Excitement is building again for 2013 West Point Silver Eagle Sets as photos of some that have already been delivered are beginning to appear around the Internet. I thought I’d throw a few more out there.
To get a sense of the quantities ordered and of the varying shipping times, we placed several orders at different times in the day when the Silver Eagle sets launched on May 9, 2013. Our first order went through within five minutes, and that one was shipped and we received it on Wednesday.
The box of Silver Eagles sat for a few days unopened, teasing like a present under a tree. Today made for a good day to open it. It was great holding the reverse proof and enhanced uncirculated coins in hand. I gazed upon tons of them earlier this month when visiting the West Point Mint — just two days before the sets went off sale with orders at 281,310, but there was a lot going on then and the scene stealer that day turned out to be all the gold bars.
But anyway, and without further ado, here are several photos showing the packaging and coins for the 2013 West Point Silver Eagle Set. For comparison purposes, at the very bottom are photos of the new enhanced uncirculated Silver Eagle coupled with a regular proof and a regular uncirculated Silver Eagle.
Photos of Packaging, Coins and Set
VERY beautiful set indeed, alas, mine has been revised from 7/24/ to 8/8 to now 9/30 as ETA. I am extremely sore that the mint can have such variances for ETA and also such huge variances for delivery dates when my order came in through within a few hours or release. Well, hope the drop in Precious metals prices stays that way until 8/8 when the RP Buff’s release.
Thanks for the pics, the enhanced eagle looks HOT! I don’t know why it’s considered Mint State and not Proof. I have read the debate a few places. My 2 cents… if the “enhanced” Five Star General coins are proof these too should be proof.
They are very beautiful and very expensive. I doubt that the price will drop with the drop in silver prices, after we already committed to buying them.
Got mine in hand Wednesday, a thrilling surprise. Jut looking at the enhanced is quite unusual….it’s call uncirculated, yet it has proof flourishes. I do feel for all who had trepidations about ordering a coin set without limits on production. In reality, ALL US coins have production limits, with them being produced for 365 days tops. It may seem cynical to view it that way, but this set was a sure-fire keeper in the minds of hundreds of thousands before it was available for sale. He who hesitates is last (a little variation on the saying). Wait’ll later. Even with… Read more »
I ordered a few the first day they were available, and some on the last day. The last purchase is scheduled to ship before the first purchase. I hope the mint hits a home run with this. Maybe it will overshadow their Keystone Cops ordering, computer, and fulfillment systems.
@Kevin,
Your statement about delivery dates is very extraordinary, though not for a government entity who seem to do everything A$$ backwards. Congrats if you already have your sets in hand! Of all the Mint purchases, I wanted to have one graded first strike, I think I will qualify for “Last Strike” at the rate my dates are moving from July to August to now September.
Me too. My order of 2 units at 3:04pm of the first day (5/9/13), was assigned a ship date of 7/11/13, then about 6/20 it changed to 6/27, on 6/26 it changed to 7/25 (1 month delay; big dissapointment), on 6/28 changed to 7/19 (first strike cutoff date?). My 2nd order of 1 unit placed on the last day of sale, 2 hours before ending (6/6/13 2:54), sat there with an unchanged ship date of 9/30, until today (6/29), where they changed that ship date to 7/14. Obviously with these dates changing like lotto numbers, and a last day of… Read more »
Same here too. Why are the shipping dates changing. My first order is now going to be shipped later and my other order I did later on is now going to be shipped earlier then the other? What’s going on.
Are we really that surprised that the Mint ship dates keep moving?
Legend – Since when have production of all US coins been constrained to a calendar year? Until just recently the rolls for the 2010 “shield” Lincoln penny, annual sets and the occasional spouse coin were sold for longer than 365 days.
I just went and looked at the new “expected ship date. It’s “6 units backordered. Expected to ship on 09/17/2013.” Every damn TV seller has them already, graded and have shipped. But, I and I’m sure, thousands of U.S. are sucking hind tit, where it comes to being on the “priority list.
