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I wouldn't disagree in principle with anything people have posted on here about buying the best you can afford, and trying to get a minimum of EF grade. It's a perfectly sensible and practical way to go. However, there are a couple of caveats. Firstly, that's only really a workable policy for readily available coins and dates, unless that is, you have infinitely deep pockets, something most of us don't have. To give an example, if you are a collector of all coins Edward VII, you may well be able to obtain most coins in EF or better for reasonable money. However, if you are a completist, you will want a 1905 halfcrown (and florin and shilling) and you are not going to get these for reasonable money in EF. A halfcrown in Fine alone will likely set you back £500, whilst in UNC you could have to pay around £10k for the best. In this situation you have a choice. Either ignore the hole in your collection or accept that you have to lower your grading goals, at least for this one date and type. Most of us who are completists have this dilemma from time to time and we usually compromise our grading ideals. Only today, there's an example on another thread where davidrj has managed to complete a date run, but the final coin is in pretty low grade, but I bet he's happy to see the gap filled. http://www.predecimal.com/forum/topic/9947-still-a-completionist-at-heart/ The other point is that those who say that buying lower grade means an upgrade later with more cost are quite right for common coins. However, for less common ones, filling a gap and waiting for an upgrade may be the only way to have the satisfaction of achieving a collecting goal, but it may not cost you money either. For instance, I have a complete date run of halfpennies back to 1672. Of these just about the most difficult to find is the 1689. I bought a River Thames find in near fine condition for £400, some years ago and filled the gap. Eventually, I bought Nicholson's example which is in GF maybe NVF, as an upgrade. I have no expectation that I can find an EF example, and even if I could, that I could afford it, so I have to remain satisfied with the one I have. However, the Thames find subsequently sold for £450, so there was even an up side to the upgrade. I guess the point I'm making is that when it comes to rarities, the idea that upgrades will cost more than buying the best you can doesn't always apply. A final thought and that is that although you can see the ideals for collecting on here, don't run away with the idea that every coin collector only collects in absolutely top grade. It may seem so based on people's comments, but in reality most collectors compromise on some coins some of the time. If they didn't, you wouldn't see the volume of sales on ebay that you do, and dealers wouldn't even bother offering lower grade material, but they do, all the time. It doesn't make you a less serious collector, just because you don't always collect high grade. And finally, finally, for what it's worth, your half farthing seems a perfectly reasonable buy for £4 to me. No, it's not top grade, but it's not the worst either. Based on your pictures, wear is very even all round and the colour looks nice, and I reckon you'd easily get your money back on ebay if you wished.

Can I ask your opinion on this coin :- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Victoria-Florin-1849-Uncirculated-6377-/161943088766 What do you all think, grade wise? Thanks in advance.

You wont have any dosh left for the LCA then, Pete............. Lovely coin, just as good in the hand, or at least slab. I was very tempted by the 1919kn at the Midland, had it out of the case three times, but eventually felt the spot on the reverse was just too offputting, and in a way it was 'too' clean and shiny compared to the other lustrous coins around it; not entirely logical I accept , but I decided to keep my powder dry; a phrase the meaning of which has rather migrated for the younger generation. Sniff. Sniff. Jerry

Not an investment ,but happy to tick off the list.

I'd go for GEF/UNC - disappointing carbon spot in the O of FLORIN. Nice coin generally, though

Well some lunatic bought the 1926

There's too much obsession with catalogue prices. Some are too high, other too low. Even as a hobby, it is not unreasonable to pay over the catalogue price for something you want because the prices seen vary so wildly that only one will ever be on the button and even that is not guaranteed. Ultimately it boils down to whether you are willing to pay what is asked. Whether you collect as a hobby or as an obsession, you always make the same decision based on how much you want something and whether it is affordable. Those who have done their homework will have a feel for prices, the remainder wander blindly, many convinced they are being ripped off at anything above the lowest prices in the reference catalogues. The stingiest working on the principle of fair (for which read lowest catalogue) price or more never knowingly (or willingly) paid.

Could be dipped then would not get any polish marks.

I quite like that second shot over the first one!

Not my thing Paul ....But you have got the pictures right

Cant see a problem although i maybe i am reading this wrong. Neil has done nothing but help and advise me over the last few years,but dont see anything wrong in the amount he is asking. He has wages , office , catalogues ,petrol plus tables at fairs and acomadation. ,viewing collections,auction lots all over the country etc. He may sell it for a bit less but his stock levels are vast and doesnt do it just for fun I maybe off the mark ............Although i know you dont come on the forum now Neil ...... but if you read this be lucky. Pete.

Getting there, Matt, getting there. I must admit, I'm quite pleased with all of them but particularly the '30 - that was quite the bargain, I reckon. Yeah, kinda got the vibe 'bout the pennies Just to give a better idea of overall condition, I just took these using Nons 'vertical flash' method on the '24

Chris (CHP) has created a Facebook Group called "Pay your court debt/fines in £20, £50 and £100 coins NOW"

Thanks Frank, The coins do look far nicer in hand, I just bought another daylight lamp so need a few hours one night to play around with my pictures. The ones above were just taken with the flash on and aimed above the coin.

I've also seen ghosting on Victoria bronze which also had nothing to do with WW1

This is amazing ! What a conservation ! Congrats Paulus

Cheers chaps ... Another Half Crown