The additional cost the Royal Mint place on their coins hasn’t gone unnoticed, with their 2019 sovereign being marketed at almost double the retail value of bullion sovereigns, justified by the coins “limited availability”, walnut veneer case and certificate of authenticity, all of which do nothing to increase the actual value of the coin’s gold content. What is important to remember is that whilst The Royal Mint is seen as an authoritative figure in the numismatic world, they are still operating as a business. In August 2019 The Times of London reported that the Mint had seen a 40% increase on the previous year in customers wanting to invest in precious metals, and with the price of gold enjoying a 6-year high, it would be all too easy to dupe this new wave of investors into buying overpriced novelty coins. It's understandable to see why the Mint would choose to pursue this ethically risqué line of marketing. We see these practices often from a small number of bullion dealers, but what does surprise us is seeing these methods employed from an industry leader, and authoritative voice in the numismatic industry like the Royal Mint.

We are not trying to condemn the manufacturing of coins that have an artistic flare, showcase a new design or a release that commemorates an event of historical significance but when these are created with the intent of cashing in on those new to investing whilst justifying the sale using the same reasoning as legitimate investment pieces, it cannot go unchallenged. But, to an actual gold dealer who will look at the value of the gold contents of the coin (the only thing that actually maintains any worth in the coin beyond a subjective assignment of wealth) these “must have items” pushed by the Mint will be seen as no more special than the denomination the designs are stamped on, seeing the extra money spent on these “one off” or “commemorative” designs by the consumer be completely lost. These collectable coins will only be worth more to those who believe they are, that appreciate the craftsmanship and aesthetics behind each piece.

Mint reviews 2018