Ordered and confirmed 6 sets at 12:47 pm on opening day May 9 and they still haven’t shipped on June 29. This illustrates what a scam the “First Strike” designation is. Any knowlegdeable collector knows the Mint does not ship sets in the order manufactured or can collectors have any reason to believe that the Mint honosr the “First Ordered First shipped’ promise. Grading companies that use a ship date window are committing a fraud on collectors with “First Strike” nonsense. If I see a “First Strike” label on a product listed on eBay, I know the seller was cheated
Eugene – I’m new to this, and perhaps naive, but they claim to have a first in, first served order fulfillment system. And one would expect that a delay in orders at the front of the queue, would likely ripple down to all subsequent orders (unless they add extra manpower / resources)… But there is no way that a last-day order should indicate a ship date ahead of a first-day order. Something is messed up.
I’m not overly concerned with the shipping date. I have been following along as have others to the shenanigans of the mints shipping department. My first day order at about 3pm. has gone from the original 7/25 date all the way up to a 6/17 date and then back down to a 7/19 date. My last day order sat at 9/30 for the last few weeks and then moved up to a 7/14 date the other day. I get that the mint is supposed to be doing a FIFO but I think they should have not allocated truck loads to… Read more »
Oh – and I forgot – excellent photos! I like the reverse of the “reverse proof” but the obverse seems to have lost a lot of detail when done this way. I think the enhanced wins based on the photos I’ve seen so far.
My order was placed in the first five minutes. Original ship date of 6/17, was shipped 6/28. It was reserved and in stock from 6/17. There is no way they are doing a FIFO.
Obviously, some dealers are getting preferential treatment. I order an additional unit on 5/12. It has bounced around some, but generally, it has stayed in the 9/17 area (once it bounced to 7/25) where it is now.
I ordered one on the first day and they just sent me a notice that mine is now on backorder and the new expected shipping date is 9/30/13.
According to PCGS, if you sunbmit your coins in the original unopened Mint packaging it will qualify for First Strike designation regardless of ship date.
I ordered 2 sets on 6-5-13… Ship date started at 9/30/2013….now it says 7/16/2013. Just adding this for reference for folks who are trying to determine the method to the Mints madness…
I ordered sets the first day and one set the very last hour of ordering. My last coin set is going to ship out before my first order. So the first in first out of sales is wrong. It’s when every the mint decides to ship what they want when they want. I would agree big dealers probably get coins that should be sent to other people. I don’t plan on selling but still the mint should have sent out orders as they came in not jumped around. Also sounds like these wont be as common on the market when… Read more »
TJ – to get a FS label the coins have to be recieved by PCGS within 30 days of the start of shipping. I’ve read elsewhere that date has been set at July 19th.
Thats why I suggested the large resellers are probably thrilled with this process right now. They have inside connections to order however many sets they wanted on the 1st day – and due to the way these are being shipped – they will have the majority of the coins eligible for FS labels.
In other words – they win/win all the way around.
Thanks for the info thePhelps. I was hoping they meant the sealed package would allow for the FS designation. I guess we’ll all see but you are right about the resellers.
Its more US Mint BS, I got into order within 15 minutes, took about 1/2 hour to close out & confirm, I was said to shi pon 6-15..WHERE IS IT?? Oh I got an email today now delivery date is 9/17….pure US Mint BS to us, the crack smokin coin lovin choir…..we ALL need to go cold turkey on this bunch of rip off clowns, 5oz silver bullion price <100 US Mint sells @ $180! Ahhh freedom aint free
Update info gang. I got an email tonight saying mine were shipped today. I ordered in the first hour of sales. I’ll keep you updated.
I called to check on my order and got a hold of a “team leader”. My order went through at 1:25. The team leader was adamant about FIFO. I told her that it wasn’t being honored. She said it could be because there was a problem with credit card holder. She mentioned the big dealers briefly but didn’t defend or acknowledge any preferential treatment.
