Rob

Anything can happen right up to the point when the lot is announced. Even the printed catalogue is not necessarily the final article. In St. James's 13 (March 2010), the estimates on a dozen gold and silver lots I was interested in were raised on the day by about a grand across the board. All were submitted by a US dealer either on his own account or on behalf of a customer. This was on the back of a marked increase in prices at the end of 2009/early 2010 and was perfectly within the vendor's rights, however frustrating it might be for bidders. In consequence, I ignored them and only bought one lot that was unaffected.

I suspect they are merely resting and will burst forth cometh the hour. All that matters is what is for sale on the day.

It's not a coin. There are a few people on here who know medals and tokens - Bagerap is one of them. He tends to appear in the wee small hours. If not, send him a message.

It can be a real eye-opener looking at past catalogues. To keep it topical, Cuff (1854) had a lot of Carlisle siege pieces including a few duplicates that sold from a pound upwards. Today these would go for a five figure sum. I know that one coin I bought 10 years ago for 1800 was part of a 4 coin lot in 1909 that sold for 17s6d!! Or the Henry VIII testoon that graced the front cover of the 2009 Coins of England, sold for £34K in Marshall (2004). In 1802 it was one of a 2 coin lot in the Tyssen sale which made a couple of quid. Yes prices have gone up, but so has the number of collectors able and willing to pay for coins. 100 years ago, only the mint state or best(ish) known pieces tended to command top dollar with everything else seemingly going for a small multiple of face value, thus reflecting the relatively few deep pocketed collectors. Today, the average collector is unquestionably wealthier than those of yesteryear, and the population is significantly greater. When that is set against the reducing number of top quality coins available due to museum accessions and the fact that by and large the total number of coins available is essentially static, then there was only ever one way that prices could move.

Probably. Mr Average UK is stupid enough.

These are part of 'The Obsidional Money of the Great Rebellion 1642-1649' by Philip Nelson. Although the original books are not easily found in nice condition, there was a reprint run of 2000 copies made in 1976. Softback with 71 pages, it covers issues in both England and Ireland.

Welcome back. In collecting mode again after the move?

Nobody knows with any certainty. It is conjecture and as such just another opinion. I do think that there is a good case for revisiting all three Henries and starting from scratch because both the IV/V and V/VI divides have not been unambiguously made. Whether sufficient references are available or not to make a clear decision, then I'm not sure they are. It may have to be one of those questions that forever resides in the pending tray.

It's around the fine mark for wear, but has had a hard life.

Don't know where to start. What do you want to know about? You never stop learning, so the first bit of advice is to read, and then some more. And don't gain your knowledge from the eBay school of numismatics.

I haven't heard from him this month. Maybe he has been run over by his golden cart? Hope springs eternal.

Personally,I think it is a downpayment on Brexit in disguise

I vaguely recall it was rotated and not the VIGTORIA. It's a long time ago. Last time I met the person posting was at LCA sale no. 4 or 5? ish. Or maybe earlier.

Coin? Imagine trying to spend it. How would sir like his change? Used $100Ks or will used $50Ks be alright?

When the sheet is produced you sometimes get material or air trapped inside the ingot as it cools. The metal crystallises at the inner surface of the inclusion. As it is rolled progressively thinner these inclusions can become exposed. What you have there is a couple of flaws arising from the trapped air. Attached is an example where you can see the inclusion and crystallised metal to good effect.

£2

No idea. The initials on the truncation mean nothing to me. It looks like a me too fantasy issue with the hair so coarse. Is there possibly a trace of legend between 2 & 3 o'clock on the reverse? If so, it would most likely be a modifiedcopy of some sort. All conjecture.

2p.

I'm just doing them as I write. I'll stop.

Nobody knows. There are no rules.

If it is still sealed in the original pack then it's virtually certain to be right. Copies cost pence each from China, so the likelihood of them going to the trouble of copying the plastic is remote. It's not impossible, but you would expect to see a number appear on the market. Is the plastic still sealed as delivered?

Sorry no spares.

What do you need to know? If it looks like this, then it is the obscured face.

Where did you buy it? I got mine from Mark Ray in Nottingham. It appears all the batch he had were this type. Right place, right time, I guess.

Mine has L08147448 on the hologram