Chris Perkins

It's a tough one, the pictures are small. It could well be UNC but with flat areas from a weak strike.

Usually, but not always. 1887 coins are difficult, as are 1821 crowns and even Geo III shillings when they are properly struck. I have a YH Victoria shilling that is so stunningly prooflike, but shouldn't exist as a proof. Still, the wreath on ebay certainly isn't a proof.

I know the seller of that '33 Rob. It's difficult to tell the difference between wreath proofs and really blindin' non proofs. But you're right, that seller (his name is Martin) really should know that the '33 he has there is not a proof. I noticed he also implied another wreath was a proof recently, and I won it in fact. Perhaps the price went higher than it should, had he not mentioned proof in the listing. Perhaps he also copied the listing text of the previous coin (which really was rather more prooflike). I think he's just simply very enthusiastic, and he's pointed out pictures in the past that he has remarked were possibly proofs. I think he just gets a bit carried away with 'proofs'! Although, of the many wreaths my other friend has, a few of them look stunning. To make absolulely sure he has shown them to 3 reputable big money dealers (and little old me) to get an opinions first, rather than trying to sell them as proofs, or sell them as normal implying that they may be proofs....Surely, anyone who knew about about coins and wasn't sure about the proof status of a coin would check it out first?

Yes, it's clearly a proof. Very distinguishable from a normal one.

Lots of coins from that time were stamps with adverts and names. I'm not sure what relevance 'LONDON' has though, but it has almost certainly be stamped by a 3rd party after the coin was made (in Birmingham).

Not much chance of that happening now, for obvious reasons. I also spoke to Gouby (saw him Saturday actually) and he's always meaning to update his penny book. Trouble is, it's so much work you really need to have a spare few years to dedicate to that kind of thing.

Yes, absolutely. It would be great to have an 'exclusive' and to show the picture of the quarter showing the R/B. Getting official recognition will probably take until some brave soul takes on an update of Freeman (or creates an all new book covering halfpennies).

This one looks real, and it's the same as mine, if slightly more worn: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1 I'll be watching that with interest.

I just need to get this cleared up.... Yours is a Matte/VIP proof worth £400, not a normal proof worth £40? It looks like a normal proof to me.

I've bought from that seller before, and I wasn't over the moon. All I'll say is, that she seems to have an endless supply of Spink cards, and I wouldn't take the chance personally.

It came from my mate of Vale Coins, Blackheath (whom I share a table with)! It was begging me to buy it all day. I always end up buying lots, simply because I'm weighted with cash from selling. I also bought a bag of 145 Roman Bronzes (at least 50% attributable, and some rather respectable). The gold Solidus has a little card label with it from a previous owner that my Vale friend Richard informs me is David Sear's writing, which, if that's so, is a good pedigree. I paid £220 (it was up for £260).

Here it is. Not a great picture. Good definition, really wonderful lustrous fields on the obverse. It weighs 4.48g and is 20mm at the widest point. (a little larger and heavier than a half sov)

I was busy! Ok, I'll do a picture.

That's very clear isn't it! Reminds me of the BBIT George IV Shilling! I see no reason why I shouldn't list it in CCGB2007, even if there is no price data.

Thanks. Yes, I was *%$$ed off about the covers when they arrived from the printers. It is thicker than the last edition, but apparently it was the first time they used thie particular laminating company, and it's the thicker lamination that causes the cover to curl up like one of those fortune telling fish you get in Christmas Crackers! I'm going to try to get some money off.

I'd be very surprised if it was Gary. Or at least if it is, it's totally indistinguishable from a £35 standard proof coin!

No, not at all. My philosophy has always been to make information available to anyone that wants it. Anyone that wants to ask anything is welcome to. What I can't tolerate though is people that write badly, with no puctuation, text message abbreviations, and generally use very chav like nonsense phrases. I also hate it when people don't know what they have and post here to find out, without first exploring the website or doing a google search. Lots of things crop up quite often, and when people ask twice a week, it bores me to tears. If sure you had a good response because: 1. You knew what you had. 2. You asked nicely using a good standard of English. 3. You sounded genuinely interested. 4. What you have is very modern, and therefore pretty 'easy'. 5. You admitted you know nothing, and everybody likes to show off their knowledge after such an invite! 6. You're female and 25. (which psychologically helps, even for those that don't flirt with the posters!) So there we are. And thankyou for your contributions, do call again soon.

Yes, £700 and £700 retail. I'd offer £450 and £500, which is quick and fair. Yes, here is the right place to post your intentions Lorna. I'm amazed how you had about 6 replies within minutes!

£1300 for the 4 coin Britannia!! Spink says £700, so offers would be around £500.

Lorna, Young 20 something females are always very welcome in here, so you can talk about what you like The 3 coin Sovereign anniversary set is worth £450 (at least, that's what i'd probably pay if it's as new). The Britannia set, perhaps £500. I'm less sure about that one. Where are you? Perhaps we could meet somewhere, maybe a nice restaurant somewhere, so that I can inspect them? (I really must stop doing that!)

That's the one. Supposedly, that's what frosted coins look like.

That's a normal proof Gary, the kind that would have been in a 1937 Proof set. All of those had frosted devices, the 'frosted' VIP coin was frosted all over, to look like the one on ebay recently.

I heard that even real ones were simply normal coins dipped in acid at the time!

There was a frosted 1951 on ebay recently. I have a friend with a proof '34 and should be photographing it in a month or so.

And also let me say in my defence: At the moment with printing costs I couldn't afford not to sell it....Had I kept it and sent it to you, only to be rejected, I would have been without the cash for at least a week or two. Then I'd have to find a new buyer, and who knows how long that would have taken. You seemed unsure about it, and I didn't yet know you well enough to take a chance. I can tell you who bought it if you like. He may still have it, and I'll tell you what he got it for, and you can probably knock him down so that he doesn't make too much on it.