Anything is fair game these days

[gweidion]

The technology is good and there are some impressive (and impressively overpriced) new "coins" being manufactured and marketed, but it seems like anything is fair game in trying to fleece we collectors.

There are some, for example, that I simply can't support.

https://www.downies.com/sb-2022-10-titanic-shaped-5oz-silpflk

https://www.downies.com/nu-2022-5-titanic-3d-clr-2oz-silpf

Apart from the being ridiculously overpriced...

These kinds of things leave me hoping the dodgy countries lose a fortune on this unfeeling rubbish.

Other cleverly crazy ones

https://www.downies.com/ni-2022-mayan-pyramid-5oz-sil-ant

https://www.downies.com/3d-shaped-brain-2023-5-silver-matte-finish-proof-like-coin

https://www.downies.com/td-2022-500f-soccer-ball-30g-silant

Even if I had millions I doubt I would be buying these. You'd need a special display case.
Then again I was guilty of buying the DeLorean one that came out.

[Sapyx]

These kinds of things leave me hoping the dodgy countries lose a fortune on this unfeeling rubbish.

Don't blame the countries named on these coins, directly. In most cases, the government and people in those countries aren't even aware of the existence of these "coins" struck in their name.

Direct your ire towards the mass-marketing mints that make the things. The countries are simply issuing blanket permission to these mints to make coins in their name. Only a tiny percentage of the profit, and none of the risk, are being directed towards the actual government that is theoretically issuing the coins. SO if the coins flop and don't sell, the countries themselves won't have to pay a cent, sic they're not really responsible for issuing the coins in the first place.

Macquarie Mint, the mass-marketing branch of Downies, is one of the worst offenders, getting coins made in China (they aren't an actual "mint" in terms of owning coin-making machinery), sometimes completely without the knowledge or consent of the country named on the "coin".

Then again I was guilty of buying the DeLorean one that came out.

And here of course is where the ultimate "blame" for the existence of these gimmicky coins lies: with the mugs who keep buying the things. We don't all buy all of them, but most of us buy some of them, and that's enough to keep them in business.

[Mister T]

Yes lucky the issuing countries bear no risk.

But someone must be buying them.

[gweidion]

It's nice to hear the countries themselves aren't to blame. So I'm hoping the dodgy companies get burned instead. Mugs like me try not to keep buying their rubbish. I can hardly believe anyone buys them at the ridiculous prices.