Black Friday and Beyond: Coin Deals as They Happen

Mint News Blog would like to harness the power of social media to help collectors get the best deals available during the holiday shopping season. We’ll start by posting several items here, and will continue to update the post when we find new items. Coins, bullion, supplies—everything remotely numismatic is fair game. Some items will save you a little, while others—hopefully, many others—will save you a lot. Readers are encouraged to share great deals in the comments, as well. And if MNB posts a deal and you smell a rat, please chime in—no one can sniff out a shady dealer or a bogus deal faster than the readers of this blog!

We’ll start with one-ounce, .9999 fine Valcambi Suisse gold bars from APMEX, which are currently listed on ebay at $1,186.49 with free shipping.

valcambi-suisse-gold-bar-1-oz

SD Bullion has a fantastic prices on several of the 2016 America the Beautiful five-ounce silver coins: Fort Moultrie at $95.26, Theodore Roosevelt at $96.26, and Shawnee at $97.26.  [[Update, Nov. 28 at 11:40 a.m.: For quantities of 1-9, Ft. Moultrie 5 oz. is back up near $100, and Shawnee is at $108.37. The TR sale is still active.]]

atb-bullion-sale-sd-bullion

Know of a great deal? Post it in the comments!   ❑



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BEFORE YOU COMMENT:

  1. Mint News Blog is not a retail website. If you wish to buy a coin or banknote, you should contact a reputable dealer. One of our sponsors (see ads at left and top of page) may also have what you’re looking for, so be sure to check out their websites.
  2. Per policy, we do not advise on the value, authenticity, or rarity of readers’ coins and banknotes. For this kind of assistance, you should contact a reputable dealer, preferably one who’s certified by the American Numismatic Association and/or the Professional Numismatists Guild.
  3. Vulgar and/or abusive comments will not be tolerated. Nor will trolls.
  4. Allegations of fraudulent or criminal activity against a named party, when said activity has not been proven in a court of law, will be removed.

Comments

  1. cagcrisp says

    Currently MCM has some proof FS coins in NGC PF70 for Under Mint pricing.

    I’m not a buyer of FS coins unless their under spot…

  2. Felson says

    The US Mint is running a “Black Friday” deal all orders over $100 from 11/25 to 12/11 get free budget shipping.

  3. earthling says

    I’ll be at the bottom of the mountain waiting for those who enjoy the thrill of a wild downhill adventure.

    Enjoy.

  4. cagcrisp says

    Wow…Someone made a BIG mistake…

    On my above link for the APMEX Gold Buffalo, Someone checked out 10 seconds After the Sale closed and instead of purchasing 30 @ $1,216.19 they purchased 30 @ $1,296.20…

    10 seconds cost them $2,400.30…

  5. earthling says

    To those that recently posted links to Dan Carrs Moonlight Mint website – Thanks ! I ordered 2 !

    I’m eagerly awaiting the Morgans. Too bad I missed the Peace Dollars. Maybe one day I’ll get a glimpse of a Carr version or maybe a real one.

  6. DBR says

    I don’t know if this is a deal (tongue in cheek) but I bought the LESPS yesterday for full mint price. I threw in an uncirculated National Park anniversary commemorative silver dollar. I get free shipping! I just hope I don’t get free milk spots!

    I’m eager to see the packaging. I’ve purchased all the coins in the LESPS already this year, but I like having them all together in silver in one set.

    I also buy the yearly uncirculated dollar set too. In the past some of the dollars in these sets have been the very best versions of these dollars all year long. Maybe they change the dies for the production of these dollar sets. It’d make sense.

    Thanks for the hints on other deals. I don’t always shop around. You all have done a lot of leg work tracking best vendors and sites over the years so “Thdbk you.”

  7. Imwithher says

    96% Sold . Only 3 hours left. $29.99 above spot. Not a bad deal IF you think Gold has bottomed…

    This should warn everyone when a company dumps stay away. I learned this in business 101 sorry to see this site going to the advertising route. One has to wonder what’s the kick back for posters I’ll tell you nothing. what’s in for the blog I’lll ask . what’s in it for you.

  8. So Krates says

    Imwithher has a valid point. I have heard in the past that Apmex fire sales are, more often than not, followed by large drops in the spot price within a few days.