First strike, last strike, it means nothing but for the suckers paying for first strike status in the after market.. The mint will even tell you that with these coins no one can determine a first strike coin is superior to any pulled from a later date. First strike should really mean early postage, because that is all it is.
Bob I agree 100% with that sentiment. The problem is that the new collectors are caught up in the pretty labels and the verbiage “First” and assume they are purchasing something that has added value. In the current market “they” are the only reason it has added value. I’ll buy a FS/ER coin if the price is no different than any other coin, but I am not going to pay extra for it simply because it has a pretty label or an otherwise enhanced holder. In fact – I prefer OGP. I’ve even had people tell me the FS labels… Read more »
FS should mean Fraudulent Scamming, Something made up by the grading companies and dealers to rip off customers. I could care less which strike I get.
When does slabbing make a difference? When the coin requires a credential to verify it. Handy for older coins, but new ones? Besides the SF mint eagles ( and who cares whether it is ms 69 or 70, the cost difference is ridiculous), why would anyone need to pay extra for a slab? A collector can’t purchase a coin capsule? We were sold on protection, yet fake packaging exists all over ebay and other sites. This is what happens in the commercialization of any commodity. Attempts to add value where none exists, to sucker buyers out of a premium. Slabs… Read more »
When you buy from the U.S. Mint, Perth Mint, or Royal Canadian Mint, It is just plain dumb to get it graded. Proof is proof. What is the difference if it comes back 69 or 70? It’s just people are brainwashed by the bs, And these grading companies are getting filthy rich. First strike & early release, The biggest joke in the world. The hobby was fun and exciting back in the time. Today it’s just one outdoing the other. Leave your coins proof in the original packaging. When you send to these grading companies, How really do you know… Read more »
Unfortunately it is the scammers that have made slabbing a big business. Due to the large difference in price paid the closer you get to a “70” this is the only way you can trust a seller if you are purchasing “on-line” and not in person. Even in person crooked dealers at coin shows have added to the problem by overselling the novice collector. I agree that this is not as necessary with new coins, as you will not get less than a “68” from the US Mint. Even so unless you are a certified grader how can you be… Read more »
Ronnie… that is one of the problems with grading. I even heard a TV show coin seller say that in the not to distant future people will realize the difference between 69 and 70 – has to be explained using a lope – and most people wouldn’t follow what is the difference. In other words – you can’t see it and wouldn’t know it if you did. I don’t remember what coins he was selling at the time (69’s or 70’s) but the point actually was pretty valid. That being said – I’d pay more for a 70 if I… Read more »
tP – the Graders were providing a good service to the collecting community until Greed took over. Now it is a case of “Labeling Gone Wild”. It has confused many and you are absolutely right about not paying more for the label. The US Mint has issued a warning about the legitimacy of the First Strike / Early Release labeling.
A word to the wise: Do not pay more for a paper label!
Fair or not, my experience is that graded coins engender more confidence than raw coins. And higher prices. Many of you have been investing and collecting longer than I. My first US Mint purchase was in 2006. When I joined NGC and pcgs (now just NGC) I learned that if I buy extra coins, get them graded, wait 2-3 years, sell most and keep a few, the ones I keep have a net cost to me of zero. Free money. So I will play the grading game as long as it continues to be profitable. Braille silver coins were the… Read more »
I have something to say about the PC practice of almost everything with a Braille label. At highway rest areas, there are signs, with words on them and Braille, also. Whom are these signs for? The men’s sign is obvious, but how many blind people has anyone seen, stumbling along, feeling for a sign that tells them, “pee here, if you are a man?” The same goes for the women’s Braille sign. One rest area had the Brail signs, behind a shrub and the handicap sign in the same place. Whom was the sign for, the blind person pushing the… Read more »
So, when will the Mint ship these sets? Mine isn’t due until the end of September. Why would it take so long to produce and ship these coins?
Finally, I received my coins today, July 5th. It is an exquisite set. Kudos to the production units. As for the distribution? …