Good Sir Rich,

When it comes to the doings of the Mint is anything ever really “safe”?

Now there’s a man who thinks like a tried and true “never look a gift horse in the mouth” aficionado!

I think it would be beyond awesome if it were somehow realistically practical for the the Mint to include a ASE-D Proof in the LESPS!

How about a Two Coin Set of Enhanced Reverse Proof Morgan and Peace San Francisco Silver Dollars in a very fancy clamshell case?

Or perhaps even, “There was a third one?”

This, Chris, is one of those situations where “Buyer Beware” is more important than ever. Unfortunately, many buyers aren’t aware of much of anything when it comes to buying coins so they are sickeningly easy to take for a ride and for their money.

Yes Kaiser, there are sellers who pull the wool over many buyers peddling bullion as something else. Or if the seller is coy, just states American Silver Eagle without specifying bullion, burnished or proof leaving it up to the buyer to believe they’re getting what they want – proof at a cheaper price. 🙁

What really burns me about bullion “coins” being sold at such extraordinarily large premiums on the secondary market is how often these investment ducats are presented as being the “real thing”, that what is up for sale are genuine numismatic grade burnished American Silver Eagles. I’ve even seen these bullion pieces being sold online in original US Mint Uncirculated ASE cases to further confuse the issue and to better disguise the actual source and nature of these grossly misrepresented “coins'”. Doubtless, grifting at its finest, or worst, if you will.

I’m not in any way stating either that my opinion should in any way be taken as somehow universally applicable or that the Mint has any ideas or notions in place to possibly renege on next year’s extensive Morgan and Peace Silver Dollar lineup.

As I’ve said before, I sincerely believe that there are likely as many distinct opinions about everything there is to have an opinion about as there are people on earth, and I would hazard a guess this applies to all of us coin collectors in America as well.

Anticipation, anticipation, is making me wait.