I have a question about how I rec'd a 2008 Proof Silver Eagle from the US Mint when the Mint's online Catologue says they are not available to ship until 2/29/08? I rec'd & was billed for the Eagle in January.
I subscribe to receive the ASE proofs from the mint annually and my coins were shipped on 1/6. The 2/29 date on the website is only an estimate. It's possible that the mint was able to produce coins ahead of schedule, or that there were lots of returns to the mint, or people cancelled their unfulfilled orders. From reading threads in another coin forum it appears that some collectors buy in large quantities from the mint, submit the best coins to be slabbed so they can make a hugh profit, and return the coins with obvious flaws back to the mint. The mint has a 30-day return/exchange policy on their products.
It's because when you received your coins they were available. Now, they are not - all the coins they had on hand ready to ship are gone and they have to wait until more make it thru the system. And realize the system is not just the mint itself. First the mint makes them, then the mint ships them to a distribution and packaging center. And the coins have to go thru that system as well before they are actually shipped.
