Did they really? I haven't kept up. Maybe I was lucky because I was checking mine out this evening and I have 2 gorgeous 2010s.
+1 I love the mint. They have made our coins for years and what would our hobby be without them!! We put these problems on ourselves. Who doesn't want a low mintage coin now and then...I DO! And that's why we planned and organized our lives to be on and set up to order these. It was announced and set up. We all had the same chance. It's not like pattern coins that are only given out to "special people". IMO quit your belly aching. You got them or it was your fault. Respectfully yours, Duke
You got it!! My avatar (today anyway) is him behind the wheel crying as he is driving home to momma. (He was a momma's boy if there ever was one.)
Back to the topic at hand. One would think the Mint would have learned by now since the entire debacle surrounding the 5 oz ATB coins wasn't that long ago. The US Mint operates at the behest of Congress. Complain to your local congress person and senators if you want to see change. Calling the gubment bureaucrats that have made these decisions will do little to bring change. They all report up through the idiot who is running currently running the Treasury.
+1 I originally ordered 5 sets because I want to keep 2 sets. I have had to return almost every set received from the Mint in the last year because it has arrived damaged. I realized that because there are Two key Date coins in this set I couldn't afford for them to be graded and slabbed PF69 before acquiring them so I placed my order. I have bought several ATB unc. coins and the 25th Anniversary Sets over the internet, and have always been able to place my orders in the first 20 mins. The Mint's Quality Control and Customer Service are definitely not world class but not as bad as many of the internet bashers. Whenever I have called and spoken with a Customer Service Representative they have been very pleasant and immediately addressed and fixed my problems. I sure hope I get two good sets out of the five sets I ordered. There will be a bunch of damaged coins sold on eBay. I hope that the purchasers aren't too disappointed.
I've been ordering for quite some time from the U.S. Mint, and have never really encountered any real issues. I also purchased quite a few 2010 Silver Eagles, and saw nothing wrong. I've heard of gouges on the frosted parts; noticed none of that. The U.S. Mint's customer service has always been highly professional, and very courteous. I, nor family members have found otherwise. To berate the U.S. Mint for trivial issues, regarding coins, is somewhat vain. I cannot comprehend why people become irate, blame the U.S. Mint, and try to diminish their stature. The U.S. Mint has resided in place for all these years, accomadating the many, to please the many, while trying to continually improve upon, and expand their process, to benefit all. Everyone speaks of "damaged coins", but have yet to see any from the United States Mint. Maybe, I'm lucky. Some stories are hard to fathom, when no corroboration can be identified by what I have received from the U.S. Mint. All in all, nothing is perfect. I cannot elaborate further, due to the restrictions in place by this forum. We wish the best to you, and we're sure you will be very delighted in the merchandise you receive. Actually, please let me know the condition, when you receive them. I will do likewise.
Sure Duke, I have ordered 6" of rain and then 2 ft of snow for you...coming up. Jim Let's move on folks!
Although, long ago, the Mint’s stated mission was to produce coins for commerce, this changed to include providing collectables at a stated profit. The inefficiencies, poor decisions, price gouging, etc, etc, etc we all see with the Mint is no different than we see with any monopoly. Monopolies are not subject to competition that forces them to provide a better service to consumers.
Wait, what? The last I saw, there were quite a lot of companies stamping out collectibles -- SilverTowne, Franklin, Danbury, and so on. What exactly are you trying to say? How many companies do you want minting US legal tender?
Well, I’d say you’re mixing apples & oranges. There’s only one company stamping out and selling US Coins. The point would be in our capitalist system, monopolies are bad for the consumer and should be broken up or if not, heavily regulated. Since breaking up the Mint is not an option, better oversight (regulation) from congress would be in order. If neither is done, don’t expect anything more than we’re seeing from the Mint. Now, you do make my point by mentioning other companies producing collectables. Since they have competitors, we see silver one ounce rounds offered for a minimal markup over cost, unlike the offerings from the US Mint.
The mint is not a company and thus by definition, it is not a corporate monopoly. In order to understand what the Mint you will have to go back to the US Constitution. Specifically Article 1, Section 8 states: (among other things) Thus, only the US Congress has the power to issue coinage for the United States. In order to facilitate this, Congress created the US Mint in 1792. So this isn't a matter of capitalism. (which doesn't exist now in the USA anyway, but different topic) It's a Constitutional issue. For this to be changed the Constitution would have to be amended and this isn't likely. Could the Congress privatize the Mint's operations? Possibly, but I don't see this ever happening. It would burn a lot of political capital to get it done and I don't see anyone willing to sign up for it.
Well, not exactly. Google "US Mint Strategic Plan", you'll find the Mint was directed by congress in the 1990's to act as a business and it's done so since.
You can call me a "basher" but I was not born that way- I have bought from the mint since the 1980's and in the past 2 years they have gone completely down the toilet- they used to be really good- I mean BETTER than private retailers but no more. They are literally the most unethical creeps out there. They literally charge your credit card without permission!! that is just criminal. I am disappointed that you give them any credit.
I don't see where this is inconsistent with what I said. Private companies are not directed by congress.