lostwords said:
People gotta stop comparing the price of Bullion and NCLT coins. NCLT coins will never be charge at spot price. Even if the NCLT coin looks like garbage and no one wants it, it still be selling above melt value.
Bullion isn't charged at spot price either.
Most people understand that there is a cost involved in turning silver into a coin, distribution and marketing and the cost of the fancy packaging and certificates.
Most people are happy to pay a reasonable amount to cover these cost.
Most people are also happy to pay a bit extra for coins minted in limited numbers.
But, it is also fair to point out that many of the Non Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) sell far below their issue price when they hit the secondary market.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...t-from-overpriced-souvenir-coins-6294131.html
But it isn't just the new issues which are overpriced...http://www.goldsovereigns.co.uk/wealthwarning.html
Looking at some of the recent coin guides in Australia you can see the same thing, NCLT coins from previous years with catalogue values well below issue price, and only showing slight increases when the silver spot was rising.
No one minds paying a bit extra for a fancy, limited edition in a nice box, but people know when they are being taken advantage of.
While buying my20 coins I saw a set of London landmarks
http://www.royalmint.com/aboutus/news/portrait-of-britain I figured they would be a bit pricey but they were about twice what I would consider paying.
Then add the fact that they are selling a collector album for circulating coins, they have a couple out, a nice idea which I think a lot of countries have. Except for the Royal Mint's offering, when you finish filling all the spaces with coins you will find a space left over. This is where you put the 'completer medallion' a pointless medallion which will set you back an additional 3 on top of the 5 album. In my mind collecting the coins to get a full set is enough of an achievement, having an empty space in an otherwise complete album is just annoying.
They are a business like any other and they need to make enough to cover cost, employ workers and make a profit. It is just a shame that they have priced themselves above what I am willing to pay, fortunately there are many other mints around the world so there is no need to stay 'loyal' to one particular mint or series.
As with most NCLT, you buy it if you like it, if you buy it to speculate on price rises you might get burnt.