^ What were the sources? Crocs were available for preorder for ~$21.50 USD for a while, that's in the same territory as generic rounds. It's either the same price, or a tad higher than generic rounds, but lower priced than more established bullion coins.
There are a number of dealers on here. Perhaps they can weigh in. Even Bron from Perth Mint visits the forum perhaps we should ask? My understanding is the Crocodile is part of a new line up from Perth Mint and they are not a one off. Also they are NOT rounds. They are a legal tender government issued bullion silver coin, big difference. The question is not will they issue an unencapsulated coin yearly, that seems certain. The questions are: 1) Will they have a new design yearly? (undecided but likely) 2) Will they be different design of crocodile theme? Or different animal. 3) Will it be limited to 1 million again?
Cant see these selling many more, people have had 9 months to buy them and hardly touched them. Butt ugly. Might make them collectibles but Im keener on something that appeals to a wider audience. Crocs are meant to be ugly, koalas are supposed to be all cute and cuddly which is exactly what the 2014 (and other years) aint.
Since I was a lad I always stacked the croc, even though vintage Lacoste gear does have a great premium I'm happy to stick with the AG version from here in.
Bron doesn't work in the coin area of the mint - he's in a totally different role. The unencapsulated 25oz tube/500oz monster box format is here to stay - but that doesn't meant that the Crocodile is going to be part of a series even if other loose 1oz bullion coins are released in future, it could be a one-off or the start of a series. Word from the people at the mint that do know is that no decision had been reached as of a week ago. Anything public on the web at this stage is purely speculation. If a 1oz silver kangaroo is released in loose bullion form in the same packaging, that does not make it part of the same series - just like how the Kookaburra and Koala which are released in identical packaging are coins in different series.
Yes, all speculation but word has it that the 2015 Australian Kangaroo - Commercial Quality coin is next on the list. Just a pure bullion coin, "Similar" to the Croc. Commercial quality http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2014L00637/Explanatory Statement/Text So the Croc was the test dummy.
That is in agreement with what I was saying, right? They are part of a new line up. (unencapsulated coin) We don't know the details on the series... or answers to the 3 questions I posed. I think Holdfast is onto something after reviewing the link. Nice!!! Good, no, GREAT detective work! Looks like informed speculation. Kangaroo with as their next unencapsuled coin! So next year, the "informed speculation" is: No Crocodile 2015 Kangaroo with Patterned Sunrays Commercial Quantity Bullion Coin Question remaining... limited to a million? I think thanks to Holdfast I'd be a betting man on it, any takers?
Sounds similar but "a pattern of shapes representing stylised sunrays", what's that look like? Different shapes like sunrays? Hmm... can't wait to see it. Hopefully they'll use great designs! I'd laugh if it was like Wombat or Flying Fox... but a flying fox could be a great design!
This year's is AUSTRALIAN saltwater crocodile. Next year's is AUSTRALIAN kangaroo. Let's just call it the Australian wildlife series shall we?
The question asked was what to buy now. Crocs may have been initially available at spot + $1.99, but they are currently available for spot + $2.59 at Provident. Generic rounds are .79 over spot. To the generic round buyers, that is a substantial difference in premium. Would I personally chose Crocs over generic rounds? Yes. But then again, I have always thought that coins were generally a better investment than rounds.
Sounds good. I really hope Perth can make the Croc the first coin in the series for a "true-blue" Aussie bullion coin. An Australian wildlife series........ *Crocodile *Stumpy Tailed Lizard *Flying-Fox *Fresh Water Tortoise *Spiky Crayfish *Murray Cod *Striped Marsh Frog
Love it. Now they need to fire the koala designer, give the lunar and crocodile designers a higher paying job of designing the next coins. Could you imagine? They'd be winners.
