New Silver Eagle SF Mint Two-Coin Set

My three sets confirmed shipped Oct 3 and show delivery in the 4th, will give my report once I see mine

I don't think that they give dealers early shipments, it is just that many dealers have large subscription orders and those are processed (along with small subscription orders)first. They are prepared for shipment on the day of release for most products. My subscription orders are typically entered a few days before a new product's release and in the case of ones that I know I booked shortly after subscriptions were available (like my single proof ASE order), usually ship on the release day or the day after. Likewise, large dealer subscriptions are prepared for shipment ahead of the release date and ship out that day. Also, established volume buyers get a net 4% discount (when the 1% shipping fee is included) so they can offer qualifying products at or slightly below mint prices.

Of course the dies are different, die sets for the RP probably last no more than 1000 coins and maybe twice that for normal proofs. When the 2008 reverse of 2007 uncirculated ASEs were struck, the mint estimated that 47,000 of them were struck because they found 15 2007 reverse die in the 2008 retired die stash, indicating that die sets for the uncirculated ASE strike 3133 coins on average. Die sets for the 2009 UHRDE averaged about 300 coins before retirement.

OK....coins came in and here are how my three sets turned out...
Set 1 ...
Proof... could go 70
RP... could go 70
(Keep)
Set 2 ...
Proof... obvious "brush stroke" hairline scratches below entire right half of tail feathers
RP... lots of freckles in the field under left arm and left of dress extending out to rim
(Going back)
Set 3 ...
Proof... dime sized milk spot on reverse off the tip of left wing. Huge scratch on the inside of plastic holder.
RP... lots of freckles nearly identical to set 2
(Going back)

Based on condition of packaging, sets 2 and 3 appear to have been previous rejects.

My 2 sets were shipped priority, not expedited, called CSR TOLD " WHY DID'NT THIS ORDER GO OUT EXPEDITED " and so another left hand has no clue what the right is doing shows it's ugly head, and I should have my sets sometime soon!!!!! PS, I hope ALL have the quality Erik received!!!!

One of my sets shipped yesterday but another order with a set said 10/31 when I ordered in July. Then it said 9/28 last week, now tonight it says 10/31 again. They need to get these dates straight.

I received mine today. Beware that of the 4 sets I got, the reverse proof in 3 of the sets fell out when I removed them from the packaging. The circular plastic holders are not closed tight. Other then that the coins looks very nice.

Received my last 2 sets, all coins were freckeled, ALL..... Not happy, thinking the mint, after all the QC complaints, would of done the right thing and made better struck sets and double checked the Quality on the sets, NOT....... :( Oh Well..... Some things just do not change, it could not hurt to hope and have faith..........

I received two sets on Friday and I am generally pleased. However, there is one defect (Set 1 PR OBV wrist) that is just visible to the naked eye and would cause the coin to drop to a 69 and all but one coin has at least one defect that is visible under the microscope. None of the defects are caused by handling, most are die issues, wear and tear of normal use, caused by the die "striking through" dust, fiber, or other small objects and then striking this coin with its now worn or damaged face. One (Set 1 RP REV shield) is a planchet defect that was not quite completely overcome by striking. In my opinion, only Set 1 PR would definitely be reduced to a 69, the others could still receive 70s, even at PCGS. Set 2 RP is absolutely flawless even under high magnification, a 70 in anyones book.

These pics were taken with a Celestron model 44302-B USB microscope, in its maximum resolution of 2592x1944 (5MP). Native resolution is 1600x1200. The pics were then reduced to 1067x800 and cropped to 800x800. All were taken at or near the maximum magnification of the device, with the focus at the limit and the distance adjusted to achieve focus. I have modified the device by removing its LED light ring which I find too bright and reflective for numismatic purposes. This is actually a very good tool, costing $50 to $60, which despite its intended use is capable of focussing from about 3" (object to sensor distance) to infinity. This means that it can be used as a general purpose camera. Its manual focus feature limits its versatility in some applications but it is still a lot of bang for the buck.

Set 1 PR OBV wrist


Set 1 PR OBV arm


Set 1 PR REV field


Set 1 RP OBV field


Set 1 RP REV shield


Set 2 PR OBV chest


Set 2 PR REV shield