June 2014 Releases

Regarding the teaching & exploring Canada subscriptions, I to was deterred by lack of a nice wooden display case. It may be a blessing after all, more money not tied up in monthly coins. The sacred teachings is very nice, I'd really love a set. However, I find the coin price prohibitive on a monthly basis, quarterly it's not too bad, then compared to spot it's ridiculous. The explorer set is another very tempting collection, which has a much better price point. Monthly is too frequent, and again display case isn't desirable. The bad thing regarding the subscriptions, is it ties up money, in case another desired coin is released. They are releasing too many subscriptions and series at the same time. Without having a timetable for releases, this just causes problems for the collector in the future.

My example: I had subs for 1 Oz O Canada & Great Lakes , then I was collecting: banknote/ glass bug/ traditions of hunting/ lost ships series of coins. So you can see how quickly this can all add up and cause trouble. I had to cancel all but 1 subscription and hold off of adding to the series I started. It's just getting insane. So currently I'm going to concentrate on haunted Canada & the birds of Canada series. Those two are more affordable and will not break the bank. The other coins I'll add as I can afford them. In my opinion, RCM is quickly pricing themselves out of the market, by offering too many subscriptions

@commems

You're right, the main thing in coin collecting is... obviously coins!
The thing is, it's better to have a nice box to display coins, as the main reason for collecting coins is actually to display or look at them because we find them attractive, nice-looking, etc. So having an even better presentation box for series allow us to show all similar and related coins (series) in a single box, which add to the "experience" of looking at the coins, compared in having all of the maroon clamshells opened.
Even more, if you subscribe and don't like the box, you don't even have the clamshells to display.

So, yes the coins are the main thing, but for somebody on the edge of buying, a nice box will make him commit much more easily.

And the other reason here is the delay between each coins... we are in a instant world, we now want everything NOW! Series used to be 1-2/year, now, they are 1/month (O Canada, Sacred Teachings, others)
Sacred Teachings is 110$/month... which is really expensive for a single series. Add a few other coins you like and other series you already commit, it's a heck lot of cash!
Quaterly or even bi-annual would have been better, and I probably would have subscribed.


I'm personally looking at the coin AND packaging as a whole. Nice boxes are becoming more popular in coin collecting... I'm a big fan of NZ Mint for years now, for this very reason! Their packaging is amazing!
Their latest series seems to draw a lot of attention (Disney sold-out, MTG near sold-out, etc.)

I agree with you TIPIT & pocket change 50! There are so many coins released from the RCM and I can't buy them all so the packaging sometimes is the determining factor for me if I buy it or not.
Maybe packaging is a Canadian thing ?

I agree wholeheartedly with Tipit's response. He said it better, than I did. Yes the coins are the first priority. However, I'm picky and enjoy a nicely crafted wooden box. To buy a nice wooden display case is expensive with Canadian shipping. There are photos of some of very nice boxes under the $100 ram topic. The thing is after spending upwards of $500 on a subscription, it's outlandish I feel to have to spend even more money on a nice display case. Lets face it they have given very nice display cases in the past. To avoid people cancelling after receiving the case, they can specify that X amount of coins need to be purchased, or the case is then charged for.

@ commens it's not whether you collect coins or cases, buy coins with a quality display to be proud of. If collectors didn't care how their coins were displayed, there'd be no after market for gorgeous cherry or walnut wooden cases. I look at a collection. Or set in its entirety , no just the coin on it's own

It's like displaying a $50,000 fine painting in a cheap $30 plastic frame. It detracts from the beauty of the masterpiece, as your eye gets drawn to the cheap frame. It's all you will remember seeing. To me the two are part of each other and not separate.

@ silveriod I don't know how to do it. However the title thread is 4th $100 for $100 ram coin. I believe it the last page or 1 before it. The photos of the display case is gorgeous, and it's pricey at $79. Of you'll have the case forever, so that needs to be taken into consideration. This thread is turning into a very good discussion. My thoughts when subscribing to a set, I should not need to buy anything extra for it.

The wooden cases in the photo in other thread in Nclt makes the coins standout and is a very attractive display. I can see using the cardboard box for the cupronickel .25 coins. It would be more practical. I can see some reasons they want to use cardboard cases. One being its easier to do custom designs, like on the teaching coins; it's a trade off on long term durability, which needs to be taken into consideration.

Commens, always has quality, thought provoking posts. He is very well informed and is very respectful of others. I learn so much about coins and their history for his posts, I always look forward to the gems of historical knowledge they contain. Commens is a true asset to coin community!! I marvel at the breath and dept of his knowledge. Maybe one day, I will know half as much. It's apparent he truly enjoys coins & sharing with others. Hallmarks of a true collector!

Not at all.
I just happy, that I can to save your time, and also can see, that any collector at any stage (novice ot with experience) has more or less same questions.

Thank you for the kind words, they are much appreciated.

One of the great things about coin collecting is that we each get to make up our own "rules" about how to collect. We all get to choose a method of collecting that makes us happy without any worries that we are doing it "wrong." Tough to beat that!