Major Score!

Hi Friends,

I got a gooder yesterday!

Me and my buddy @uglyboy hooked up and went to one of our lcs’ to see what we could espy. I picked up a few items (might have to save these for #piratesunday) and then we decided to go and check out Van Gold. Sadly, they no longer sell 1oz bars — citing profit margins — but they do have Maples, ASEs and 5 and 10 oz bars — or whatever gets sold to them (they are primarily a cash 4 gold operation).

Now personally, i call bullshit. Somebody must have clued in when wide-eyed stackers kept coming in asking for Johnson Matthey and Engelhards. ‘Cause up until about 6 months ago they would sell whatever they had in stock for a set price: Sunshine Mint bars were the same price as Engelhards or JM bars for example. However, they apparently still have no concern for who made the larger bars they sell ‘cause they will still sell whatever they have on hand for a straight reg price.

So yesterday when we went in the familiar gal behind the desk (who knows us) said initially that they had very little in stock: some Maples, some Eagles, a five bar and a 10oz coin... well the fiver turned out to be a First Majestic bar, which i would’ve bought, had i not been surprised by what else she brought out. That’s right pervos, the 10 oz coin i speak of is none other than the 2012 Perth Mint Year of the Dragon!

Boom-shocka-locka!!! Now perhaps for the price i would have bought any Perth Mint Lunar Series, but this was the Dragon! In my estimation, and indeed looking at prices for the 1oz, 5oz or 10oz bar, this design has major primos — so i bought it! I will note too, that i took it out of the capsule and had a look and this coin is pristine.

Check out the secondary market for it on ebay:

Now that’s a spicy a meatball! So what did i pay for it? (Cue: Trumpet Flourish!)

$232 and i walked out of the shop!!! So thats like $175 usd or Ł135 (pounds) or 155 Euros... What i smoking deal!!!

I still haven’t decided if i am going to “flip it” or not, but given that i have a 10oz Leon of England already, and that 2012 is Carlito’s birth year — and further, that this coin would be a respectable and worthy bit of booty for the new chest that @silverd510 sent me (ostensibly for one of my sons) i will probably hold on to it if i can...

I am pretty chuffed! Before holding this coin i had never really been interested in the big coins — something about the fact that they would never actually be carried as money — but after seeing this gorgeous beast i have begun to change my mind. At any rate, it is a big ol’ hunk of fine silver for a good price that will command a serious primo over spot when and if i decide to sell it, or, for that matter, Charlie decides he wants the dollars sometime in the distant future...

Now there’s also a general lesson to be learned from all of this, and that is: One should always hold a little dry powder in reserve so that deals like this can be made. I am always tempted to blow out all my fiat dollars on silver, gold and crypto as i believe in these mediums of value more, but the reality is still that it is the dollaz that make the world go round, and it is these dollaz that most people will want in exchange for their goods. So especially if you are afflicted with the stackitus and frequently find yourself looking over trays of loot at coin shops, pawnshops, or wherever, make sure you have some dry powder to pick up the bargains! ‘Cause ya never know when a sweet-treat is going to become mandatory...

Or you’ll need to pick up a Dragon for your Dragon!

Cheers! from @thedamus
🐉🐉🐉🐉🐲🐉🐉🐉🐉