  9. Gary Not Dave says

    @DBR
    I have bought a few of the 2012 and 2013 LESPS sets from the Mint. I didn’t have any issues with them. I haven’t bought any since 2013 because of the price. I think we just got lucky with the 2012 set from the US Mint cutting the 2012 silver proof set short for the year. I think the US Mint needs to revamp this series with maybe an S minted proof silver Eagle limited to 50k with a 1 household limit.

    What is really Limited about this set? The holder. Why not make it a real Limited Edition Set an add a coin that is actualy limited. IDK?

    And as a part of the new direction we seem to be going with Mint News Blog…Here is a word from our sponsers.

    Mint Products.com has good deals, also.

    BOUNTY..the quicker picker upper!

    Vlasic Pickles – “Best Tastin’ Pickle I Ever ‘Hoid”

    Dos Equis Stay Thirsty

  10. cagcrisp says

    I don’t know which is worse:

    1. Someone posting that having a Black Friday Sale EVERY YEAR would influence the World Wide commodity of Gold

    2. Someone believing that have a Black Friday Sale EVERY YEAR would influence the World Wide commodity of Gold

    Last year APMEX has a very similar Black Friday offering for both Gold and Silver. Black Friday last year Gold was $1,055.00 and Silver was $14.07

    Guess APMEX didn’t know that have a Black Friday Sale would make prices go UP in 2016.

    Good to know…

  11. data dave says

    I hope all the big PM dealers have big sales and try to dump their goods before the market crashes!

  12. earthling says

    The big dealers better hope Black Friday bargain hunters are out in record numbers. All the cool kids are looking to dump the heavy stuff and take a hot air balloon ride up as high as it will go. On the Wall St balloon – that is.

    👍

  13. So Krates says

    “Things are different now…” – earthling

    “Change is the only constant” “You can not step into the same river twice.” – Heraclitus

    “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” – Jean-Baptiste Karr

  14. fmtransmitter says

    true dat johnaz…by by MNB, it was fun…I will check in from time to time but I really do not see this for what it WAS…Used to be the best blog for modern US Mint products..Now it’s pumping bullion from over seas sources..???

  15. fmtransmitter says

    @earthling: glad you found Mr. Carr…He doesn’t make a lot of stuff so all his stuff remains rare and retains value among collectors…Have to keep an eagle eye and jump when he lists a new product, they go fast

  16. Louis Golino, Author says

    Sure are a lot of conspiracies out there. There are deals ALL the time with big dealers selling gold close to and even at spot for a temporary period, and it has absolutely nothing to do with what the market does. And then there are those who seem to think this post was some kind of scheme when it was simply an effort to allow people to share good deals they come across.

  17. Tom P. - MA says

    I too have noticed the APMEX conspiracy. I haven’t tracked it at all, but it seems after a big sale, commodity prices drop. Once is coincidence. More than that is something else. I don’t have a theory myself, I just notice it happens.

    I’m not at all concerned about the listing of Black Friday sales. Since this blog tends to go on about whatever is important to the hobby no matter what the topic on top is, we are in a dead zone right now. The big thing now is the LESPS sets which everyone knows is overpriced. Yawn.

  18. RSF says

    Thanks for the micro/macro phone lens link. It’s just what I’ll need when I eventually start selling my collection. Got one of each – the 4x macro for pictures and the 15x micro for use at coin shows.
    Looks like the in-focus sweet spot is at least the size of a silver dollar with the 4 or 8x macro. Glad they used a coin in one of their examples. The resolution/detail on that Lincoln cent is better than most pics on auction sites.

  19. So Krates says

    Louis Golino, Author says, “Sure are a lot of conspiracies out there.”

    Yes, prosecuting attorneys at all levels of government routinely charge and convict criminals with conspiracy ALL THE TIME. These prosecutors don’t wear tin foil hats. People do in fact often conspire.

  20. Numismatrix says

    MNB – Thanks for the link to the lens – I’ll get a unit for
    coins and various other photomicro tasks for my work.

  21. Imwithher says

    That’s perfect. I guess if you don’t want to do any leg work Louis you can come to MNB and find the lowest priced foreign bullion, or maybe the one’s MNB is in bed with. Drain the swamp MNB lets get back to US Mint news, story’s, in site. Oh unless you don’t have any then you wash and rinse old articles to save face. fm your onto something about this site. Not the one I remember.

