George Michael coins

Yes, I know that there are lots of different ones available, and that in general scarcity will increase the value of things, but only if people want to buy them.

They remind me of those gilt-edged plates that used to be on the back of Sunday supplements. The ones with soppy verses and pictures of animals or country scenes. They were always marketed as being investments, as they would take them off the market when (or if) X number were sold, but they were pretty much worthless.

If they make people happy, they do no harm - don't get me wrong, I'm not saying they are bad. I just think that over £5k for a £5 coin is likely to be parting people from their money unnecessarily.

Anything collectible becomes more valuable as scarcity increases, I am assuming there is a limited number being produced.

It isn't a new thing. Royal Mint have already issued coins in their Music Legends collection for Shirley Bassey, David Bowie, Elton John, The Police, The Rolling Stones, Queen and The Who. People collect pop memorabilia. It just exploits that market.

This is all part of the Royal Mint’s drive to make money in other ways as the use of everyday coin diminishes:

www.royalmint.com/aboutus/press-centre/gold-shines-for-the-royal-mint-as-it-announces-record-18-million-pre-tax-profit/

The Royal Mint has announced a pre-tax profit of £18 million for the year ending 31st March 2022 – the largest profit since vesting as a Limited company in 2010.

The milestone result marks the end of a three year business transformation strategy led by Chief Executive Anne Jessopp. It has seen the UK’s oldest manufacturer successfully evolve into a consumer brand, expanding into precious metals investment products, the sale of historic coins, jewellery and luxury collectibles.

2023 numbers:

www.royalmint.com/aboutus/press-centre/the-royal-mint-announce-17.7million-operating-profit-as-it-forges-new-future-in-sustainable-precious-metals/

I don't have an issue with them - each to their own. I just don't get the point. Maybe if people have whole collections they could display them to good effect, I guess.

People collect them, some people make money from them. They make life more interesting for some people. I don't have ann issue except to say maybe we are making the most of the coinage while it lasts?