I recently purchased two quantities of '2012 10 Euro The Sower 10th Anniversary of the Euro Silver Proof Coin' from the American Precious Metals Exchange [APMEX]. The coins with their Certificates of Authenticity - signed by the Paris Mint's director, Christophe Beaux - and original mint packaging appear authentic. However, when I lifted the coin-holders to remove the coins for inspection, I found a 'Made in China' sticker/label each on the under-surfaces of the coin-holders within both boxes. I am curious to know if anybody else has bought the above coin and has also had a similar experience? In addition, would it be possible for somebody to upload an image of Christophe Beaux's signature? [I tried searching for it on the internet, but could not find his signature.] Thanks.
No, I did not buy that coin - just the entire series of €2 commems from all euro countries, with the same issue-specific design. But I don't find it that strange that the packaging material was made in China. Does not mean the coin was made there. Here is a German dealer's page where he published several close-up photos: http://www.emuenzen.de/verkauf/detail.php?lg=23125 Christian
i would guess maybe the boxes themselves were made in china. i would not be surprised is the us mint used boxes and holders made in china.
Hello, Christian, Thanks for your help!:smile I thought this might have been the case -- that the coin was minted by the Paris Mint, but the packaging was made in China. The website you provided is very useful -- thanks again! Yes, that's the coin I bought, with its Certificate of Authenticity. I really needed to see Christophe Beaux's signature to compare, so it's a big help to have this link. This is the first time I've bought something from the Paris Mint, so I'm a little uncertain about some issues. Yours is a remarkable collection indeed -- the entire series of Euro 2 commems from all the Euro countries!:smile Eileen
Thanks, but I'm not quite there yet. What I had in mind was the 2012 "common series" of €2 coins - see the third row from the bottom here: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/general/pdf/ten_years_euro_commemorative_coins_en.pdf My main issue with French collector coins (silver, gold) is that they cost quite a bit more than face value, and that the mint issues so many of them. But quite a few of the designs are beautiful indeed ... Christian
I agree that the French collector coins are beautiful indeed. And, I'd still say yours is a remarkable collection. As a matter of interest, do you think the Euro currency will collapse, at the rate things are going right now in the Eurozone? If the Euro were to collapse, do you think coins in Euro denominations -- such as the Austrian Philharmonics -- as well as the Euro commemorative coins will shoot up in value? Just curious, and need some expert opinions. :smile Eileen
Thanks for your reply and help! Didn't know the US Mint uses boxes and holders made in China -- had the impression they were made in the U.S. I guess it's more cost-effective to use some items made in China.
If you believe the euro is about to collapse, stay away from it. As for the Austrian "Philharmonics" coins, those are bullion pieces. Regardless of denomination, you will basically pay and get the bullion value, e.g. 1 oz of silver or 1/2 oz of gold. Christian
Thanks again for your reply, Christian.:smile I was thinking of Euro coins such as the Austrian Philharmonics in numismatic terms. If the Euro collapses, and no more Euro coins are minted, would the prices of these Euro-denominated coins -- especially the first and last issues -- go up in value?
If the world comes to an end on December 21, how will that affect the value of coins? Yes, I know that some people want the euro to "die"; whether our currency will do them that favor, I don't know. But the Austrian Philharmonics coins were already issued (as schilling pieces) quite a while before the euro came, and while their prices tend to be a bit above bullion value, they are basically determined by their intrinsic (precious metal) value. Not even different mintage figures influence the price, as such pieces are produced according to demand. As for "non-bullion" issues, I know that here in Germany prices of the DM coins did not go up when the € cash was introduced. Rather the contrary, but that could have had other reasons too ... Christian
I have heard that European stackers strongly prefer the Austrian Philharmonic (silver ounce), and are not particularly interested in the ASE, Britannia, Maple Leaf, Chinese, or Australian bullion coins. Can someone verify that, especially with a link?
Not sure as I am not particularly interested in such issues anyway- maybe this question should better be discussed in the "Bullion Investing" forum here on Coin Talk. The Philharmonics pieces are the only bullion coins issued in the euro area; whether that influences the purchase decision or not, I don't know. As far as I can tell, the price differences when it comes to 1 oz silver pieces, for example, are minimal ... Christian
Thanks again, Christian!:smile Maybe I'll start a discussion on this subject in the 'Bullion Investing' forum here on Coin Talk.:smile