  22. earthling says

    I’m looking at bullion Gold lately, both in Coin Form and Bars . As Gold drops like a rock off a cliff, I’m really wanting to pull the trigger. Anyone have any suggestions – AGE’s vs Maples vs Pamp Bars vs 1 oz vs 5 oz ? I think it would be really cool to get a 5 oz or maybe even a 10 oz bar. Once upon a time I was considering Rhodium but I’m now over that idea. If the Street stays on its path – up up n awayyyyyyyy – will Gold head back to early yr 2000 levels? If so I want a nice big bar.

  23. Peter says

    earthling

    Heard too many stories about counterfeit bars that are so convincing that they can fool seasoned dealers. I would stick to AGEs or maples.

  24. So Krates says

    @ earthling – The spread and liquidity are usually more favorable for gold coins. Nothing wrong with 1 oz. bars per se, just that the sell back prices are low and they take longer to sell privately. I would go with a mix of 1 oz. Eagles, Maples and some Krugerrands. Maybe for every 10 oz purchased, buy one ounce in 1/10 ths until you have a few oz worth. I’d stay away from any bars over 1 oz. The tiny volume discount on these doesn’t make up for the MUCH smaller amount of buyers interested at resale time. I suggest you get your bar fetish satisfied with silver. 5 oz. poured silver bars are unique, cool and collectible. Odd sizes like 3 oz., 7 oz., 20 oz., 25 oz., kilos, and 50 oz. are all fun to hunt down and play with. 100 oz. “doorstops” are great to own and never fail to impress PM newbies. While you run into a little bit less liquidity over the 10 ozers, it is not as pronounced as with gold bars and even at 100 oz we’re only talking about $1700 vs. $12K for a 10 oz gold ingot.

    Some silver porn for y’all…… http://silverstockreport.com/images/130-Silver-Engelhard.jpg

    @ Peter – The counterfeit bars are not that convincing and the only “seasoned” dealers they get past are the ones that are too busy to carefully check.

    http://silverstockreport.com/images/130-Silver-Engelhard.jpg

  25. Mike says

    Well I’m new to reading the blog and I am enjoying the articles – thank-you Diana.

    I’m a little surprised at how rude some are acting towards the “new” direction (which is new to me because I’m new).

    I see someone conscientiously writing articles that relate to the hobby when there isn’t much actual mint news to write.

    I like it. But what do I know?

  26. Imwithher says

    Mike read the header MINT NEWS BLOG not here’s the best deal blog, indulge us with good old American mint news not the wash and rinse kind. Not out in left field articles that have been rehashed news. Hell I’d even say lets talk about TPG’s lol

  27. CasualCollector says

    Looks like they removed the HH Limit for the WL Gold Coin…

    Could still take a while to move the remaining inventory…

  28. cagcrisp says

    @CasualCollector , thanks. Good catch

    TLTL

    Lifting the HHL will not have the same effect with the WLH as it did with the SLQ.

    Mints’s trying to get out in front of Possible $25 drop on Wednesday…

    TLTL

    SLQ needs to have already been pulled and WLH needs to be pulled in about a week.

    That’s the Only chance you have unless you have a long horizon…

  29. So Krates says

    @ earthling – The spread and liquidity are usually more favorable for gold coins. Nothing wrong with 1 oz. bars per se, just that the sell back prices are low and they take longer to sell privately. I would go with a mix of 1 oz. Eagles, Maples and some Krugerrands. Maybe for every 10 oz purchased, buy one ounce in 1/10 ths until you have a few oz worth. I’d stay away from any bars over 1 oz. The tiny volume discount on these doesn’t make up for the MUCH smaller amount of buyers interested at resale time. I suggest you get your bar fetish satisfied with silver. 5 oz. poured silver bars are unique, cool and collectible. Odd sizes like 3 oz., 7 oz., 20 oz., 25 oz., kilos, and 50 oz. are all fun to hunt down and play with. 100 oz. “doorstops” are great to own and never fail to impress PM newbies. While you run into a little bit less liquidity over the 10 ozers, it is not as pronounced as with gold bars and even at 100 oz we’re only talking about $1700 vs. $12K for a 10 oz gold ingot.

    Some silver porn for y’all…… http://silverstockreport.com/images/130-Silver-Engelhard.jpg

    @ Peter – The counterfeit bars are not that convincing and the only “seasoned” dealers they get past are the ones that are too busy to carefully check.

