Frequently Asked Questions

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY SET?
Orders will be shipped within two weeks of the date your order was placed.

WHAT KIND OF COINS ARE THEY, AND DO THEY HAVE SPENDABLE VALUE?
The coins are Iraqi Fils and they were decommissioned and removed from circulation by Saddam in the early 1990’s at the end of the first gulf war.

ARE THE COINS UNCIRCULATED?
Yes. All the coins that are being used in the shadowbox sets are Brilliant Uncirculated and had never been removed from their original mint bags. However, many of the coins were damaged in transit and can’t be used in the sets.

WHAT ARE THE COINS MADE OF?
Copper-Nickel and Stainless Steel.

IS IT LEGAL TO SELL THESE COINS?
Yes. Instead of being destroyed, the US & British authorities agreed to sell these decommissioned coins to raise money for a Basra orphanage and to rebuild the Basra War Cemetery. A letter of approval was drafted August 9, 2003 by FE Castle, commanding officer of the 19 Mechanized Brigade at the British Brigade Field Administration Office Headquarters. An article commending the soldiers involved was written in February, 2004 and posted in the British Army magazine, The Wire.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE COINS FROM THE OTHER BANKS IN IRAQ?
Based on an article on the Iraqi Stock Exchange in October of 2004, the remaining "Fils" coins in the banks throughout Iraq were to be gathered and melted down.

WHAT PERCENTAGE IS BEING DONATED TO THE FAMILIES?
At least 20% of gross revenue. This money is paid first, even before any expenses. Many companies donate a percentage of profits, but Products for Good is donating at least 20% of every dollar the company receives from the sale of these shadowbox sets.

HOW IS THE MONEY DISTRIBUTED TO THE FUNDS THAT HELP THE FAMILIES OF FALLEN US SOLDIERS?
All funds are being managed and distributed by an independent accounting firm, Goldberg & Davis, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The firm takes in all moneys and immediately pays the fund to support the families and then takes care of the company’s expenses.

HOW CAN FAMILIES FILE A GRANT WITH THE FUNDS WE SUPPORT?
Visit the fund’s website at www.oeffamilyfund.org for more information on filing a grant.