New UK Coin Designs Revealed...

BUSTED - Yep, my wife went online and noticed the $300+ charge from the Royal Mint. She was shocked because she didn't think UNC and Proof coins were that expensive. Of course I told her she was right....unless you decide to get the silver proof as well. :whistle: Call it an early Birthday present from her...KissSweet.

 

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Apparently they did. Wasn't there a fire at the Royal Mint recently?

As for the design, it's inventive. I only wish they had crowned the coat of arms on the pound coin.

 

I guess I'm old-fashioned. I am very disappointed with the new designs. While it is a novel design how the coins, when put together, show the Royal Shield of Arms. Basically all 6 coins show the same design. This idea is taken from stamp sheets when stamps are placed-together, form a solid design, so it's not so inventive. I'm an American but I would think there will be confusion for a long time about the values when using these coins. I wanted individual designs. I don't plan to order a set from the UK and I will treasure my old sets more. Incidentally, the US office of the British Royal Mint has closed so you must order from Wales and will be charged a hefty fee for converting US $ into British Pound Sterling.

 

The idea is pretty innovative for coins. It might be borrowed bu it stil is new to UK coins. I dont see anyone complaining about lack of ease yet. The designs are individual no 2 coins have the same design so I dont know what you are trying to say here. and lastly you do not get charged a hefty fee for conversion the sets are actually cheaper in the USA because you do not have to pay VAT.

 

Service Charge

It's not the Royal Mint that tacks-on a service charge, it's the credit card company. VISA charged my friend a conversion fee of over $13 and also raised her APR. Plus add-on the shipping and insurance charges, it doesn't pay to order. The Royal Mint recently closed their US and Canada offices so collectors are forced to pay these overseas charges now. I don't agree about the designs being attractive although the idea is novel. I guess I'm a traditionalist. I don't like coins where images are coated with gold, either. I feel it is tacky!

 

The concept is quite innovative for circulation coins, yes. As for the ease of use, well, British coins are made for the British, not for "visitors". And I suppose the fairly small font and the value not being in digits are not a problem for people who have been used to the coin sizes and metals for years and use them every day. As for the designs being portions of one design, that is right of course, and I like the idea of such a "theme series". No such thing as accounting for taste, I guess.

Christian

 

Seems those North American offices did not pay off for them. Similarly, I don't think the US Mint has an office in the UK or (Continental) Europe. Well, that is where dealers and distributors come in handy.

Those extra charges seem to be pretty hefty though. I have a Visa card too, and my bank charges a "foreign usage fee" for any payment that is not € based. But that is roughly €1 per $100 ... not terribly bad.

Christian

 

even on a ordinary prrof set you save close to 5 pounds in VAT alone about $10 us. The mint has a standard policy for shipping depending on where you are from you dont pay extra for anything. I have got a whole bunch of credit cards and no one charges a $13 conversion fee it might just be that your friend is going about it the wrong way.

 

The contest called for a theme in design. The winner actually thought about seascapes at first. YAWN. And as for you ''old-fashioned' and ''traditionalist'' guys...well there's a new ''shilling'' in town. So get use to it. Dont be old and in the way!

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=320246577587&ssPageName=STRK:MEDW:IT&ih=011

Looks like people are trying to sell the proof sets on ebay....but failing.


Sold for £10 ($20) less than the mint price.

There is nowhere really that dealers can buy coin sets like this in bulk at knock down prices where they can still make a profit....is there?

 

Thats awesome how when you put the coins together they form the shield. I doubt the designs will ever become very popular though considering each individual coin alone is very ugly.

 

look at the piedfort sets those are good with mintage of 3000 these things are for te hardcore collector money that wont come back in 20 years

 

It kills me that people don't see the beauty in the originality of the design. Simple, basic, beautiful. I am not a fan of foreign coins at all, but I can't wait for my sets to come in. And if I am not mistaken, the obverse of the coin is the same as past issues so things shouldn't change from that perspective.

BTW - I'm not bashing you Jonathon, I just used your quote because it points out two completely different points of view in one post. I agree with your first half, but I am addressing the second half as a general opinion.

 

buy the piedfort not the ordinary set only 260 pounds

 

Did you see how thick those coins were!?!?!?! WOW! I love them. Just a tad bit too much though.

 

easy cancel the other 4 orders they willpay for it and then some

 

That's not a bad idea.... let me look into it.

 

Received the UNC set today from the Royal Mint. At first, I was disappointed because the set arrived in a padded envelope. I hate when people mail me coin sets in these because they tend to get ruined. With the UNC set as thin as it is, I thought for sure that it would have been bent or damaged. I was quite surprised that everything was ok and the set was beautiful. I should have also bought the other UNC coin set when I had the chance, but I guess this will have to do. I just hope they don't sent the proof sets in a padded envelope.

 

I got my proof set inside the wooden mint box, which was inside a cardboard box which was inside another much thicker/stronger box which was inside a padded envelope.

Including the little clear plastic box that they are in the coins will be delivered inside 4 different boxes and the envelope.

 

they dont it is really cool the way they send the silver and the regular proofs nd the piedfort has great packaaging too