Back order to 22 July 08
Four credit cards, four family members, four online accounts with the U.S. Mint, same P.O. Box, $500 each, ordered 22-29 June 08. Two of us just received e-mails yesterday stating that our shipments were placed on back order to 22 July 08, a delay of fifteen days. No charge to our credit cards yet.
Perhaps this is giving the U.S. Mint time to reconcile their accounts.
My wife is looking forward to giving out solely $1 coins, rather than bills, as change for the Saturday farmer's market and Thursday street market in August. Good customer bonding!