TomGoodheart

I feel a bit like a teenager again. Sitting by the telephone .. waiting. Only this time I'm waiting for an email from a dealer to tell me the price of a coin I'm interested in. Ah well, patience is a virtue they say! Sadly, a virtue I lack!

Unfortunately he just listed a load of coins on a pdf which were to be added to the site later .. but never were, so there are no prices at all. I don't even have a ball park figure as to what he thinks it might be worth. Though of course, I have a low, low figure in mind for what I'd like to pay! It's just wait and see now .. At least I'm off to work now so shall be distracted for the next 24 hours!

Aaand ... still waiting and no more patient than yesterday! Still, it seems a pretty effective way of saving my pennies, so perhaps I shouldn't complain. Though I'm starting to wonder if the price will be beyond my means, or at least what I'd like to pay .. It'd be so much easier if dealers just priced everything they have in stock up front ..

I believe Dave Allen was the Hon Secretary of the Beds Society. He runs Cambridge Coins in Biggleswade. Maybe email him and ask?

That's great stuff seuk! Very nice, and some excellent examples too! Makes me wonder if I shouldn't do something with my shillings ... but sadly my medical condition (terminal laziness) makes that difficult! Can I ask what the A (C etc) numbers signify? Are they your own classification of obv/rev types or linked to another publication? (Sorry if that's a daft question!)

I see Geoff hasn't posted for months now and even then, has been nowhere near a regular contributer as he was a couple of years ago. I'm not sure if people become busy with other things; Declan and his house move for example, or lose interest in the hobby, or at least writing about it? Gollum hopefully is ok. I seem to remember his health is none too good .. or maybe his wife found out he was spending money on coins! It'd be interesting to catch up on some of the 'old' members, particularly the youngsters, to see if they are still collecting, or if they got to whatever heights they were aspiring to. (See?! I could have used GeoffT's help there since I'm sure you're not supposed to split infinitives or something!) Emperor Oli perhaps? Or maybe they are all just on Farmville ...

That'll be "collectable" in the sense of putting the bins out for collection. Looks like it was run over at some point. Still .. nice of them to post really big pics so you can see all the detail.

I think the whole market (and not just for coins) has changed so significantly it's impossible to compare today with even 20 years ago let alone the 1970s. Then, as Numismatist says, you needed to buy through the dealers and were limited to what was in the trays on the day you visited, or impressing them enough that they would contact you when new stock came in. There was information about coins, but it was limited to a few journals available on subscription and a handful of books, like North, Peck. Nowadays you can view dozens of coins on ebay alone. You can search auction catalogues as far afield as Australia, Germany or the US online. Instead of being limited to the few people you meet at your local coin club, you can chat to collectors around the globe and compare coins and information without ever leaving home. I myself have built up my entire collection since 2004, almost all online and through contacts with other collectors. I have copies of published papers, am aware of collections and collectors, I might never even have heard about if I had to rely solely on the interests of collectors local to me. And as we know, knowledge is power! Potentially very rare coins can become common knowledge and instead of one or two other collectors seeking a variety it could be dozens or more. Yes, people still keep aquisitions close to their chests but when something is bought from ebay or an auction house it's much more likely another collector will spot it and learn of its existence than 20 or 40 years ago. All of this has an effect on prices in that collectors wishing to specialise can become more knowledgable more quickly and see more examples (and therefore build a better sense of how scarce and so how much to pay) than ever before. People see better coins, better provenance and want them. Yes, there are people who just rely on ebay, just as in the 1970s I expect some relied on their local antique or 'coin and stamp' shop. But if you want to leave that behind and shop with the 'big boys' (sorry Debbie!) I think it's a lot easier to do so than 40 years ago.

Interesting question. Unfortunately in the 1970s I was mostly interested in listening to Black Sabbath and looking for a girlfriend that liked science fiction ... But out of curiosity I looked at Seaby's 1972 catalogue. The catalogue itself is priced at £1.25. Given Spink's is now £25 and although larger I reckon the price of publishing is now cheaper (given it's probably printed in China) I've assumed a similar ratio for the prices quoted, ie: 20x just for fun. Taking the first issue of Charles I shillings (A1/1) which was £11 in fine (prices aren't given for higher grades) in 1972, multiplying by 20 would take that to £220. Whereas the Spink price is, what? £125? Similarly the later common 'Briot style' bust im triangle was £5 converting to £100 today. Whereas in real life you'd pick one up for £50. Of course, that's a pretty random calculation, given that the relative prices for things is not fixed. While a loaf of bread might have kept pace with inflation, not so for a pocket calculator. My first 'scientific' one was £55. Which doesn't compare very well with my daughter's phone which was 'free' on a contract costing only double her weekly pocket money. Given my pocket money in 1972 was about 12½ p and daughter's phone has a brain the size of a planet (almost literally as it's connected to the internet) technology clearly has become (relatively) much cheaper. Which is a long rambling way of saying, maybe coins are still (relatively) cheap?

