Hey Welshie, I think @mattclarke makes a lot of good points and you know how it goes around here when you just ask people to respond to a question...

Can I make a suggestion? And this is without knowing how it works behind the scenes or what the minimum amount of rounds you would need to mint and sell to cover costs is but you guys know that answer I would imagine.

Why don't we do it like Golden State Mint does their "minimintage" rounds and take pre-orders before minting one round?

Let me outline the way I see it going:

• Finish the contest and choose the winning design
• Touch-up the winning round and get a final design
• Put it up FOR SALE, pre-order only, on http://steemsilverround.com/ with the caveat that they will not be minted (and money will be returned) if we don't sell a total of ??? rounds
• Once the magic number is pre-sold; make the die, mint the rounds, send 'em out and stack 'em up

The only drawback I can see here is that it will take more time from purchase to receipt of said round but I think most people would understand that you guys are dealing with tiny margins and to be sure you don't lose money pre-order is necessary.

This is from the Golden State Mint Minimintage page

I have waited months for a minimintage item in the past and I really didn't mind.

So I say continue on with the choosing of the round and I think that will build the excitement. Also if you could share the minimum number you need to sell I think that would help.

Thanks @welshstacker!!!!