Got my NP-1 today...it's ok, BUT... There are black spots inside the plastic container, and the plastic container does not hold the coin snuggly. the edges of the coin are damaged from the movement inside the plastic container. These defects should have been caught by Quality Control. Does the US Mint have a Quality Control department? My experience from my last few orders does not indicate that the US Mint has an effective QC function!
Dave: Did the coin come in a felt box? I am not sure that would be mold as opposed to lint or perhaps some fibers it came in contact with at some point. Perhaps you can open the capsule and take care of it. TC
Maybe the felt fiber got into the plastic container, but the damage to the edge of the coin from moving inside the plastic container can not be easily fixed!
I bought an Australian Silver Koala that had some black filaments in the sealed airtite, so I opened it up and cleaned the airtite no problem. However, it did not have any damage to the rim as you desribe. Sorry to hear that happened to to you. TC
Can you give us a shot of the edge Dave? I think we would all like to see what you discribe as damage.