represents a robust improvement year-on-year from 16 moz in 2022, though is still nearly 16% lower than the 10-year average.”
The relative resilience of the U.S. market stands in contrast with other key markets around the globe. “Worldwide, physical investment in silver is estimated to have fallen by 21% year-on-year in 2023 to 263 moz,” they said, quoting the latest Silver Institute data. “Sales of silver bullion from the Perth Mint, which has been popular with German retail investors, contracted by 36% year-on-year to 14.9 moz, likely impacted by the VAT hike on coins in Germany.”
The analysts also noted softening of the Indian market due to higher silver prices. “India’s silver imports were down 59% year-on-year, signalling that consumer demand is considerably lower in the higher-priced environment,” they said. “Inflationary pressure and central bank actions will influence physical retail demand in 2024, which, with ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, could see some safe-haven buying and a return to investment demand growth.”
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I am not a fan of the Royal Mint pricing or quality control but if RM are the only major mint not suffering from declining sales, it's not unreasonable for RM to hold the opinions they shared. Of course RM's opinion on milking is atrocious and it's a national disgrace
On Maples and milking, I've noticed a fair few of my post-2018 Maples have milked, including 2022s and 2023s. From the RCM the Mintshield tech reduces and delays but doesn't eliminate milking:
A proprietary technology developed by the innovative minds at the Royal Canadian Mint, MINTSHIELD™ is the world's first and only proven solution for reducing white spots on every Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin dated 2018 or later.

Hi again @BackyardBullion ,
I liked the Freyja bar so much that I have just ordered one myself. They went on sale yesterday and were at a premium admittedly. Look very nice though so 'had to have one'. 
Will add it to Today I Received thread when they deliver (next month sometime). 
Dave

Sorry, somehow I completely missed this comment!
Yes, there is a very small weight loss of silver during the process but it is negligible.
There is no weight loss once poured though unless you end up doing heavy sanding work.
Stamping doesn't change the weight.
The mould and crucible are made of graphite and the mould was indeed a custom design I had made.

No need to apologise as I know you've been busy thanks for the reply. I did wonder at which point of the make you stamped the weight. 
Looking forward to the next reveal. 
Dave

That is a thing of beauty. Thanks for sharing. I could watch silver being rippled for hours. Love the highlighted text detail too. 
One (maybe stupid) question. In the stamping process do you lose any weight of silver or is it negligible if you do ? I suppose the weight is all put in place after hallmark and (most of the stamping) ? Am intrigued hugely by the process so apologies for the many questions. 
Dave 

Thanks @BackyardBullion for the thought provoking video, glad to see you're on the mend.
This video reminded me of a very informative TikTok which explains that you don't want to leave everything in your will-a trust might well be a better vehicle so that a chunk isn't swallowed up by generational inheritance tax.
Also, it can be better to not put the locations of your assets in the will itself but a separate document where you also list your bank details, pension info, etc.
I am not a lawyer, nor qualified to give financial advice and what this guy talks about is UK specific.
 

Nice job @BackyardBullion you must have been a busy chap!

Just Googled it, looks pretty cool! 
Not something I would buy personally though

Nice of you to give me a mention @BackyardBullion
Best Bully 🐮😜

Not my video, but well worth watching if you bought one of these 10 oz WSS bars

Not my video, but well worth watching if you bought one of these 10 oz WSS bars

Another great video and a good in site to it, I’m a 30 year old tubular technician at height (scaffolder) what is quite a dangerous job I use silver and precious metals in general as an extra insurance in case of injury And/or it’s just not a old mans trade, also pensions can cause disruption with your employer,
without going off subject,
apologies if I have I think the price of silver will rise gradually over the years, but not greatly until the 2033 mark when gold is set to take off I think silver will then have to burst and shoot up to maybe golds price today almost.
its fun, it’s investing it’s not squandering your money it’s looking to the future, I think we just need to enjoy ourselves.  

Thank you so much for this review on my project’s. I had very little knowledge on precious metals or casting etc until I started watching your YouTube channel .
So it’s all down to yourself @BackyardBullionfor the hard work you have put into your videos and hand poured silver that’s given me the drive to release my artistic side.
Thanks again 

Just added one to my stack, I blame @BackyardBullion for nudging me over the edge..... But thank you for doing so! Nice thick chunky coin! Love it!
 
Edit: This time I bought the 47 restrike. If anyone fancy's selling me a different year, to give my 47 a companion in the stack, sent me a PM.