LOL One of the famed Saint-Gaudens gold double eagles is on display in London's Goldsmiths' Hall on 3/4 March. So if you are down there why not take a look and tell us all if it's worth the fuss! BBc video Sadly it doesn't link up with the dates for the London Coin Fair (now, that would have been a good idea!) so .. Goldsmiths' Company

It's a family coat of arms. The blazon is party per pale azure and gules a griffin en passant (shield in blue on the left and red on the right with a griffin walking on it) and the crest a sea horse naiant ( a sea horse lying down). But which family ... I haven't managed to discover I'm afraid. Maybe the above might help..

Many of you will be aware of the current concerns in the US (and I believe Germany) about coins imported from Europe which are, or may be, covered by the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (CCPIA). Namely that the collecting of ancient coins of historical interest will be severely affected by legislation designed to protect 'cultural property' by restricting the import of such items and allowing for the seizure and return to country of origin of the same. There's been a fair amount of stuff posted on a number of coin collecting and dealers sites about this. But in my internet wanderings I came across the blogs of someone called Paul Barford, an archaeologist. Now, Paul is not really one to pull his punches and appears to have little respect for those he calls 'coineys' ( .. um, I guess, us) and 'history plunderers' (detectorists) and needless to say his views are rather the opposite of what the collectors and dealers post. I found his views ... interesting. Now, I have to say that, as a collector I find myself in a bit of a dilemma. I think that even if only a small part of what he says about UK detectorists is true, it's enough to worry me that historical information may be being lost, other less 'interesting' artefacts such as pottery shards or bone fragments are being disturbed or distroyed, and items are probably 'going missing' rather than being declared to the PAS. On the other hand, it would be a very rare collector who would refuse to buy a coin off ebay if the seller couldn't explain exactly where it came from. Looking at my own collection, the information given to me about the few declared detector finds is mostly very limited. Only one (who was the finder) gave me a location and map of where the coin was dug. And of course, we know that historically, such information hasn't been a priority. Few Victorian collectors kept information about their coins, unless it was provenance regarding previous owners, and the situation isn't much better today. Most of my coins can only really be traced back 20 years or so at most. Less really, since I don't have the budget to buy coins from major collections. Some only have the name of the person I bought from and, even where that's a known dealer, many seem unable or reluctant to pass on any pertinent details. So I guess, I 'get' the gist of Paul Barford's concerns. But I'm not quite sure what I personally can or would do about this. And I also worry slightly (since my coins all originated in England and so aren't so threatened by the aspects of CCPIA that concern ancient coin collectors) that I'd find it difficult to provide much provenance for my coins if required. Just some thoughts really. And I wondered what others here think?

As far as I know the idea is to preserve the cultural history of a country. Essentially it applies to international trade, and primarily was aimed at looted material dug illegally and then shipped abroad for profit. I believe it does apply (assuming we're one of the signatories, which is likely) to British coins, but we aren't seemingly as interested in pursuing it as say the Greeks or Bulgarians, their antiquities. Since our coins are British then I doubt there would be the concern unless we sold them somewhere like the US in which case the American authorities might question it. But at the moment the focus seems to be on Mediterranean /Middle Eastern . more exotic locations than western Europe. We also have the added advantage of the Portable Antiquities Scheme. While not perfect it is in effect a recognition by the archeaological community of the interests of the numismatic and detectorists. While no doubt artefacts might be taken illegally or without reporting here, it's less likely. And so I think our authorities have less pressure on them (and less interest) in pursuing a few dug coins. Obviously it's a good idea to keep records (including asking sellers where coins are from). But hopefully, in true British fashion, common sense will prevail and nobody will be claiming our coins only to stick them in a box for them never to be seen again. There is I think some benefit from having coins in the hands of collectors in that they are studied, preserved and stored by someone else. I doubt there are the resources or interest for 'the Government' to do it and if they will otherwise just sit in storage there's an argument it's better for them to be in proivate hands, no?

