Peter

Motivation is derived from many sources. Other collections provide inspiration when you are clueless. How often do you hear new collectors saying "what should I collect?" Almost all collectors start out with a bit of this and a bit of that, but eventually settle on a focussed set of criteria. Something has to motivate them to specialise, or does the motivation arise from the captivation of their chosen criteria? Some collectors stay focussed over decades, others not. Some experienced collectors migrate from one theme to another either by choice or out of frustration from not being able to fill the vacant slots in the series. Maybe it's down to boredom, or maybe lack of funds, because as Peter says, I don't think many people would ever go into debt for a hobby. Basically we all have to go at our own financially constrained speed, which is why it doesn't help to get too worked up over the contents of someone else's collection that you have no control over. It's always nice to have the best known, but that comes with the caveat that a better best known may well be just around the corner. Having 2nd best is not a large problem as long as it is within spitting distance of the best. Far more important is that it has eye appeal, which for anyone interested in detail by definition means as high a grade as possible, though toning has a major part to play. People collecting at the top end will always have a mixture of top quality and not quite there pieces because there simply isn't sufficient material to go around. Most quality collections will have a few best knowns, but hidden away will also be a selection of indifference. Some of the Slaney hammered pieces were absolutely top drawer, but some of the milled were not. Some coins you get and others you miss out on. Some you bought whilst wearing rose tinted spectacles and live to regret. You can be collecting for decades, but still make new discoveries that motivate you on to find out more. My motivation is frequently refocussed based on a recent purchase, or a potential future purchase that I see in a forthcoming sale catalogue. I want to know if that coin on offer represents a good example to acquire. I don't want to buy something that I would later duplicate with a vastly superior piece. We are all motivated differently, with probably more divergence of viewpoints than you get with grading - which is saying a lot. The day I bore of getting out my coins and feeling so so is the day I will give up.I often go to bed thinking how I will refocus everything.We can always do better. I'm savaging my collection to come up with a streamlined choice but many coins have memories.Apart from my 1/4d's maybe I could end up with 50 coins....Right top 50 coming up... & at the end of the day position 45 to 50 will have to watch their backs

I NEVER SAID I WAS NORMAL – NOTHING A WEIRD AS FOLK I DID SAY LET US OPEN AND TELL STORIES -WHO CAN BE NORMAL COLLECTING PIECES OF METAL Pieces of metal ummmm. Funny how it seems that I don't have to write down where I took custodian of various coins...most stick in the mind and where bought for a reason (whatever that was )

A very understanding wife. The fact its brass and may I say something I would even overlook (However the retreat of Dale Farm springs to mind)...What makes a coin worth 20K?....it is simple but never beautiful.

It's clear that this is a 17th century imitation of the coinage of the future. Its got a head stamped on one side and know ware on it. A must have for all coalectors

We all collect within a budget(or one assumes no one here goes into debt in doing it). I'm sure we all have coins which we believe are quality...and within individual parameters are. An exclusive coin is great...but imagine if its only 2nd best. Everyone needs a kick up the backside...BUT if we all sought the Holy Grail of coins there would be a lot of disappointed collectors. I look at what I believe other collectors have...and yes I am jealous only to the extent that I will get there at my own speed. History and coins goes without saying...imagination.

Your Vespasian still shows the powerfull portrait of an Imperial Brass Sestercius - you aquired the coin very well Thanks Thats a bag of old rubbish Peck..I have better with a hole in stopping the downstairs loo from dripping.

London coins are CGS aren't they?

Hi Geordie I'm glad you're OK.I'm also glad you got your Exeter mint With the huge increases in prices you can always trade up Peter

Nice coin...I would go along with the US grading of XF (UK grade GVF to NEF). I've seen many Rupee coins but as you say the half rupees appear scarcer. I'm aware of many varieties of rupee which are collectable (specialists).Although I don't know of any Indian coin collectors on this forum. I assume the half rupee is shilling size...I've got a few rupees which compared to UK florins can be picked up for a fraction of the cost.I would think the same half rupee/shilling ratio exists. Looking at the picture again I would give it EF.

Hi William It has a bit too much wear for Fine but its not far off. This is quite a rare year and your coin looks problem free.

