A class action accuses The New England Mint of defrauding consumers by selling "normal bills at grossly inflated prices." The class claims the company is "tricking consumers into believing that the 'National Park Bills' they sell are unique bills with decorative print produced by the U.S. government and that they are rate. In reality, they are just normal bills that are commonly available, with a cheap sticker placed on one side."

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/01/12/33246.htm

	Silvertowne One Ounce .999 Fine Silver Bullion Bar Sale Price: $39.00
	Silvertowne 1 Ounce .999 Fine Silver Bullion Bar.

	1 GRAM SILVER BUFFALO BAR Sale Price: $0.01
	AN AMERICAN BUFFALO 1 GRAM .999 SILVER BULLION BAR!!! A VERY POPULAR AND ATTRACTIVE 1 GRAM BULLION BAR FROM THE CMC MINT!

	2011 American Silver Eagle Coin in "Air-Tite" Capsule Sale Price: $39.85
	This beautiful American Eagle comes protected in a direct fit, "Air-Tite" capsule. It is a legal tender silver dollar coin authorized by the United States government. Makes an excellent (and affordable) gift! The obverse design features Adolph A...

	1 Troy Ounce .999 Fine Silver Bar - Pan American - Uncirculated Bullion Sale Price: $45.95
	Pan American 1 Troy ounce Silver Bars are minted from .999 fine silver. They feature the well known silver hammer logo of Pan American Silver on the obverse.

	Sunshine Mint 1 oz (.999) Fine Silver Bar - Eagle Design Sale Price: $41.00
	.999 fine silver. All are Hallmark stamped with their exact purity of contained silver from their issuer. Bars and rounds of any size are an excellent way to invest in pure silver while avoiding the premiums usually found on legal tender bullion coins...

	1 Ounce Knights Templar Cross Masonic Freemason Silver Coin + Case (LISTING ORIGINATION: ONLINE*COLLECTABLE*TREASURES) List Price: $40.00 Sale Price: $0.01
	(LISTING ORIGINATION: ONLINE*COLLECTABLE*TREASURES)

	2011 American Silver Eagle Dollar Coin .999 Silver Bullion Uncirculated New in Airtight Holder Sale Price: $39.70

	1 Gram .999 Fine Silver Buffalo Round Bullion Coin Sale Price: $0.01
	These small rounds are great for collecting, investment, and even make a unique gift idea.

	5 Grain .999 Fine Silver Bullion Bar List Price: $4.99 Sale Price: $0.01
	Small size, newly minted .999 Fine Silver Bullion Bars. These bars are 5 grains in weight (approximately 1/3 gram) and are stamped 5 grains on the face and .999 Fine Silver on the reverse.

	2010 Silver American Eagle - West Point Mint - Investment Grade Silver Bullion Sale Price: $49.99
	These gorgeous coins are minted at West Point, New York and contain one ounce of 0.999 pure silver. These are legal tender silver dollar coins authorized by the United States government. Makes an excellent (and affordable) gift! This is a preorder sale...

I'm not interested in melting the silver myself which is why I would like a mint (like SilverTowne for example- who makes Silvertowne Bars) to do it AND THEN convert it into Silver Bars. I called them today but they are closed to see if I can get any answers. In the meantime, I thought I would ask our follow smart people on Yahoo Answers

And by the way, I'm not interested in melting it into silver coins as I don't want to get into trouble with the government thinking I'm making a currency out of it. Silver Bullion Bars are not "official" US Currency (unless its the Silver Eagle Currency).

coin collecting noob here...apologies ahead of time for the lengthy question....

im planning on buying one each 2010 proof silver eagles, gold eagles, and gold buffalos. (yes, 2010, not 2011). mostly to commemorate something very important. and im planning on having them for 5...10...20 years or more. who knows. not doing it for an investment per-se...but if down the line i do decide to sell them, i wouldnt mind getting some extra cash for them.

now i dont know if i should buy the coins that were issued straight from the mint (in the fancy velvet boxes) or should i be looking for MS70 graded coins?

ive read opinions that modern day proof and bullion coins that are rated (ie; slabbed) by the rating companies are a scam because...
a.) theres so many of them that are being produced which doestn make them scarce at all
b.) a modern day coin proof/bullion is never circulated anyway, so of course theyre all going to be rated 70 (or 69 at worse).

so if should i be shopping for proof coins, or MS 70 graded coins?

also, if slabbed coins are better, which of the grading companies are better...ngc, pcgs...etc. i know that 'first strike' is the most desirable of these 'graded' coins. i also know that the gold buffalo 'black diamond' that is sold by apmex is a complete and utter scam.

thanks very much for any info.