  30. So Krates says

    “Some of you may have missed yesterday’s deal because of the erroneous conspiracy claims floated”

    Anyone so easily convinced not to buy because of the mere suggestion of a correlation between the Apmex sale and future spot prices probably shouldn’t be buying anyway.

  31. cagcrisp says

    “Anyone so easily convinced not to buy because of the mere suggestion of a correlation between the Apmex sale and future spot prices probably shouldn’t be buying anyway.”

    Anyone suggesting there was a correlation between APMEX sale and future spot prices probably shouldn’t be posting anyway…

  32. So Krates says

    Why is it beyond the realm of possibility that the world’s largest PM retailer might occasionally do a little bit of what could be construed as frontrunning ? If Investment and Bullion Banks do it why not a huge PM dealer which is not even held to the same (if any) level of fiduciary duty.

  33. cagcrisp says

    Frontrunning by Definition, would be complete “conspiracy stretch” for someone like APMEX. ANYONE is capable of having a forward position and hedge that position, however, frontrunning by Definition would be out for selling coins. Selling coins on the bay with all the fees associated would be Illogical Financially for anyone trying to frontrun a position. An ETF or future positions are always possible for ANYONE. Frontrunning for anyone selling coins would be a waste of valuable information for ANYONE.

  34. Mint News Blog says

    Whitman cyber-Monday sale: 30% off entire order (does not include coins or Red Book Online). Free shipping site-wide for orders over $10. Use promo code GIVING. Included in the sale are all 2017 hardcopy Red Book products, including “Mega Red” (just don’t drop that one on your foot); also Dave Bowers’s new “Guide Book of the United States Mint,” which I haven’t read yet but looks great. I’ll be posting a press release on that one, with interior shots, on Coin Update if anyone’s curious. http://www.whitman.com

    More cyber-Monday items coming as I find them. I’ll be on the hunt for lesser-known deals, but I’ll include the big ones you’ll likely encounter yourselves, too.

    — Diana

  35. Mint News Blog says

    Krause Publications also has some very attractive deals on U.S. and other coin books — much cheaper than on Amazon: http://www.krausebooks.com/coins-papermoney?___SID=U.Their cyber-Monday special is 10% off the entire store (code: CYBER10), plus free shipping on orders of $49 or more.

    The U.S. Mint doesn’t appear to have any cyber-Monday specials (I didn’t really expect them to, but I did check). They do list the Mark Twain and National Park Service commemoratives, which go off sale after noon on December 29, on their “last chance” page, so if you’ve been meaning to pick those up, etc.

  36. earthling says

    So Krates

    Thank you so much for all your insights into Bars vs. Coins. I still kick myself for not getting a 100 oz Silver Bar around 2002 when they were going for about $480.00 😟 .

    I’m cruizen about now. Got rid of the substance abusing dependent I was carrying for 6 years – God help her – please. I’m doing max overtime and it’s hardly phasing me at all – given all the rest I can now get. The Bank Account is getting really bloated, never had it so good.

    I think I’ll watch the Dow go up, PM’s go down, Coins go sideways for a while longer. Cqsh in hand can’t hurt too much. At least not over a short period. I hope.

  37. So Krates says

    I agree that the choice of eBay as a distribution channel confuses the issue. I don’t know that the Biggest of Boys is not able to get a custom fee/commission deal. Perhaps they negotiated a flat monthly fee. I don’t know if these would be required to be disclosed publicly. I was thinking more of direct sales promoted on their own sites and through email blasts rather than Black Friday eBay sales.

    I have never bought or sold a coin with Apmex, and am not on their email list. I have never bought or sold a coin on eBay. If I buy or sell money, I prefer to look someone in the eye and shake their hand to seal the deal.

    Over the years, I have had several people (like Tom P. – MA ) that receive promo emails for Apmex flash sales tell me that the price, more often than not, drops within a day or two. I have no personal experience with this reported phenomenon but I have no reason to think it is impossible or even improbable.

    If you were the CEO or Person In Charge of Premium Prices at a big bullion dealer and had knowledge, from whatever source(s), that a large drop in price was probably imminent would you:

    1) Raise premiums?
    2) Lower premiums?
    3) none of the above

    Unless you think the PM markets are completely transparent and free from manipulation than this scenario in some form is completely possible. Even in a perfect market, in theory a dealer with a sufficient amount of order flow to accurately determine price direction could adjust premiums to increase profits and decrease losses.

