I have been looking at the Canadian Mint site and I'm very impressed. I think is so much easier to navigate. Also they display their products in bigger images which I find useful. In fact I am buying this in the next day or so: http://www.mint.ca/store/coin/proof-set-100th-anniversary-of-flight-in-canada-2009-prod530013 Does anyone have any opinions on which site is better to use?
I can tell you, that after approx 5 years, the RCM finally revamped their web site, and got it to this level. I agree, I think its outstanding..nice clear and large images. If i can make one reccommendation for you, place your order via telephone and not through the web. Either way you can still track your order via their web site. Just set up a user name and account before hand. I have placed numerious orders in the past via the web, and more times than not, the order just sits there in a processing status and doesn't move, for weeks on end. I have called them and they claim. 'we are having some problems with the web orders', and Ill push it through Just a peice of friendly advise.
Thank you for that advice. I actually placed my order on line and I was surprised to find out my card was declined. It seems I was never authorized to use my card on foreign transactions. So I called instead and did that way. I called a rep today because my account has not been debited and found out they only charge when they ship. Just like the US Mint. The only problem is that you have to take into account the exchange rate.
I've ordered products from the RCM's site in the past with no problems. In fact, the only problem I've ever encountered with them was when they were in the process of revamping their site and they lost my order. I just wish that there was a way to buy the Silver Maple Leaves from the RCM directly.
If you want to buy canadian coins, you can't buy directly from the RCM unless you live in canada, so I would probably do a google search for Canadian coin dealers, or if you're a subscriber of coinworld, you could even browse the ads in coinworld for Canadian coin dealers. Also, If you're looking to collect Canadian coins in bulk (unless the coins you're seeking don't circulate much in Canada anymore), you could, if you live close to the Canadian border, just go to a bank in Canada yourself and get rolls of Canadian coins from there, It'd be cheaper than getting them from a coin dealer if the coins your seeking just happen to be circulating in Canada, which can easily be found out by asking someone at a weclome center, especially on the Canadian side of the border since they probably handle Canadian coins and currency more than a welcome center on the US side of the border, but this would only be feasible if you live close to the Canadian border and there's no guarantee the banks in Canada will be willing to let you exchange rolls of coins for your paper money, even if you try to exchange Canadian currency for coins since even banks in the US are hesitant to give much coin for currency unless you have an account with them, but than again you might have better luck with a Canadian bank than with a US bank when getting rolls of US coins to roll search, but again, all of this is only feasible if you live close to the Canadian border.
Unless you live in North America, it seems. "The Royal Canadian Mint sells directly to residents of Canada and the United States. Anyone living outside of these countries should contact a local coin dealer to purchase Royal Canadian Mint products." http://www.mint.ca/store/mint/customer-service/faq-1100010#shopping12 I'm in Europe but have not tried buying from the RCM anyway ... Christian
