I would be cautious in using Aocs mint (mulligan mint)
http://blogs.wsj.com/bankruptcy/2013/09/20/texas-coin-maker-for-fed-estranged-files-for-bankruptcy/As I say they made the Bitcoin round and a globe and gear round from my design which they resold the royalties would then have been a discount on any that I purchased. They probably expected that I would have been ordering large quantities as that wasn't the case they aren't interested in paying any royalties now - looks like there still using the artwork though on a silver round, anyway it was only a gentleman's agreement nothing in writing.
Rob Gray, who "founded" AOCS is an interesting character. I do not know him personally, only by reputation. And have spoken with many who have had much more personal involvement.
He arrived on the Liberty Dollar scene and wanted to be the head of it, despite not having done anything. Full of gusto he wanted to be given everything and made the head of national organization. This candidacy was not supported by the incumbent RCO's (regional currency officers) to put it mildly.
As part of this attempt, he gained knowledge of the mechanics of the Liberty Dollar, how it is priced, the manufacturing basics, some knowledge of minting, and a lot of contacts. At the failure of his bid to take over, he went off on his own and founded AOCS, the American Open Currency Standard which was based on the Liberty Dollar model... By "based" I mean that it was an exact copy.
This was all well and good, the founder of the Liberty Dollar, Bernard von Nothaus had always been very free with his knowledge and expertise. He is a great teacher and has more knowledge, creativity and expertise than any 10 others in the industry. Where Rob Gray failed in basic ethics was in then claiming that he, Rob Gray devised this model and not its true architect, Bernard von Nothaus. This lie alone should have been enough of a warning, but it did not end there.
Further to add insult to injury, Rob Gray then "decertified" the Liberty Dollar as non-AOCS compliant! It would be laughable and entirely ignorable were it not for the concurrent unjustified legal prosecution of the Liberty Dollar. When seen in that light was worse than adding an insult to an injury, it was a betrayal. A backstab maneuver against one of the heroes of the evolving history of alternative currency, Bernard von Nothaus, to whom he owed everything that he had built. This personal betrayal which came so easily to Rob Gray has been a pattern of his behavior over the years.
It is for these reasons that we have elected to not do
any business with Rob Gray or Mulligan Mint, due to his lack of ethics, and his history of personal treachery, greed and narcissism. Our condolences go out to Republic and any other who placed trust in this man. I owe you an apology for not bringing this story more to the fore. I never enjoy speaking ill of others, but in this case there is an obligation to police our own industry and keep those of ill-repute and untrustworthyness outside the circles of honest business so that people do not take risks for which they are not aware.
For those of you who have suffered due to your dealings with him, again, we apologize for not giving stronger voice to these suspicions.
