AppleZippoandMetronome

Whether intentional or not I do feel the current way the RM is selling these packaged up historic coins is wrong and very much has the potential to take advantage of people who don't know better. The cobbling together of coins and marketing them as something special when they aren't is nothing new but I do think its especially problematic coming from a place like the Royal Mint. From what I've seen the RM has quite a good reputation and level of trustworthiness amongst the general public. I would think there are quite a few people out there who wouldn't expect to be taken advtange of by the RM but that is what is happening when the RM puts these things together and tries to sell them as something special. All businesses have to make money but the issue I see with this is its dressing up something to be more than what it is so it can be sold at a much higher price than what its worth. It is misleading and people will be swindled by it. Sadly it tends to be some of the most vulnerable in our society that get drawn into and swindled by things like this.

For a while now you may have seen I have been making comentaries on the seemingly extortionate prices of some of the Royal Mint's Historic Coin pricing. 
Today we see another example of outrageous prices with the Pistrucci 3 coin set. 
The Royal Mint have  valued two silver crowns (1819 and 1821) at a combined value of £600+ 
I am in the process of an investigation and deep dive into this and have reached out the the Royal Mint press office for comments (they have not been great in their replies so far). 
Lots to share in due course and it should be quite telling for the mint when published. 
What I would like from this thread is any community sentiments on this practice by The Royal Mint. 
They need to understand its not just one crazy guy with a YouTube channel that has a problem here. There are deeper issues at play which I feel very strongly about including but not limited to The Royal Mint profiteering from the unsuspecting public that don't know better and who take the valuations from the mint at face value. 
If you have an opinion on this and you would like it to be shared please post here. 
If you would rather remain anonymous please feel free to PM me and sentiments can be shared that way. 
The Royal Mint is in my opinion taking a direction that will ultimately do serious damage to their brand and reputation. My goal is change, but I will settle for consumer awareness for the wider population. If I can save just one person from buying a coin 10x the true value that is my job done. 
Any thoughts/comments and opinions are most welcome.
Remember, this is a public forum and thread and comments may be publiushed on YouTube.

Good to read this and hope something comes of it. I've expressed my own thoughts on this subject in other threads so won't dwell too much on it but I do very much see what they're doing as just taking advantage of those who don't know better and do feel it is wrong.

As for this coin I'm very glad we've reached a point where I could completely lose track of these releases, not get up early, not queue yet still get the 2oz silver to keep my Great Engravers set going. No stress.

What you need?

Good to read this and hope something comes of it. I've expressed my own thoughts on this subject in other threads so won't dwell too much on it but I do very much see what they're doing as just taking advantage of those who don't know better and do feel it is wrong.

As for this coin I'm very glad we've reached a point where I could completely lose track of these releases, not get up early, not queue yet still get the 2oz silver to keep my Great Engravers set going. No stress.

Typical they take advantage of people that don't know better. 
I am currently doing a big investigation into their historic coin pricing, its shocking what they are up to in my opinion. 
More on this to come. 
I would highly recommend anyone that bought the 3 coin silver set to cancel/return as it is a TOTAL rip off. 

Sadly nothing new and ebay doesn't seem to have any interest in doing anything about it as its been going on for years. I've reported many very obvious fakes over the years and they never get taken down. Ebay enjoys their cut too much and doesn't seem to give a damn about their platform being used this way.
At least you've done the right thing in educating yourself enough to know how to check. Many people buy first and learn all that later on down the road when its too late to do anything about it.

Sadly nothing new and ebay doesn't seem to have any interest in doing anything about it as its been going on for years. I've reported many very obvious fakes over the years and they never get taken down. Ebay enjoys their cut too much and doesn't seem to give a damn about their platform being used this way.
At least you've done the right thing in educating yourself enough to know how to check. Many people buy first and learn all that later on down the road when its too late to do anything about it.

Just a warning that I should have known better. I saw for sale on eBay some Scottsdale mint 1 oz bars that looked really good price just slightly on the bargain side,the seller had 100% positive feedback with money back guarantee so I bought 2 , I tested when arrived and oh dear they stuck to my silver slide like you know what to a blanket,so I messaged the seller he says oh I didn’t know how can you tell etc . Upshot is I returned said bars and get money back. Lesson hopefully learned. But my question is why do eBay who must know this is going on,let it happen ? . I have reported to them but don’t hold out much hope of them ever clamping down on these frauds . So new members like me just be careful out there.

100% agree with @dicker. I really have a very visceral reaction when I see some of the stuff they've repackaged to make look so much better than it really is. Its the same tactics places like Westminster Collection use to (IMO) scam people who don't know any better. Its probably worse coming from the RM though because I'd imagine your average person would think the RM is a more trust worthy institution than places like WC. I think going down this road is fundamentally wrong and I do think it is very much scam like behaviour.

100% agree with @dicker. I really have a very visceral reaction when I see some of the stuff they've repackaged to make look so much better than it really is. Its the same tactics places like Westminster Collection use to (IMO) scam people who don't know any better. Its probably worse coming from the RM though because I'd imagine your average person would think the RM is a more trust worthy institution than places like WC. I think going down this road is fundamentally wrong and I do think it is very much scam like behaviour.

