This is an absurd claim by 2 NY politicians...

They are not honoring or commemorating an event. They are exploiting one of the most horrible events in US history and IMO, they deserve all the attacks and criticism they get. If you don't understand why this would anger people, then you need to take a step back from your Franklin Mint products and gain some perspective. I like many of the Franklin mint products, especially the Monopoly Game, but their decision to exploit 9/11 for financial gain was despicable.

 

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Well said and I agree!

 

I would still like to know how he can tell the difference between a "WTC Silver Eagle" and an ordinary Silver Eagle. Is there a special pair of 3-D infrared goggles that you must wear?

Chris

 

This is not the Franklin Mint...its National Collector's Mint. FM has no WTC items. FM was at one time the worlds larget private mint. NC Minth has never operated an actual minting facility.

But other companies are offering building replicas etc for WTC..nothing wrong with honoring what was proud about the buildings plus the efforts to rebuild the wreckage.

Obviouslty people like to buy the WTC medals..they take pride in owning the item. As far as recovered silver...I have no idea but PCGS has labelled items as from the WTC.

 

Absolutely correct... and discussed here before:

http://www.cointalk.com/t15956/

 

It is obvious that you love the Franklin Mint. Since this product is not even theirs, why you are on such a crusade to defend it escapes most of us.

Yes, there is something wrong with exploiting the death of thousands of people for financial gain. The entire problem here is your failure to recognize that fact. It may not bother you tin man, but it does bother just about everybody else in the country.

 

This thread got me looking at all the 9-11 "commeorative" stuff that's out there. There's a ton of it. How does one really know if a portion of proceeds are donated to legimate organizations? This company states a portion is donated to two funds: http://www.replica3d.com/HTMLPages/CCorner/911Commemoratives.html

 

What if someone knew a victim but wanted a medal or what not relating to the event. Why should they be prevented from buying something they want. Its not the company selling it...they only sell it because people buy it. Should a company loose millions just to give silver or plated medals out for free so they wont profit from an event? What about the media and papers and all the advertisers with such who sell copies based on trajedy coverage?

 

Tell me, are all of you folks going to come out and call down the wrath of God and Government on the US Mint when they start selling AND MAKING A PROFIT! with THEIR tenth anniversary WTC medal later this year? Capitalizing on the death and tragedy of others!

As for the problem of "Did the silver really come for the WTC?" One PCGS "Death coin will provide enough silver to make 2,200 of these things, and that is if you don't mix it with other silver. Buy up some PCGS slabs and when people come asking point at PCGS and tell the people that they certified that it did. Then let PCGS worry about proving it.

 

I think your getting ahead of yourself...whether the mint makes money or not is kinda meaningless when the mint is donating money...the problem is the fact that these rip off artists ARE NOT DONATING A DIME!!! also they state their silver is from the WTC but they CAN NOT PROVE IT!

I realize your saying they could say they are from pcgs holders but the fact is they have already claimed the silver comes from bars...just no paperwork or proof said silver ever saw the inside of the WTC let alone was recovered from under the rubble...

it's only meant to profit from...the mint at least was ordered by congress to do it and is donating at least some of the profit least that's what I heard...

 

Yes Conder, I will. My wrath will be evident in the fact that I will not buy one of those things from the US Mint. And my wrath in this thread was only posted after the OP's unending attempts to defend the company selling this crap.

 

Back to NCM, I think these are the same people who put out that fake Buffalo $50 piece covered in "14 mg of pure GOLD!". I never have figured out how they can make this "thing" since it is almost identical to the US mints gold buffalo. If this is an example of their ethics then it is no surprise them putting this 9/11 commemorative out as well.

Just some more schlock that people will blame coin collecting hobby for when they find out its valueless. This is what po's me off.

 

The NC Mint buffalo coin looks like a round with a similar buffalo nickel design. It does not even resemble any real coin. If they did one in purse silver I would like to get one. As far as the WTC proof...we are talking $24.95. That won't even go far at the grocery store. And NC Mint has a very good full refund policy for many days after purchase. So its not that big of deal. I did like the Corvette Flip coin they did as well.

http://www.ncmint.com/product.jsp?path=-1|6897|1703&id=10747 $9.95....hardly a price to get worried about. Prob cost almost that much to strike.

 

....and you don't think a non collector, seeing this layered in gold with "United States of America" won't confuse the two? I have seen much greater differences in coins confuse the general public, which is what this firm is trying to do. Why else do they go on and on about how much the original is worth in their advertising? To make people think this is worth more than it is.

You may like this firm for some reason, I have been in this hobby for 35 years and can show you how many firms like this have popped up and given coin collecting a bad name when grandpa invested thousands in worthless garbage. When his kids bring this stuff to a coin show to sell, it is not NCM they get upset with, it is "those dirt rotten theiving coin dealers" who are blamed and get bad mouthed all around town. I just hate how it bad mouths the hobby.

IF a person is a knowledgable medal collector and likes their products, fine, but you know darn well that they are advertising towards the general public who's lack of knowledge this firm is counting on. Why do I see ads on general tv programs and not in Coinworld or Numismatic News?

Chris

 

Well one could argue that the general public may like the theme and want a collectible..but they dont have to be seasoned coin collectors. Its like the person who wants an Elvis colorized State Quarter...they may not be idiots buying that item...maybe an Elvis fan...they do exist. Yes I agree with the motive behind NC Mint advertising...but also a company should not be blamed for much of the publics lack of basic knowledge. How do you not know what your nations coins look like. These same people probably can't even list past presidents...or the basic themes of the constitution. Its like the person that drives through the crossing in front of a speeding train...claiming they though the train could just stop...if they make it that is.

Medals have often been gold plated....it gives the look without the price...what is wrong with that? Does someone really think they are getting solid gold for $25?? I dont think you can blame a marketer for that. Plated with gold is a feature of the product that should be touted in the ad. The facts are all there in the ad. Many bronze art medals have been layered with gold...in some ways it looks good.

 

Well I just looked at the law for the US medal and I may owe the government an apology. According to the law the mint shpould NOT be making any profit on this medal. The law requires them to be sold at cost to manufacture plus a $10 surcharge with the whole surcharge going to the WTC memorial and museum. So unless they pad their expenses the mint will not be making a dime on the medal.

 

Looks like the ad was pulled by NC Mint. However, I ordered one and it came...its a very well-done medal. What is the worst thing that can happen to someone out of this advertisement???? The worst thing would be for someone to get a very nice medal for $24.95. That is a cheap price for a professionally minted piece. Especially considering the extra minted piece that stands up....the trimming dies used to trim the shape out for the stand up. etc etc.

I also received the Washington Mint (Collectible America) Half Pound 25th Ann. Silver Eagle. In the past I had been dissapointed by the weak strike and cheap sculpting...but they cleaned up their act...the piece is stunning.

 

I would've bought it. That is WAY too close to the real thing

 

Except it is a lot bigger. lol And does not say $1 anywhere on it. I have always been intrigued by these Washington Mint pieces but they always fell short with a weak strike and thin sculpted detail. But the mint making these did an excellent job. I am guessing Sunshine Mint in ID makes these for Washington Mint.

 

It does Resemble a real coin, and in fact, is a replica of this: http://catalog.usmint.gov/webapp/wc...10001&storeId=10001&productId=15944&langId=-1.