I think it was December 2019 for the price increases by the Mint – although I’m foggy on the date too? You know you may be right about the higher price for the Apollo 5oz, I think the higher price was to donate part of proceeds to the foundation / non-profit aligned with the commemorative coin minting?

The foreign mints may be cheaper but then they add their VAT taxes and foreign shipping. Only recently that we in the US get some value now when purchasing from the overseas mints because dollar is strengthening. It’s a plus the Royal Mint gives a little discount to US buyers for some of their products because of the currency rates favoring the Pound. The French mint has a minimum 30 Euro shipping fee!

Weren’t the 5oz silver proofs $175 before Mint raised prices Major D?

Yes Rich, some of the ATBs are 5oz as well as some of the commemoratives – the Apollo Landing commemorative had a 5oz proof silver coin.

Chris and Major D, you bring up another interesting point about our US Mint precious metal bullion and proof coins versus other world mints, and that is the variety of sizes/weights and denominations. Our silver, platinum and palladium proof and bullion/BU coins are only available in 1 ounce weight* (and one denomination), and our gold proof/BU coins are only minted in 4 weights/denominations (1 ounce, 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce and 1/10 ounce). Other Mints around the world like The Royal Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, Perth Mint (and Royal Australian Mint), Mexico Mint, and China Mint offer a vastly wider range of sizes/weights/denominations for their silver and gold coins, i.e., 1 kilo (32 oz), 10 oz, 5 oz, 2 oz, 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/20 oz, and even 1/40 oz.

Note*: with the exception of the limited series ATB 5 ounce silver coins, and the 1997-2008 Platinum American Eagle Proof and BU coins which came in 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz denominations.

Ah good Major D. Yes, their 2oz, 5oz and 10oz have some good pricings for bullion.

Good going Major D. Is this the bullion or proof?

Kaiser, I get emails all the time from the UKs Royal Mint about purchasing and investing in precious metals (i.e., buying bullion). Since the US Dollar is gaining against the Pound Sterling maybe I’ll jump in and pick up some QEII bullion coins then later pick up some King Charles III bullion coins.

Thank you Rich. And yes, sorry Joe Dirt! Best mullet in America!

Chris, that is the most profound and far-reaching suggestion and comment to grace the pages of CoinNews. Thank you for your bold statement.
And lets not leave out Joe Dirt.