In the world of precious metals, you will find groups of bars, rounds and poured art referred to as a series. A series is usually made within one a single year and serialized. The serial numbers will return to one at the start of the next year as the cycle begins once more.
To find two pieces of the same series, the same year and same serial number is extremely rare. Only under extraordinary circumstances are two pieces marked with the same serial number in the same year and this is exactly what happend to me. I call these bars the "Twins."
The "Twins" come from Merry Old England from a pourer known as Backyard Bullion. The series is titled "The Mirror Bar"and comes in several shapes and sizes. Each shape and size are serial numbered as a subseries, so mirrored rounds would have their own serial numbers and bars like mine would be sequential to the number of that shape poured.
I loved the mirror bars the second I saw them listed on BYB's site. I asked about them and BYB made me a special offer, so I purchased one.
Having just acquired two of his pieces before, I had a good idea when Mirror Bar #11 wold arrive. However, weeks passed and no package had arrived. Since the bar was being shipped from the UK I was not alarmed by this and gave it another week. After that time, there was sill no package in the mail. I became concerned and contacted my post office, but they could not help me without a tracking number. I called BYB and asked if he could track the package from his end because the was the sender. But, he could not. He asked me to give it more time and reminded me that Texas was being bombarded by hurricane Harvey at the time and may be delaying international shipments.
This seemed reasonable and we agreed on a time frame. That time came and went and there was still no bar. BYB offered a refund, or a replacement. I wanted the bar! It was a beautiful piece! So he asked me to wait two more weeks while he poured and prepared the replacement. If the original arrived, he would advance the serial number for sale to the next customer. I agreed.
Those two weeks came and went. At that time, both BYB and I agreed that the original bar had been lost to Harvey. He contacted me and said he had posted the replacement.
The replacement was on its way and I only prayed that this new bar would reach me and not get lost like the first! I had an appointment, went to the mailbox before getting into the car and just guess what was there? Yes, the original bar had arrived on the DAY BYB posted the replacement. I instantly contacted BYB and told him the bar was here, but it was to late. The replacement was on its way.
BYB had been really nice though this event and had gone above and beyond what was required from a seller. After all, he had done nothing wrong and completed his part of the transaction. He was not responsible for the mail system, Royal mail, or US. I offered to purchase the replacement as well. He thought it fitting for me to own both bars and made me a deal, so neither of us took a loss in our dealings.
The Twins were born! Two bars of the some series, in the same year and with the same serial number! A unique pair indeed and both beautiful pieces!
I will never trade or sell these two bars because of the story and meaning behind them. They are two of a kind!
They represent one of the few positive stories to come from the devastating hurricane that impacted the Texas coast and causing so much damage to the Houston area.
This post was not meant to take anything away from the pain and strife that befell the people in the Huston area and I pray for all involved. The "Twins" Are but one of the many stories to come from that horrible storm and are a part of its history.
My best wishes and heart felt thoughts go to the Huston area and surrounding areas. We are Texans! We are strong! We will recover!