100% agree with @dicker. I really have a very visceral reaction when I see some of the stuff they've repackaged to make look so much better than it really is. Its the same tactics places like Westminster Collection use to (IMO) scam people who don't know any better. Its probably worse coming from the RM though because I'd imagine your average person would think the RM is a more trust worthy institution than places like WC. I think going down this road is fundamentally wrong and I do think it is very much scam like behaviour.

How about this lovely Canadian dollar for £50
https://www.royalmint.com/shop/world/1961-Elizabeth-II-Silver-Canadian-Dollar/
Caught my eye as there is an eBay seller who will ship you one from Canada for less than half the price

They have a few crackers in world coinage, especially what they charge for bank notes.  As an example this Isle of Man £1 note for £75
https://www.royalmint.com/shop/banknotes/Queen-Elizabeth-II-1990-Isle-of-Man-1-Banknote/
Then the same note on eBay

Shocking.
The other end of the scale this Hong Kong 1975 $1000 for £3215
https://www.royalmint.com/shop/monarch/queen-elizabeth-ii/Queen-Elizabeth-II-Hong-Kong-1975-Gold-Proof-1000/
Cant see a recent sale of this year (last one I can see was in a Coin Cabinet auction in 2020 for £725), they have one at Atkinsons at the minute, a 1986, for £940.
If you have not seen it already the Coin Cabinet have actually added a tool to view old auction results by coin which is really good, you will need an account to log in.  The shown prices do not include buyers fee's which is a bit of a pain as they have both normal auctions (usually 6%) and premium (18% I think) but you can also view their previous auctions to check what the buyers fees are if you are so inclined, but every price needs a minimum of 6% +VAT adding to it.  https://thecoincabinet.com/auctions/auction-results/

I really don't understand the direction the mint is taking with these kind of releases and coins.
It's obviously just pure profiteering and unfortunately it targets people that don't know better.

For me it’s the sets that the RM come up with mixing old and new. 
https://www.royalmint.com/shop/coin-sets/Charles-II-Premium-Exclusive-Set/
92k
At least you get a wooden box!

Sadly ebay really is a bad place to shop for collectable items worth more than a few £s unless you really know what you're looking at. I had my own run in with this on ebay when buying a valuable retro game cartridge for a friend as a christmas gift. That field is not at all my speciality but I know enough to spot the obvious fakes a mile away and I know to open any cartrdiges to check the boards inside for authenticity. The one I got was not authentic despite coming from a seller with really high feedback and numerous assurances that the cartridge had been checked. When I notified the seller and sent pictures of the board the reply I got was an absolute freak out about how I'd destroyed the item which he still claimed was authentic. I opened a case and got my money back. I had to send the item back but I did permanently mark it as fake so it couldn't easily be resold. Not that this matters as it costs a couple £s to buy a replacement off Aliexpress that can then be easily turned around for over £100 to someone who doesn't check things thoroughly.
The potential profit for the morally bankrupt seller is the problem. For any of these things the potential profit is high enough to make the few nuisance cases of people seeing what is actually going on worth dealing with. Even if only one out of every 10 sales results in the item going to someone who just accepts it there is still enough profit to make that worth while for the seller. Do that using a number of accounts enough times and there is sadly probably really good money in it.
The average buyer does really need to educate themselves when buying on ebay but equally ebay really needs to make more of a point of highlighting the fraud that they collect fees for on their platform and helping more people avoid it. They really have done an exceptionl job when it comes to dodging their responsibility on this.

Sadly ebay really is a bad place to shop for collectable items worth more than a few £s unless you really know what you're looking at. I had my own run in with this on ebay when buying a valuable retro game cartridge for a friend as a christmas gift. That field is not at all my speciality but I know enough to spot the obvious fakes a mile away and I know to open any cartrdiges to check the boards inside for authenticity. The one I got was not authentic despite coming from a seller with really high feedback and numerous assurances that the cartridge had been checked. When I notified the seller and sent pictures of the board the reply I got was an absolute freak out about how I'd destroyed the item which he still claimed was authentic. I opened a case and got my money back. I had to send the item back but I did permanently mark it as fake so it couldn't easily be resold. Not that this matters as it costs a couple £s to buy a replacement off Aliexpress that can then be easily turned around for over £100 to someone who doesn't check things thoroughly.
The potential profit for the morally bankrupt seller is the problem. For any of these things the potential profit is high enough to make the few nuisance cases of people seeing what is actually going on worth dealing with. Even if only one out of every 10 sales results in the item going to someone who just accepts it there is still enough profit to make that worth while for the seller. Do that using a number of accounts enough times and there is sadly probably really good money in it.
The average buyer does really need to educate themselves when buying on ebay but equally ebay really needs to make more of a point of highlighting the fraud that they collect fees for on their platform and helping more people avoid it. They really have done an exceptionl job when it comes to dodging their responsibility on this.

