Today the header picture is the high point of this post. It shows the moment when Jeanne held in excess of $60,000.00 of solid, .9999 pure gold in her hands. And, she even let me take it away from her (I did have to pry her fingers ever so slightly) and give it back to the bullion trader who was hovering nearby.
It doesn't look as large in the photo as it seemed when we held it, and you can't really see the thickness, but that is one kilogram (2.2 lbs.) of gold.
I didn't know that we would handling that much gold when I got out of bed this morning. I intended to celebrate my birthday with a trip into the city and the purchase of some silver coins.
Silver has come down in price somewhat lately and the U.S. dollar is quite strong against the Kiwi dollar. Those factors mean that is a very good time to buy some precious metal souvenirs of NZ.
The New Zealand Mint is located just off Queen Street in Auckland, about a 20 minute walk from Britomart.
Jeanne and I jumped the train at Sturges Road just before 9 am and 50 minutes later, hit the big city.
About 10 minutes from Britomart, we decided it was time for a nice breakfast. Those little brown bundles are called 'hash.' They're very much like homemade hash browns but were deep fried. In the background you can see a guy walking past on Queen Street.
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| We started with English Breakfast Tea. They served it with a tiny cinnamon wafer. I'm not really a fan of milk in my tea but tried it that way this morning just because. Breakfast is bacon, eggs and 'hash.' |
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| Aotea Square |
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| Well, the square wasn't completely empty. There was this small group of exercisers. |
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| This is the front entrance to the New Zealand Mint. I love it. |
We went up to the first floor, talked to the receptionist and were soon met by a 'bullion trader.' Mr. Sampson Heng showed us the coins I have pictured below and then, when I asked to see a Kiwi gold coin, not only brought the 1 oz. coin I asked for, but brought a kilogram bar of gold too. Just for fun he said. And it was fun. A proper birthday treat. -djf
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| A far cry from that fortune in gold we got to hold. These two go for about $20.00 U.S. dollars each. |
What a lovely way to spend your birthday! It sure looks like you had a great time! I love that cover picture of Jeanne - thought at first it was a gold-wrapped chocolate bar she was holding. By the way, did you get your chocolate? the 28th was after all National Chocolate Day!
ReplyDeleteThat sculpture in Aotea Square is very unique.. not sure what to make of it. Were the exercisers doing Tai Chi? Did you notice how almost all of them were wearing the same hat?
Last question are those silver coins every-day currency or only available from the mint?
I am so happy that you had a great time on your birthday. You are right about that entrance to the NZ Mint. That was just fabulous. I have never held anything close to that value. Jeanne did a nice job in the picture. Your breakfast looked great also. I loved the English breakfast. When I was in London, they served every breakfast with a broiled half of a tomato. I thought that was cool also. I am glad that you found some silver coins. McKenzie
ReplyDeleteOK. Going to try to comment one more time.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a FUN birthday, Doug. The Mint entrance looks really interesting--not quite so eerie as the Gringott's Bank in Harry Potter, but vault-like enough.
And the breakfast looked yummy!
Glad you had a good time. Thanks for sharing!
I am probably one of very few people who don't know anything about Gringott's Bank but no, the NZ Mint entrance was not eerie at all. It was welcoming in fact.
DeleteI am probably one of very few people who don't know anything about Gringott's Bank but no, the NZ Mint entrance was not eerie at all. It was welcoming in fact.
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