He ain't chillin' 'cause he can't find the 'perpetual what you're listening to' thread. Assistance most extraordinary required.............
Cancelled my 3 sets from the US Mint and bought a graded set for my collection, Not impressed with the enhanced finish, The reverse proof still l0ooks like the best coin to me.
Ordered a pcgs graded set from modern coin whole sale and the enhanced coin has nicks on the rim visible to the naked eye. Looks like it was dropped. How can pcgs grade a coin as 70 with such an obvious flaw? I also purchased a pcgs 70 dcam proof eagle from silvertowne and it looked like someone sneezed all over it. Spots galore. I doubt I'll ever order another graded coin again. I believe dealers are making big bucks off restocking fee's. very disappointed on the enhanced having dings along the rim when it is supposed to be a brand new coin and it's already garbage.
I was so excited after reading all these posts about how nice there sets look and how happy they are with them. I couldn't wait to get 'em in hand and I get garbage
I got my PCGS-70 FS set from modern coin wholesale a couple of days ago and the enhanced coin has a couple dings along the rim. Let me know how yours look.
Hey greenie, If you read this, I would like your input. I didn't order an Enhanced set because I am saturated with reverse proof ASEs. However, I am thinking about getting the enhanced coin by itself. Here is my question: Being the great lover of these coins as you are, do you think the enhanced coin is attractive/special enough to own? I don't care about mintage, future value, etc., etc. I just care about it being special enough to enjoy in the present. I guess what I am asking is this: Is it a super-knockout coin the average ASE collector should have or is it just pretty nice? Thanks in advance for your sage advice.
I ordered none of these primarily due to the horrible QC issues the 2012 SF set had. I may buy a set at the local coin show but not until I have a good look at it... sounds like the QC issues haven't been fully addressed yet~
My Enhanced coin is perfect. The Reverse Proof has breaks in the frosting on the reverse rim. It's very common to have dings on PCGS 70 coins. That's very unfortunate because we pay a lot for their opinion.
Treehugger, it is my feeling that the piece is truly beautiful to behold up close and personal. It is something both unique and extraordinary at this time and something every collector of ASE's needs for their collection. Indeed I feel it to be "attractive/special enough to own" but remember I'm merely a humble collector who enjoys the series. I'm biased and bigoted with regard to the series as you well know, but don't let that fact sway your decision to purchase one. Now if you'll excuse me I'll have another sip of bourbon........
"Enhanced" can mean so many things: 1) a marketing gimmick from the Mint to sell way over priced unc. bullion while exploiting an arbitrary anniversary year with a coin series that's only a fraction of the age of that anniversary, 2) another enhanced profit year from newly manufactured, plentifully produced collectible products passing through any of a few subjective grading services as well as through any one of numerous wholesale coin dealing outlets, 3) an enhanced effect of spots or rim dings that pass supposed Mint Quality Control standards or are deemed acceptably 'perfect' (70) by an overworked, bleary eyed, or possibly under-skilled coin grader pressured to meet the demands of potential profits, 4) to a poorly washed planchet displaying spots said impossible to rectify by the very Mint espousing it's own product's exemplary virtues, 5) to a sick or allergic Mint employee or TPG grader who let a cough or sneeze enhance the finish of some unseen, hopeful collectors or flippers coin... Xeno, if you are upset with the companies you bought those coins from, do anything you can to get them replaced or return them for a reimbursement. I would argue also against any policy they have of a 'stocking fee' they may try to reduce from reimbursing you in full. Let them take the loss and recoup those fees from the Mint or TPG who passed it on to them. I know the problems may be none of the things I sarcastically cited above, but what's clear is that profits have killed quality and the last part of the chain, the buyer, you, are handed dreck and expected to accept it. I've received scratched Proofs from the Mint on silver ASE coins and gotten gold coins that developed red spots in under 5 years from issue, and I was someone who ordered on day one from the Mint when new releases came out and take very good care of my collection. I also shouldn't have to buy 10 units of some coin knowing I'll have to to return 8 hopeful of getting the 2 that I wanted for my collection in the first place. Been there and done that, so now I'm done with the Mint's "special" and numismatic products. While the vast majority of consumers will not experience problems as mentioned or similar, it doesn't mean that many, many more out there in the vast quantities these products are being produced, aren't encountering various issues as you have. When the Mint shifted to robotic packaging and began extolling the virtues of it's latest laser frosting techniques on numismatic products, and began a rapid succession of sales gimmicks to sell bullion products during the recent PM price spike, I took one look at the quality of coins being issued (since about 2010) and weighed the numerous QC issues, against the mounting consumer complaints, prices being charged and voracious greed of flippers and wholesalers basically in cahoots with TPGs setting unreasonable market prices before collectors even have a chance to look them over and make the market the way collectors always have, and I put an end to the madness. I cancelled the subscriptions I had and ceased buying from the Mint and wholesalers. As an industry they've killed the point of the collecting through total exploitation and manipulation of the collector, who are now simply consumers duped into believing they are collecting. Xeno, try to get those problem coins off your hands or you will never be happy with them. Maybe you will accept replacements, but you shouldn't have to accept what is clearly not up to the standards you expected from all parties those coins have passed through to get to you.
Just cancelled my order. Ordered day one so well over 2 months since ordering and well over 1 month since sales ended. I don't mind waiting as long as everyone else is as well. Chance of getting Goldmart's or Silvertowne's or others' rejects has dramatically increased. Plus I am moving at end of month when delivery is scheduled and do not want it lost. This is a first for me...never canceled order from Mint. Oh well, life goes on. TC
Thanks for your reply, Mellow Eagle (any reference to your affinity for bourbon or your love of a certain U. S. Mint product is purely coincidental.) Damn, I was aftaid your response was going to be something like that. Now, I'll have to seriously consider getting it. I've been looking around for 1 of these flying solo without its reverse proof partner, but there are not a lot to be found. Ebay has just a few and they are going for over $100.00. We'll see what happens.
@treehugger: I second your caution about seriously considering what to do next... Best exercise caution and wait for the hoopla of the new to blow over, these things aren't rare given the mintage, and they will be around for a long time for you to make up your mind. That allows you the time to wait for the best price, especially after the next new thing comes out that everyone is distracted by and these are a thing of past "demand". Hang in there and you'll find the single eagle you're looking for.