Peckris 2

I would (after eliminating the tautology of "almost practically"!) based purely on the photograph. Seeing the coin in hand I might vary that, but not by much.

Yes - I too found more pre-47 florins than shillings, though that may just be coincidence; the mintages of Geo VI silver florins and shillings are broadly similar. On the other hand, before 1982's 20p introduction you'd see many more florins as you'd get up to 4 as change from 50p, where you'd only get one shilling. Sixpences survived until 1980 when they were demonetised.

Just on the picture alone, I'd say that was as near Unc as you're going to find on those coins. (Can't see evidence of dipping.)

Well, I've been watching American TV since Alias Smith & Jones and Kojak in the early 70s, and I can assure you that in all that time I never ever knew that 555 was a fictional phone exchange! (Happy Days, Cagney & Lacey, Murder She Wrote, The Rockford Files, Friends, Taxi, Cheers, Frasier... and all the Star Treks - oh wait... )

Only on first glance and not consulting references, it seems to be halfway between the two. On the other hand, it may just be a final 7 punched too close to the first one?

Nevertheless a picture of your putative C over G would be essential for us to comment.

It was extremely common to find florins and shillings in change though it gradually lessened up to 1990/2 when the sizes changed and they were all withdrawn. It was also possible to find pre-47 silver, usually George VI. The humble sixpence also survived until 1980, though there never was a 2 1/2p coin. Note that the mintage of 10 pences and 5 pences (from 1968) never came anywhere near the mintage of 1971 bronze, for precisely this reason, that florins and shillings were only gradually withdrawn. copper123 - you didn't see ANY copper after August 1971 as it was no longer legal tender. In fact halfpennies were demonetised in 1969, so only pennies survived to 1971.

I'm very glad this site is http not https as my (older) browser sometimes refuses to connect to a site that isn't https. Which is total pants as a much older browser on an old machine rarely refuses to connect. Computers eh? Gotta love 'em.

Maybe , but non-Americans wouldn't have a CLUE about that, so I echo Michael's remark about "not fair".

Interesting. Not here though - I just got the Google search page.

I really don't know where to begin with this. The main description has WW1 as well as WW11. The queen is "on the back" (!). Winston Churchill apparently was solely responsible for beating A-Dolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. Its composition is "metal" (you don't say ).

Easy! There's no such site or domain as "Human-Bait.com"...

It's quite possible (though I'm just guessing) that some VIPs got the standard crown with their set, particularly as they were already scarce and struck mainly for collectors - your average VIP may not ever have seen one and would be duly impressed receiving even the non-proof version.

I personally would rate the reverse GEF, but would stop at EF for the obverse, as there are numerous instances of slight wear - the ribbon, the nose/lips/chin, tips of leaves, bottom of drapery, etc.

I know it's big, but do hang on to the Coincraft book if you can - the essays (some large, some small) before each section are well worth having, and are something that Spink doesn't offer; though Spink would be equally large if they did.

Or "Monstrous Carbuncle I"

Same as always - careless handling by a previous owner.

Considering the first William was a Bastard (in all senses of the word), I wouldn't be too surprised if Will decided to adopt a different regnal name.

Agreed. It's TECHNICALLY a coin, but then limited edition plates to hang on your wall in special holders are only TECHNICALLY plates : you'd never eat off them.

Isn't that Chewbacca after a big night out?

Sounds like they did a few VIP proofs - not surprising since other denominations got them too.

A loupe is always useful especially when starting out. As mentioned cotton gloves (lint free) are good for handling coins. AND ... the most important bit ... a selection of books on the subject - advice depending on what you're most interested in.

Welcome to the forums VR It will be good to hear your collecting experiences and see what treasures you locate. The book on grading English coins in the banner ad above is well worth it as a starting point.

If the 1938 is in high grade it's quite scarce. But still only a few £. There's also a couple of scarce varieties of the 1953, but you need to know your onions to spot them.

Ouch!!