  38. sharks2th says

    Did anyone else’s WLH arrive loose in the presentation box and not want to fit into the block which is supposed to hold it in place? It looks like the display holder circle diameter is about 1-1.5 mm too small for the coin capsule.

  39. earthling says

    Just how “special” are Cyber Monday Specials? I followed the APMEX link and found K-Rands for $1245.09 ( payment by check or wire). I looked on the Kitco site and they got them ( unhyped ) for $1219.59.

    Research people. Research !

  40. Erik H says

    Palladium is slowly catching up to platinum. Will platinum ever out perform the other metals again?

  41. Peter says

    So Krates

    “The counterfeit bars are not that convincing and the only “seasoned” dealers they get past are the ones that are too busy to carefully check.”

    Some require an x-ray because they are of the proper composition on the outside and of exact weight (hollowed out inside and filled with other metal)

    Yes, they can be detected of course, but why fool around with something that has a very good chance of being a knockoff.

  42. Dustyroads says

    Sharks, Just picked mine up, the 1/2 oz. was half wedged into the hole. I agree that the fit is tight, but mine did go all the way in.

    The WL gold 1/2 oz. is an amazing looking coin.

  43. maddogdday says

    Asking this question for my son. His WLH arrived the other day and interestingly has a small circular area about the size of a pencil eraser head that looks to be a polished, almost proof-like just to the left of Liberty’s upper left leg in the triangular blank space created between the flowing cape and where it meets the upper portion of her gown and below the chest level. Has anyone else seen this anomaly and would it be potentially have been caused by wiping the dye to remove a foreign object before the moment of high pressure strike? Any other explanations?

  44. So Krates says

    @ maddogdday – Please post a picture. A quick wipe of the die to remove a piece of foreign matter would not be sufficient to cause a shiny spot like you described.

  45. Numismatrix says

    WLH Spot : Could it be a strike through / lubricant spot ?
    The quality control on die production is quite rigorous;
    the coin inspection is more casual..

  46. maddogdday says

    @So Krates and @Numismatrix,

    Thank you for your comments. I’ll see what I can do about getting an high res photo posted to the board later today.

  47. earthling says

    Don’t need no fancy Bullyon . I’m looking at sealed Tubes of Canadian Maple Leafs. I had one years ago it was a beauty.

  48. .John Q. Coinage says

    Very nice but WTF is the mint doing w/the thousands of AU Winged Liberty 10c they have salted away? The Mint really just runs on auto pilot- less brains than even a typical government employee would display…..like giving away free bags to advertise you are a mint customer! Small print: “Follow me home &rob or burgel me!”

  49. sharks2th says

    Thanks Dusty. It is good to know I wasn’t the only one with what appears to be a qc issue on the holder.

  50. So Krates says

    @ John Q., – I expect the mint to be opaque, but you’d think in all these months someone in the paid numismatic press would be able to investigate and get some answers as to the fate of ten thousand golden dimes.

  51. KEITHSTER says

    Man are we still on the dime kick I thought we knew they were never coming back it’s the finn. thing!! Get over it what I have not heard is any one finding a nice finn. on the halve so we can have the three finn. set??? Got to be some out there and a pict. would be nice . So Good Luck All “>”>”>

  52. Dustyroads says

    KEITHSTER, The gold 1/2 oz. I received had no problems with finning, and was exquisite in every way.

    I hope everyone who sat this release out will be able to pull the trigger at some point.
    The WL gold 1/2 oz. is beautiful. I’m glad the Mint decided to go with it, regardless of the size and weight issues.

  53. earthling says

    I’m about to order a Moonlight Mint edition of the Walking Liberty Half. It’s the correct size and it’s done in Silver. Got to be better than a reduced scale Gold version.

  54. DBR says

    @ shark2th and Dustyroads

    I received my gold WLH today too….after a few delivery attempts. The box was barely sealed with tape, my coin was loose inside the box and the other packaging looked very hastily put together. That being said, the coin is fantastic …but small looking. Good strike. And I received a COA with it. My set is complete but I do wish I had two full sets of these commemorative dimes, quarters and halves. I did buy two SLQ’s, however.

    After getting over the initial first impression of the WLH as a small coin, it grew on me and it looks great.

    So I think this means that these gold commems are all smaller sized than their originals in silver in 1916. Aside from that and the metal variation, these commemoratives are an homage and tribute to the original designs.

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