TomGoodheart

That depends on what you want to spend. A good picture framers should be able to sort something out for you. Putting felt or velvet behind the coins would allow them to be kept in place by the pressure of the glass so they don't slip around whilst on the wall. Or choose a frame yourself from a shop? Alternatively Chris here sells coin trays. They can be bought with holes of various sizes so you could select one to hold yours safely. They are quite attractive on their own or you could get some moulding and make a frame around the tray for display purposes? If you message him from here he can perhaps advise. At least, them's my ideas. Maybe someone else can suggest something better?

"This coin is slightly better than the pictures but it was hard to get the detail with the camera that ive got. No, honestly, the picture tells me everything I need to know! Coins like this go for over £100 on ebay what, 'like this' as in round and made of metal? so grab a bargin! With all my lots you will get exactly what you see in picture, no more Indeed! no less! "

Most metals tarnish and coins pick up dirt Joe. So while your coin may look like aged silver that's no guarantee I'm afraid. And while more recently some coins have been struck especially in silver I'm not aware that this was the case for coins of this date. So although you could get your coin analysed, I'm sure it will turn out to be the normal cupro-nickel. Sorry!

Which should be good news for collectors of higher grade or rare pieces with a decent provenance traceable from illustrated sales catalogues over the past 100 years or so. But less so for those of us with modest pockets who pick up coins from antique shops, Ebay and other places where people simply haven't kept (or don't know) the provenance of a coin. I think I have a couple of recent hoard coins through auction, a dozen I can trace back beyond whoever sold me the coin to a dealer such as Stephen Mitchell or another auction house, a handful from well known collectors (including one coin I can track back to the 1950's). But for the most part, all I have is the invoice from the dealer that sold me the coin or simply a printout of the Ebay listing. I buy in good faith and using a modicum of common sense, as I suspect we all do. But that might not be much defence in a court of law. Just sayin!

I've collected a few - about £20 worth - but having picked out the worst of the bunch (wrong / out of alignment reverses, extra poor casting, wrong colour (one in lead, painted gold!)) I've given up and just pass them on. A few I've kept for a friend who claims he knows someone with over 200 of the things, but they are only a passing interest to me. I have however noticed I get more from certain shops and taxi firms than others and haven't seen the numbers coming my way substantially decrease, despite the recent arrest of Mr Glindon. The bottom line is that, like counterfeits throughout history, there is little incentive to hand them over to the authorities. You lose a quid, and a numismatic curiousity.

Mmmm .. I was under the impression that it was the UNESCO agreement on the treatment of antiquities that is the problem. See here for a rant UNIDROIT Effectively making the assumption that unless an antiquity could be shown ot have been in collectors' hands for some time it could be assumed to have been obtained illegally. What concerns me is that, of the coins I own, many of which were obtained from reputable dealers whose names you would all be familiar with, very few have details of previous owners. Whenever I ask 'do you have an old collector's ticket' or 'can you tell me where this coin is from' I'm often told that the coin was bought at a show / as part of a lot and that no ticket exists. Worse, I've seen coins I have owned for sale on Ebay with 'I don't know much about this coin' descriptions. When I have emailed the seller to tell them that all the information (Spink reference, provenance, dates of purchase) are on the ticket I supplied to the purchaser they have no idea what I'm talking about. If people simply don't pass on tickets or details to purchasers none of us will have a leg to stand on should the police knock on our doors demanding to know where our coins were found and when and how long they have been in private hands.

And a very belated Happy New Year to everyone from me too! Here's to a survivable (if not succesful) 2009!

As a 'specialist' collector, I look far and wide for my coins. I have bought many internationally and I have no idea why Germany should be any worse (?) than anywhere else. I bought a very scarce variation from a chap that picked it up as part of a job lot in Germany. I look internationally because few of the rare varieties are recognised there and so there's always a chance of finding something new for cheap! I had a minor hassle with a coin from a German auction house (WAG), but only because I hadn't realised I'd have to pay by bank transfer. Once I got over my anxiety my building society accomodated my request quite happily. In terms of grading I use the photos. Even with UK sellers I generally ignore their view of grade and condition. I'm the one that is going to have to live with the coin, after all. I have never had problems with post. The only hiccup I remember was when poor Antony Wilson sent me a coin to my Royal Mail PO Box via parcel post. Because of the separation of the Royal Mail and Parcelforce, without his excellent assistance my coin would have slipped into some limbo. But I have never had a coin lost, nor a seller renege on a deal. As for language. I have always found sellers in Europe to have excellent English. If I'm really not sure, I don't bid. But that goes for anywhere, doesn't it?

