Looking back at what the U.S. Mint has accomplished this year it is a banner year for coin minting technology. The 2019 releases have all happened under the newest U.S. Mint Director David J. Ryder. Let’s recap some of the highlights so far:

• 2019 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Five Ounce Silver Dollar  • 2019 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary $5 Gold Coin • 2019 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Clad Half Dollar • 2019 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Silver Dollar

The Apollo coins are curved, the five-ounce coin is a giant curved hockey puck. Holding one loose or graded it is clear how substantial and how curved they are. The grading companies, PCGS and NGC had to create new holders just to hold the coins.

• 2019 Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Platinum Proof Coin

Platinum is not the easiest metal to create a proof finish.

• 2019 Pride of Two Nations Limited Edition Two-Coin Set

This set produced by the two Sovereign Mints of Canadian Mint and the U.S. Mint was a pretty unique idea. The grading companies, PCGS and NGC came up with some very attractive labels commemorating the set.

• 2019 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin • 2019 American Liberty High Relief Silver Medal

Another great example of new high relief designs. The Mint provided great packaging in the form of a certificate of authenticity and a black lacquered wooden display box. Our customers enjoying receiving the Original Government Packaging, (OGP) with their orders.

• 2019 American Eagle One Ounce Palladium Reverse Proof Coin

The latest is the 2019 palladium coin done in a reverse proof finish. Another very ambitious launch for the U.S. Mint under David J. Ryder. Very low mintage and if the two previous years are any example, a mintage that will sell out immediately.

The one thing about all these issues is the supply chain involved to get to where our customers can purchase one of these examples graded by PCGS or NGC in MS70, PR70 or PF70. There is so much involved. Think about it, most are all are limited to one per household when released. They have to be sourced by the few large wholesalers in quantity.

They are submitted for grading. Keep in mind these are very tricky surfaces to produce. Curved finishes, proof finishes and reverse proof finishes lead to a very low percentage grading 70.

You then have all that cost of sourcing, shipping, stocking, submitting and grading with most missing the coveted 70 designation, instead rejecting and coming back in MS69, PR69 and PF69 or even lower.

So, remember, when you see the price difference between the U.S. Mint issue price and the price these coins are offered by us graded by PCGS and NGC there is a lot of factors to consider. Also keep in mind that what makes it so difficult to get these coins to grade 70 is also what makes them such attractive Investment Coins.

These are all very special coins and in very special grades that required a very involved process to get them to you. Enjoy.