RCM Overpricing

I think the mints products are not for everyone, and their pricing does not affect their core customer base, so people like us on the fringe are of little concern to them. I just bought a 2014 Year of the Horse 2 Pound coin from The Royal Mint for $30, and it DESTROYS any coin I have seen from the RCM from 2006 onwards. The decrease in quality, coupled with the continued gouging on pricing, despite the dropping prices of both precious metals they use is unacceptable. But again, fringe.

Is RCM doing this because it is not selling enough?

I think they are trying very hard to get kids to collect (rich kids, that is). There's a stark difference between Victorian coins and those dinosaur coins. Even with older NCLT like the .500 silver dollars; they actually resembled a circulating coin. Today they all look like POGs.

I think the whole bullion thing of 2009-2012 was hijacked and taken over by mints realizing the trend. So we got commemorative bullion and art whatevers. Just give me a round disc with the purity, weight, and mintmark punched into it and sell it for a small margin; mint sales might double overnight and they won't get upset collectors.

I think the US Mint is smart in that they play it safe and don't draw on TOO much history or wildlife like Canada does. They have series that extend long periods of times to satisfy some collectors and to establish something that younger collectors can follow up on and catch up. RCM is a bunch of one-offs and messy collections, IMO. It's hard to finish a set and stay interested.

With the 1/4 oz. gold war of 1812 NCLT coin was released first sold out with a limited mintage of 2000, then the RCM produced a bullion version for goldline which was sold for bullion plus 30.00. In my opinion the NCLT purchasers got hosed but you are correct these bullion replica coins are just creating mass confusion, now you are getting a gold highlined 25 year maple leaf done by a German company that are selling for 500.00 that some people think it' a RCM product, what a mess

This is a great example.

I prefer government backing on my bullion, if possible, or numismatic value, IE, rare denomination J&M vintage bars.

If it was the Olympics, then that was 1973 through 1976. There was a time when silver was way below what it is today, and you could pick up a set of Olympic coins (14 x $5 and 14 x $10 coins) for less then the face value. I keep kicking myself that I didn't take advantage of that. That would have been the start of this Face value - vs - bullion value on coins.

It never made sense to me, as the Americans were scooping up the Canadian silver quarters by the dump-truck full for their melt value. Yet these - more pure Olympic coins were ignored as 'Bullion' for melting.

It wasn't until collectors asked for 'Fine' 99.99% silver instead of sterling, so we could avoid the taxes that are associated with any coins less than pure. (silver or gold) eg: the Early 1912,13,14 golds not being pure were subject to tax, despite being a true legal tender coin. (in it's day, explain that one to me!!) Yet, a 1/25th ounce coin that is never intended to be in circulation, and truly is not of 'bullion value' as it is overprice by at least 4 fold - no tax. (being essentially - jewelry or art)

All of these questions/ suggestions should be addressed so that some semblance of continuity is established. Collector, and Investor - should be on the same page.