The crown wasn't featured on the reverse of Elizabeth I's Milled Coinage. Oh, OKay! I did mean since the reign of Charles II, but of course I forgot Lizzie and her little issue! Thanks for that HC!

Oh, and just out of interest. Am I correct in thinking that this is the first time our milled coinage has not featured a crown in the design of at least one denomination?

To me it's a quaint idea, but they seem more like commemeratives than 'proper' coins. The 'flaw' in my eyes is that the designs don't really stand out individually. Particularly the 5p and 1p. Even the 10p is irritating in that we've lost a leopard. I'd say the Scots have definitely got the best deal with the 2p. I think there will be a flurry of people in the pub trying to see how the designs all join together then everyone will get bored. In fact, since I understand they will be released as required it will be some time before all designs are available. Until then people will no doubt limit themselves to admiring comments such as 'wtf???' and 'scuse me but you've given me some foreign **** in my change dear!' * 'wtf' meaning of course, 'what these for?'

I've about 10 fake £1s ranging from the atrocious (lead, with a bit of gold paint) to the very good (more recent) cast coins. I usually find one a week, they aren't that uncommon. Hardly surprising given the numbers produced: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7144549.stm My favourites are those with the wrong reverse or legend. I've not seen other denominations.

The silver ones are half-crowns (12.5p) and are worth bullion value for their silver content. Chris can no doubt tell you how much when he's next online. The Canadian bank token is interesting but I don't know much about these! Hopefully someone else can help! Though judging from Ebay it's only worth a few quid.

I suspect it's a repro or recast of this John Kendall medal It looks as if the originals were bronze. My guess is yours is a modern souvenir, perhaps from Rhodes or wherever he was born in England? Though if it were silver ....

Oh, I make it a policy of whenever a new £5 coin comes out to get a handful from the post office and spend them! You should see the expression on people's faces - though I have yet to have one actually refused! (As you can all see, it doesn't take much to amuse me!)

I wasn't suggesting it was the same coin as VLC 77 guys, just that that example showed the 'ball ended R' clearly. You see, this is why I stick to shillings! For a start the design is bigger and variations between different groups and varieties are generally more obvious. None of those different moneyers to worry about either! Not that I can't see the appeal of pennies of course. I did wonder about a small collection of Cnuts at one stage - til budgetry considerations came into the equation at least! And you're right about the patience S - pretty much essential for this sort of thing! That and a good memory for detail!

Wikipedia says "In 1891 a proclamation was made that members of the general public could hand in any gold coins that were underweight and have them replaced by full weight coins. Any gold coin struck before 1837 also ceased to be legal tender." In theory coins and banknotes do not need to be legal tender to be accepted as payment. For example the occasional Guernsey and Jersey issue £1s and Scottish notes. But the main issue is perhaps whether you would choose to use a coin to purchase something when its bullion value is far in excess of the purchase price. Or whether your local Tesco would accept such a thing. I imagine the looks from the checkout staff might almost be worth the attempt!

What fun it is collecting hammered! I have to say in such matters I tend to depend on others to do the work! I try to find somewhere that has plenty of examples and then start to compare - in this case I tried Antony Wilson's rather good site - http://www.yorkcoins.com/voided_long_cross_pennies_i.htm On page 4 VLC77 appears to shows a 'ball tailed' R quite nicely. But as for round eyes ... they all look the same to me!

Tee hee. A rather battered cartwheel penny for £12. Probably worth a fiver for 'interest'. Since then I have bought lots of 'gap fillers'. Later on they look out of place and I've regretted being so impulsive and not waiting. But that's life!

Ooh!! Anyone want my shilling? "Most Beautiful By Far" I'll accept US $3,995.00!

Mammered sixpence? Surely that's a boob?

If in nice condition, ie no dints, scratches at all, looking brand new, around face value in terms of cash. However as the starting point for a coin collection, they could be priceless! Because everyone has to start somewhere. And although these aren't most members' interests, it wouldn't surprise me if most (like me) have a box, jar or little bag somewhere with coins in 'extra nice' condition that we've picked out of our change! So I'd suggest holding on to them. If you don't want them, pass them on to a kid in the family. Maybe it'll spark their interest as a future collector! Then like me they can feel the excitement of finding something new in their change (in my case a 2003 (Give Women The Vote) 50p I got at the weekend - first one I've ever seen outside of a catalogue!)

Uncirculated? Not to me ... but then, what do I know. Apart from the fact that I wouldn't pay £1595 for it!

Yes, congratulations from me too. Mine is now 13 and time seems to have flown. Enjoy those early days. Once they can walk, well ... !

Hi Mike. Welcome!