TomGoodheart

Very true. I can't be bothered with modern error coins. But I admit I have several shillings where the design is very rarely found with an earlier or later mint mark. Are they errors? An experiment? Who knows, but I do look out for such things. And while most legend errors I consider to be of lesser interest, I have one which was also represented in the Brooker collection. A fact that I use to justify including an example in mine! I guess for me, Brooker provides (or did when I first started collecting) a checklist (and in some cases a grade benchmark) to aim for. And if there's no example in Brooker? Well, that might make a coin interesting to me too! .

Agreed. I consider that I have a good eye for detail. But all these tiny little differences? They just don't do it for me at all. .

Well, it is possible to edit articles on Wikipedia if you disagree with them Rob! And if you register as a user then your edits will appear linked to your user ID (as opposed to your ip address). After which you have privacy of an ID, can track your entries, edits and articles and have more editing tools available to you. You could upload your current blogs as articles if you wished ... it might even get you linked to others who share your interests. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Why_create_an_account%3F#Benefits_explained Just an idea! .

The waves just above the date area are different to my eyes. But I assume there are other markers? Things pointing to teeth and micrometre differences in trident position and such, .... as beloved by the Penny boys! .

There's a copy of Raynes on eBay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Catalogue-of-the-Important-collection-of-English-Coins-Formed-By-William-Luard-R-/311496256086?hash=item48869faa56:g:UrIAAOxy0NtTBhSy .

Mmm .. they sometimes sell coins in the market near the Mirador de Colom Matt. At the end of las Ramblas.. .

Paul Withers of Galata has copies of Burstall, (plus a copy bound in with Brettell and Elmore Jones). He has some earlier Spinks too (but no St James, however Rob P has a few of those) http://www.galata.co.uk/store.asp?storeAction=showProds&stockMasterCategoriesID=87 The others.. well, as you probably know most are hard to come by. Farquhar I have only ever seen one copy for sale, which I bought. .

Forum software update? Hold on to your hats chaps! (Or any other things you value!)

We all make purchases early on in our collecting that we probably wouldn't after a year or ten. But these experiences help us learn, both what to look out for and what we personally count as important in a coin. As Nordle says, there are many different ways to appreciate the imperfections of the coins we own. And in the end, as you say, it's a pretty coin, so no terrible loss to put up with it until you find an upgrade. A good first post I think! Oh and, welcome! .

I've sent a message to Chris David. Hopefully he can track down the glitch.

Choice uncirc? 111840279589 .

Seconded! Looks good and fresh. Though, personally, I'm not sure that the auction catalogue section needs an image of the auction house banner for each catalogue. That's fine if you eventually plan have a photo of the actual catalogue for sale (I think Paul Withers does this). If not a list seems adequate .. perhaps with brief notes on the main strengths of a sale and condition as before? .

Moltes Felicitats! Because I'm sure you're fluent in Catalan.

It just feels to me that, given the regular silver proof can be had for £25 or so, paying hundreds for this variant makes little sense. I'm not convinced that in five or ten years time there will be demand for it that will justify the difference in price. However if you really do want one then auctions might be your best bet. London coins sold one for £70 ... a far more acceptable price than the £500 I've seen from places like this: http://thelondoncoincompany.com/2001-Victoria-Centenary-5-Five-Pound-Silver-Matt-Proof-Coin-PCGS-PR69 .

Yes. It's good they are honest about it. But without that warning (perhaps from less honest seller) it looks pretty convincing in the photos to me... Good spot Stewie! .

Well, it certainly would have fooled me. .

For some reason the habit of pricing things in guineas continued long after the actual coin went out of circulation ... I remember it even in the 1960s. Whether it sounded posher (it seemed to continue longer in stores like Harrods and for more expensive items), or was a bit like the current habit of large prices being quoted in single numbers ("Only two, nine, nine!" when we all know it's basically £300..) and you had to remember to add in an extra shilling to every pound, I'm not sure ... .

Obviously, I'm not advising you to go crazy Swanny. But I learnt from my Dad that sometimes when you see something you really want, you just have to go for it. Actually, it was the few things he didn't buy and regretted ever after that taught me! Providing you've made a good purchase, in 5 or 10 years time the price will be forgotten (or at least irrelevant), but hopefully the pleasure of owning your coin will still be there. .

Personally, I don't see anything that really shouts fake at me. However, assuming they even are genuine, neither is a particularly nice example. I think you'd tire of them and want to upgrade eventually. I know I've regretted some of my lower grade purchases, even when the coin in question has been quite rare. Sadly, it's sometimes necessary to go beyond our normal budget to buy better examples. And if you can get the reassurance of buying from a reputable dealer or established provenance for such coins, all the better. .

You can get your coin slabbed. And you can put the price up 200%. But that doesn't mean you will get the asking price. Most collectors aren't mugs. They pay what the coin is worth and in the end a slabbed coin is just a coin. Sure you get a bit of plastic and a label, but the actual coin hasn't changed from how it was pre-slabbing. Not 200%! Sure there are costs involved. And maybe if your coin is the Finest Known it's worth paying a premium ... but the majority of coins slabbed are modern and there are thousands of examples and the likelihood of a better-than-CGS-have-seen is high. Rarities, or coins that are copied to a high standard, maybe there is a value to the slab and authentication. But you should still only pay the market value. Would I pay double for a better-than-average example of a coin that is normally only found in poorer condition? Of course! But I would base my decision on my own personal view that that particular coin is exceptional for the type. Not somebody else's This Is The Best I've Ever Seen guff. Buy the coin, not the slab they say. Good advice. .

They sound cool George. Some info about how to post photos in threads here: http://www.predecimal.com/forum/topic/7880-posting-pics/ Because we always like to see pics!

You're just trying to make me jealous of all those lovely hammered pennies aren't you? It worked ..

Well, we'd happily try to ID your finds for you George! Oh and welcome! .

Anthony Halse is a BNTA member and Chairman of South Wales and Monmouthshire Numismatic Society. I don't know any reason the site shouldn't be live. Hopefully you'll get a reply soon.

Gaming tokens appear to be quite often come ready pierced for suspension, so no great loss and an interesting piece of history.