The prospect of 1200nr Bun pennies with 0-25 years circulation would keep me happy for a few hours (2400 1/2d's or 4800 1/4d's). No disrespect to classic early coins but....I would get the dining room table extended...lock the door and enjoy.

That's a pretty good summary of where we are with slabs. The main problem as far as the US TPGs are concerned is their lack of knowledge, or their indifference regarding attribution. One of the regular people on the PCGS forum bought a proof Geo.III halfpenny from me. It came back as a currency MS62 despite complying with the full page description in Peck regarding the type. The devotion of many in the US to slabs means that the grade and attribution won't be queried. The TPG is the ultimate arbiter and I as a nobody must be wrong. It's no more than a business model that some subscribe to, but with recognisable faults that an open-eyed collector can see through. For the initiator of this thread, do not expect higher prices from UK buyers just because a coin is slabbed. If slabbed by NGC or PCGS then it would appeal to US buyers more, but only if the number is exceptional for the coin type. If in doubt, don't bother, as you are unlikely to be only uncertain person as to whether slabbing adds value. Slabbing for protection has a rational basis for use, but paying someone for a numbered label and an opinion on the grade can rarely be worth the effort unless the coin is exceptional given the ever increasing number of slabs in the market place. I learned the hard way not to overpay based on grade having bought 2 or 3 MS65s with edge defects which were only seen once out of the slab. Beware the edge defects....I fancied a particular Victorian Bun farthing....but it had a small edge knock.It sold for just under £100. 2 weeks later it was CGS85 and on sale for 50% more (knock hidden ).

The clutching at straws was in reference to anyone here knowing about French errors....let alone French.

The graffiti could of been done anytime from the day it was minted until today. The worst thing about it is that it reduces the numismatic value to zero.

I bet you Spink will sit on the fence regarding gold.Bullion value spot price on gold on which their valuation is based would help. (& also for Ag)...I would be happy to apply Pecks method to the current Bullion value.

Russ The coin is way less than Fine.(Bullion 80% silver only I would of thought). I've got a few 18C French but I'm no expert further than Krause. Frenchie errors...I think you are clutching at straws here. Try Coinpeople.com US based but more likely to help you (Ian has helped me with some 11-13C coins...not strictly French as we know it)

Andrew After the books add a decent glass or loupe to your wish list

I'm going for a poor little farthing. Bearing in mind these coins were used all the time....how the heck did something like this survive.One day I will have one (currency) and it will be near as damn perfect....any copper currency coin between 1672 and 1724 will/would be acceptable. http://images.goldbergauctions.com/php/lot_auc.php?site=1&sale=31&lot=2214〈=1

Its worth bullion approx £130 or so.

You can go there with diddly and still enjoy it.You can see what you want to go for...bettcha buy something

Well you've sold them. You must get the book on grading.I enlarged the coins and they are all from circulation and less than F. If you're near Birmingham for Format coins you should go to the Midland coin fair.A few members have tables there.Have a good look around (the dealers won't bite)

Thanks for the input I've put this on ebay at 99p no reserve so it will go to the highest beidder on there, On reflection it doesn't really fit in with my collection so it might as well go to somebody who will apprecitate it. Best way and good luck. BTW lowest reserve is £50 isn't it?...how many times do you see a coin worth about £30 which you quite fancy and is at £10...then you see the word reserve...Aggg.

It's most likely to be in average condition, but the range of values would go from around bullion value in Fair (£2?) up to several hundred £ in Mint condition. Here's mine. Looks impressive huh? Actually, it isn't even EF - that's how critical grading is, and how important to get right. thats a nice coin, i just keep buying crap off ebay it seems, im trying to offload my 15 kn pennies on there at the moment Ebay is OK but get some good dealers and use them. If you went to a fair you could pick up most of the bargain basement items from dealers 50p tins...look in the £4 tins and there are £10 ebay coins

That, Sir, is our feudal overlord, Philip von Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksberg. Makes you proud to be British. It's all a bit Greek to me.

It's most likely to be in average condition, but the range of values would go from around bullion value in Fair (£2?) up to several hundred £ in Mint condition. Here's mine. Looks impressive huh? Actually, it isn't even EF - that's how critical grading is, and how important to get right. Nice coin Peck. I sold mine because it didn't cut the mustard...yours would.