Picked up this “Fabulous 15” privy mark Reverse Proof 2013 Canada Maple Leaf coin. They were limited to 3,000 mintage, and sold only in lots of 15 to European Dealers only. I managed to get this one from Canada.
Yeah I saw where it was. Just couldn't see WHAT it was. So the Fab 15 are referencing what? I don't really understand the whole privy mark on bullion thing.
I believe it was a program that the Royal Canadian Mint did where they added the F15 privy to 15 different world bullion coins (including the Maple) and sold them as a set (for a high premium). The only thing different about the coins is the F15 privy.
The f15 privy mark is well known as it identifies a bullion coin as being part of the "Fabulous 15 Collection" which is a range of world famous iconic bullion coins from mints around the world. Each privy marked coin sets it apart from other conventional coins of the same year due to being limited in their mintages. It's effectively a combination of numismatic (collector coins) and bullion (raw metal) worlds. Some silver purists are swayed by the limited mintages whilst some numismatists are engaged by the idea of obtaining a collectable coin at a reduced premium compared to some of the sought after proof coins in the market. Privy marks were also added to bullion coins to remember certain events. Mostly limited production coins. The f 15 were the top bullion producers and given this notoriety by the pureness of their coins. So basically you're paying a premium on a bullion coin for the fact they stamped F-15 on 1000 coins struck. As the other 9000 or what ever the mintage is dont hold the premium. So more or less the same bs like 1st strike coins. Another marketing ploy to make you pay $60 @ oz of silver that true value is market price on any given day. I will also add that unlike coins minted for commerce bullion coins arent limited by congressal acts. Thus mimtages can be adjusted by the mints to meet production needs. Thus the mint controls the market.
Whatever the “marketing ploy” is, as you call it, I like the coin. Since I don’t generally collect bullion coins, it gives it some exclusivity for me. I like the reverse proof Maple Leaf design, and think it is truly beautiful. So, this is fun for me, as a very experienced US coin collector, but far less sophisticated World coin collector.
