Good news, for a change!

Well, I got a package today from the "Fulfillment Center" (read: US Mint) - the third recently. I've been unable or unwilling to open them because I didn't know what was IN them.

As some of you may recall from my earlier journal entries, the Mint previously did what it probably THOUGHT was a good thing: it delivered the 10th Anniversary Platinum Eagle Sets a week EARLIER than even scheduled from the backorder date.

What did that mean to me? That meant that since I was expecting plenty of other things from the Mint, when the FedEx driver knocked on the door on Christmas Eve with a package from the Mint's Fulfillment Center, I innocently opened it, after all, the Platinum Eagle 10th Anniversary Set wasn't even supposed to be SHIPPED until December 31st! My heart nearly fell out. As those of us who care about grading (and the value it brings) know, NGC will not certify both coins in this set if the box is opened. I "could" get the reverse proof certified, but for the cost of this set, I don't think so.

Therefore, I promptly returned it to the US Mint for a new one. Much to my surprise, they actually had new sets, apparently, and I got mine today. I am shocked, pleasantly so. I have of course kept the package sealed, and wrote on it what it was, then highlighting it in ORANGE, so I can place it in another box to send to NGC for grading and certification as a 10th Anniversary Set. HOORAY!

Oh, I forgot to say how I KNEW that this was the 10th Anniversary set. No x-ray vision here. The US Mint's web site (or portions of it) are FINALLY back up and running (as of today or possibly last night)! This includes ORDER HISTORY! Therefore, I was able to compare order number/tracking number to ensure what items were BEFORE I opened them (or didn't open them in the case of this 10th Anniversary Platinum Eagles).

Now, off to NGC and hope for a high grade after all this waiting.

On the upside, on Christmas Eve, I DID get a preview. I've already SEEN the coins in their natural habitat. The wooden case from the mint is gorgeous, and the coins are stunning. It's a great packaging job, and will go VERY well with my Gold 20th Anniversary set from last year, and the Silver Eagle 20th Anniversary Set as well. Treasures all!

(Especially with these metals hitting record highs again today, have you been watching that?!?!?!??!) As of this morning anyway:

1/25/2008 11:15:51 AM EST

Bid Ask Change

Gold $911.30 912.30 6.60

Silver $16.3300 16.3800 0.1070

Platinum $1,680.00 1,690.00 78.50

For those who are interested in the precious metal prices, most of the 2007 gold is sold out on the mint web site. However, two items were still available.

1. 2007-W UNCIRCULATED Silver Eagles -- $21.95 - Just a little more than $5 over melt value? Compared to the price for 2008 proofs ($31.95) and presumably what 2008 uncirculated coins may fetch, these may be a bargain.

2. 2007 PROOF Platinum eagle coins - the ONE OUNCE coin is $1,740.95. With platinum up almost $80 so far today, it's about $60 over MELT for an ounce of platinum.

*****This is NOT a recommendation on speculative prices*****I am not an expert on these things. However, when I saw coins available directly from the mint on their web site which was just brought back online, I thought I'd share it with people in case you are interested*****