The vast majority of what I own is very safely stored away. There are some exceptions though which I make for some of the coins I am most into. I don't currently have anything on display as such but I do keep them within easy reach of where I work for moments I want to look away from the screen and just focus on something else for a while.
I have considered framing up some of the silver proof sets I have that I'm really into. Some of the 25cent sets from Canada or the 10p A to Z series. I'd also like to frame up the silver proof round pound run when I complete it. One day.

I'm wondering do you display your coins a shelf or do you normally just put it in a storage/vault.
This is more as a (semi)numismatics side since I feel like stackers will mostly just hide it or put it in a vault.
For me, I enjoy looking at the coins that I'm collecting instead of putting it inside a vault. Well that until something nice I like to replace it.

That’s 2 that I know where they keep stuff now 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Best place for storing valuable coins is under floorboards but let close family know where they fcukin are.
Easy for you to access and what burglar is going to start ripping up floorboards ?
Why pay monthly etc for safety deposit boxes get your dosh paid monthly to the forum and lock up more deals 👍🏻

A Post of something Nice and a definitive guide to Importing Silver.
 
I like quirky sparkling things or Coins/Bars not available in the U.K. and occasionally Import.
Firstly- Look at the coin❤️ Worth it. Dragon Heaven.
Secondly- This is Importing SILVER from outside of the U.K. and the costs involved. Courier fees can Vary. I’ll be transparent as I’m not looking to flip a quick buck.
I bought 3 coins to meet the free delivery threshold ($300 Aus) from The Perth Mint Australia.  Cost for three- £172.91
I ordered them on the 27th Dec during their shutdown but knew they would be snapped up quick and can only find one supplier selling them in Europe for £100+ each. You would still be paying duties and fees on top from Europe. 
You cannot claim VAT back on SILVER.
Perth Mint are very thorough and update your order with tracking through FedEx. It’s an easy process. Packaging is always fantastic.
I received a message saying the VAT and handling fees are due to FedEx and have a portal link to pay £43.72.
Delivered. In my experience a 7-10 day turnaround.
Total- Coins £172.91 + all charges £43.72 equals £216.63.
Therefore 1 coin is £72.21. 
Still cheaper, better quality and more reliable than a Royal Mint Equivalent 1oz Proof of £103.50
It is legal, opens your eyes to other world mints and very satisfying you have something out of the norm. I appreciate they will possibly come to the U.K. and be cheaper but it’s always a journey and sense of satisfaction.

Sadly ebay really is a bad place to shop for collectable items worth more than a few £s unless you really know what you're looking at. I had my own run in with this on ebay when buying a valuable retro game cartridge for a friend as a christmas gift. That field is not at all my speciality but I know enough to spot the obvious fakes a mile away and I know to open any cartrdiges to check the boards inside for authenticity. The one I got was not authentic despite coming from a seller with really high feedback and numerous assurances that the cartridge had been checked. When I notified the seller and sent pictures of the board the reply I got was an absolute freak out about how I'd destroyed the item which he still claimed was authentic. I opened a case and got my money back. I had to send the item back but I did permanently mark it as fake so it couldn't easily be resold. Not that this matters as it costs a couple £s to buy a replacement off Aliexpress that can then be easily turned around for over £100 to someone who doesn't check things thoroughly.
The potential profit for the morally bankrupt seller is the problem. For any of these things the potential profit is high enough to make the few nuisance cases of people seeing what is actually going on worth dealing with. Even if only one out of every 10 sales results in the item going to someone who just accepts it there is still enough profit to make that worth while for the seller. Do that using a number of accounts enough times and there is sadly probably really good money in it.
The average buyer does really need to educate themselves when buying on ebay but equally ebay really needs to make more of a point of highlighting the fraud that they collect fees for on their platform and helping more people avoid it. They really have done an exceptionl job when it comes to dodging their responsibility on this.

Sadly ebay really is a bad place to shop for collectable items worth more than a few £s unless you really know what you're looking at. I had my own run in with this on ebay when buying a valuable retro game cartridge for a friend as a christmas gift. That field is not at all my speciality but I know enough to spot the obvious fakes a mile away and I know to open any cartrdiges to check the boards inside for authenticity. The one I got was not authentic despite coming from a seller with really high feedback and numerous assurances that the cartridge had been checked. When I notified the seller and sent pictures of the board the reply I got was an absolute freak out about how I'd destroyed the item which he still claimed was authentic. I opened a case and got my money back. I had to send the item back but I did permanently mark it as fake so it couldn't easily be resold. Not that this matters as it costs a couple £s to buy a replacement off Aliexpress that can then be easily turned around for over £100 to someone who doesn't check things thoroughly.
The potential profit for the morally bankrupt seller is the problem. For any of these things the potential profit is high enough to make the few nuisance cases of people seeing what is actually going on worth dealing with. Even if only one out of every 10 sales results in the item going to someone who just accepts it there is still enough profit to make that worth while for the seller. Do that using a number of accounts enough times and there is sadly probably really good money in it.
The average buyer does really need to educate themselves when buying on ebay but equally ebay really needs to make more of a point of highlighting the fraud that they collect fees for on their platform and helping more people avoid it. They really have done an exceptionl job when it comes to dodging their responsibility on this.