"In my opinion"...

Greetings Collectors,

As 2009 began, many awaited the release of the much "hyped" Ultra High Relief "Saint". I too could not wait for that day, halfway through the month of January. I can still remember the night before that day at "noon", when sales would begin. As I lay in bed, thoughts of how I had saved my money and had the funds set aside."BUT" I had also been "drooling" since August 2008 about a set, a set that was much different than any other, a set I thought I must have. My thoughts drifted back to other sets, that up to now really did something for me and to me. They were the 1995 4-coin gold set, that had with it a "gift", a coin to reward those who purchased it & to commemorate "10 Years of Gold Eagles". The other was the 20th anniversary set in Silver & Gold, both coin sets having a new, never done before, "Reverse Proof" included within the group.

I really wanted that 1995 Silver Eagle, I still do. I just could not justify the "whopping" $995 for 4 gold coins, totaling almost two full onces of Gold & a VERY limited edition Silver Eagle. I also really wanted the 20th anniversary gold set, along with the 3-coin Silver set as well. I really hate not having the funds to purchase sets, unique sets, sets unlike any that came before them and not likely to come again. Gosh sometimes don't you wish that you could just go back? I did go out on a limb and purchase two of the 2006 3-coin Silver sets, but opened both, so only got the designation on the Reverse Proof (only sent the one set in) The reason being, having just lost my job of three years with D.R. Horton when the housing meltdown occured, the 20th aniv. gold set was not in the budget.

So this is two, very unique sets, sets that I would have loved to have but did not get & in retrospect, should have procured.. This brings me back to that night before 1/20/09 (or was it the 15th?). AS I lay there, I decided I wanted the UHR but when the next day finally arrived, I bought this 8-8-08 "Double Prosperity" set instead. I made this decision based on the fact that the UHR, was in my opinion a coin that would be available for some time. This other set was only going to be around for a few more weeks, a month or two at best. As it ended up, two weeks later the mint ended the D.P. set. The UHR is still around. One thing that happened that I do not think was right, was that they lifted the "limit" of one per household. The mint took what could have been a truely unique coin, and one that while not rare, would have been much scarcer. Then also throw in a grade of "70" coupled with an early release, the U.S. Mint took the phrase "ruin a good thing " to a whole new level. Sometimes I really wonder if anyone there has ever been a true "coin collector"? But what do I know? Just an observation.

I supose I should be relieved, as now while I still love the look of that "detailed" Saint, I may not spend the money it would take to get a coin that now, based on the latest mint statistics, over 100,000 have been sold. I think it would be safe to assume that well over half are in the grade of "70". So in hindsight, I am pleased with my choice, in having, on the "Buffalo" side, one of just 2,913 1/2 oz. gold coins, and that's if you take total MS-70's, early release and others into consideration. With the 1/2 oz. Gold Eagle, it's one of just 872 total "70's". So almost 3,000 of one and pushing 1,000 of the other does not make for a "rare" coin but the math is plain to see as to which is the most scarce. The very best I could do would be to spend close to two grand and have ONE of 60-70,000 coins graded a "perfect 70". Of course I may just be trying to make myself feel better, not having a UHR to call my own. I'll let you all decide on that one but I will say this in closing, this "8-8-08" is one "Fine" looking set, if I do say so myself. Happy Collecting to all of you... WKF

P.S I brought these two coins home from the bank today to reside, if only for a short time, in the "box" I received them in. I needed to do this as a couple days ago, I had this "box" full of "scrap" and for what ever reason, it just didn't seem right...