I suppose it's not surprising that our mood effects how we feel about things. T'other day I was reviewing a recent purchase and caught myself looking at a few of the coins in my trays and feeling quite pleased about my little collection. Whereas today I'm at home with a stinking cold and thought I'd do a quick comparison of the collection with a list of coins I recently printed out to make sure I hadn't missed any or listed ones I've sold. I started wondering if I should just sell half the things. They either weren't very well stuck, or had been clipped or struck on odd shaped flans, or just the toning somehow wasn't particularly pleasing. I thought if I could get back what I paid for them I could start again with higher standards and get a collection in which every coin gave me a pleasant glow. Of course, that's pretty impractical. Some of the coins I paid rather over the odds for in my enthusiasm and naivete. Others I have little choice as they are so rare another example is unlikely to come up for sale. And of course, prices have risen and so even if I got my money back the liklihood I could buy a better coin now is rather hopeful! Tomorrow I dare say I shall feel better. It's no doubt the cold that's given me the critical perspective. But if anyone wants 16 Charles I shillings, just let me know! Low milage, one careful owner! Shall we start offers at a couple of grand?

£105 last year. £200 now, for what I think is a ruined coin.

If you don't need the money, then I'd say no. Something might re-interest you later on and if it does, you'll find it more expensive to replace what you had. We've all had/seen coins and regretted not buying them earlier at a cheaper price! I seem to remember you've a few older pieces, not just modern stuff, so you might find in a few years you want to expand one particular aspect of your collection so will have a head start. And if not .. well you might get a better price later on. As for US coins .. well, it might be worth rethinking ebay. Yes, it has some risks, but there's a better range of stuff there than most dealers plus you have the international sellers. And .. I hate to be boring but .. if you're interested in US coins maybe a copy of the 'Red Book'would be useful? About £10 on Amazon or ebay.

Not a laugh, just a salutary lesson. Cleaning is not generally advisable! Here's the coin when it was listed in Feb last year: And here as it is, nice and shiny [sic] today. Sadly, not an improvement imho.

Any chance of a photo (of both sides please)? You can post small pics (150 kb) directly from your computer as an attachment to a post, or link to a flikr/ photobucket type photo hosting site. That would help people assess the grade; which is the main aspect that will decide the price. And the diameter, just to confirm that it is a halfpenny! Oh, and don't clean it! At least until someone tells you it's not worth worrying about! A rinse under a tap is ok, but try not to rub the dirt off, it will make lots of scratches that spoils the surface.

Waiting for a coin to arrive Dave? I'm still waiting for mine to be posted!

mcsearch Christie's (Spink) If that's any help ... (there's a fair degree of variation depending on condition but £400+?)

In case it helps, I checked online for a bullion price and today's for a full sov was £260 from one buyer. x4 sovs = £1040 I get the impression online is best for prices. Jewellers offer 10% or more under melt .. and those 'Sell Your Gold' stalls least of all. Avoid them! Whether any of the coins have collector value beyond their bullion, maybe others can advise.

They don't seem cheap. Problem is either they are from change that someone has collected or from the mint. The mint ones people will want back what they paid and £70 is too much. To be honest, if I wanted a set (I did start collecting from change like many other people but got tired of it!) I'd wait. Unless you particularly want them now, surely after the Olympics they will be going for closer to £30-£40 which I think is a fair price? Packaged sets on ebay have sold from £40 + postage so if you're keen I'd aim for around that. Alternatively I wonder if picking up 6 coins here, 8 coins there might be a cheaper way to get a set? OK, you won't have the presentation pack, but they can be bought on ebay too. Or how about the single packed coins ?. See if the seller will combine postage and bid 99p. You could get them all for £30 + post maybe? A bit of work, but cheaper than a RM set anyway!

I know! And there are dozens of the things now, so not even rare! ..Oh, wait, or was that the G3/2s?

Henry VIII as Adolph Hitler anyone? I mean, it's not as if his portraits are very flattering at the best of times, but ... really! He doesn't need that!

The thing is ... a large determiner as to whether I consider the price of a coin to be reasonable relies on what I've seen before. If a coin is pretty much like other examples, I'm not going to pay as much as for one that looks better than average. If I've never seen as good an example before or, (as with my last purchase) if I know that better examples while available, go for at least double to 10x what I'm paying and I'm prepared to compromise for the price ... I can only assume the buyers simply don't know what an UNC specimen looks like. But surely, for modern coins like this, it's not too difficult to do a web search for photos - even to check auction prices for the various grades? It sort of feels that if you are going to buy something on the basis of a seller's description, without apparently doing any homework, then it's buyer beware really...