The first lot won't be rare because all you need to do to make one is take one of the second lot and bash it around a bit. I think they just don't know how to handle and package them properly.
The rubbing inside the plastic is not the problem. These coins look as if they have been scraped or rattled in a hopper during production and the deep tractor marks shown on this picture are definitely nothing to do with shipping inside a plastic bubble. Looks as if the Mars Rover has ridden over the coin. Different coin here -
Just got off the phone with a direct call to the Royal Mint. Telephone number 44(0) 845 6088300 The lady I spoke to stated that their coins should be perfect and after I described my coins to her she could not believe they had left the mint in that condition. I asked if they sold seconds / rejects and she said no way. The mystery continues as my coins were in original Royal Mint sheets. Anyone familiar with these will note they are almost impossible to open without separating the squares as the sheets are made to pull apart into individual sections. Once opened you then have to figure out the alignment etc to reclose. My sheets were intact so haven't been interfered with. Another point is I just bought some more coins from a different supplier and some of these ( not all ) had similar marks. Conclusion - looks as if the crap coins are getting through QC - if there is such a thing at the moment. Maybe someone is pissed off at the Mint and still working there ?
Looks as if another client has quality problems also - Check out eBay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-BRIT...9-SILVER-BULLION-COIN-NOW-STOCK-/121019445539 Seller is Darlington Coins with a coin shop online and over 4,000 sales. I pasted their description below, note the comment on quality and no return - **2013, 2 BRITANNIA** ((("NEW" NOW .999 SILVER))) **1 TROY OZ OF FINE SILVER** ***THIS COIN COMES MINT SEALED*** PLEASE NOTE; THE ROYAL MINT FOR 2013 HAS MADE THE 2 SILVER BRITANNIA COIN IN .999 SILVER INSTEAD OF THE .958 SILVER, IN DOING SO THE QUALITY OF THE COIN IS VERY POOR. PLEASE NOT NO RETURN ON THIS COIN (SEE ITEM DESCRIPTION) THIS BUY IT NOW PRICE IS FOR ONE COIN Metal~.999 SILVER
I bought 3 coins from a german dealer and 2 of them had scratches all over the face similar to the pictures and 1 a bigger mark. Im very disappointed aswell. Got 10+ coins from 2012 with no marks or scratches at all.
those marks are from the coins banging together just after being minted like as they are spat out and bang on each other long before they get sealed up in the plastic. maybe they changed to a new system that's not working so well yet? but those marks are coin on coin marks.
None of my earlier coins pre- 2013 have any marks. ALL my 2013 have abrasions etc. as shown in the pictures posted on this thread. I just heard from another source that the Mint is aware of this issue and it was caused by a worn mat or something like that. That would explain all the scratches and abrasions on one side, if the coins slid down a chute and the bad surface was causing this damage. That still doesn't explain the lack of quality control - night shift perhaps; sleeping on the job ? Wonder how many got released before the problem was identified and hopefully rectified ? Maybe thousands of coins out there all crap and only worth melt value, yet to be discovered as bad - watch out !!
Apparently the coins fom the Mint are still being shipped in blister squares and are still crap with scuff marks. Has anyone succeeded in obtaining decent quality 2013 Britannias ?
Hmmmm I reckon the Royal Mint could be producing the .999 using the same processing method as the previous years and given the harder .958 the ejection and coin contact wasnt a problem but now it is. That might take some time to resolve if it needs new processing equipmnet to ensure a softer landing on the .999 to keep them damage free. So basically they just replaced the .958 blank with a .999 and expected them to come out undamaged, after all they got the keep profit up and costs down, could we class that as a Gov austerity measure /sarc. Just a thought Rockin'
Look at the obverse in the ebay listing, it is pitted. The blanks must not be very good either. Very, very poor work. http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages...,622940764,622940757&formats=0,0,0,0&format=0
Hi , I am a newbie to the forum, recently I had purchased the 2012 silver Britannia , very pleased with the purchase. In fact considering of getting the 2013, but I am aware that the 2013s are 999 fine silver, after seeing the photos, those nicks and scratches on the surface will only lessen the numismatic value of the coins, right ? I am wondering if those dealers will give "discounts" to those 2013 silver Britannia will nicks and scratches on the surface ?
Just an update on the 2013 Britannia - As of today December 27th it still seems near impossible to obtain these coins without major blemishes. A quick "round-robbin" of dealers suggests the Mint still is in denial but everyone seems to agree the quality is crap. However, another dealer stated none of their customers has reported a problem with their coins. Wonder if the buyers have checked them ?? Anyone with decent quality 2013 Brits let's hear from you !!
It will be another week before I get my Britannias, but I will reply to this thread with pictures and video once I have them. Both are PCGS graded (i did worry about production issues with the change to .999(9)), so I'm not expecting my slabbed ones to have the problems you've reported . . . I hope!
5 silver coinsreceived an ALL have issues. Its bad. Scuffs and reed indentations abound similar to other buyers, almost all on Queen's face. There are also noticeable rim scratches. on the left - still sealed!- reed marks are not on plastic.
Thoughts on a price rise/demand for the .958's now given they are discontinued and of presumably better quality?
Wow, these coins looks very bad. Where did you buy them? I saw gainesvillecoins stock picture looks great http://www.gainesvillecoins.com/products/162722/2013-1-oz-silver-britannia-bullion-coins.aspx
the premium for Britannia CANNOT be higher than Panda silver coin. Even though China increased the mintage of Panda coin a lot, but they still have an upper limit.
