Rob

Mule has a defined definition i.e the pairing of dies that were not intended to be paired. Usually an obsolete design that has been surperseded such as the 1983 2p with the old NEW PENCE legend whereas it should have had the new TWO PENCE reverse design. CGS might have used mule as a description, but definitely not in the context of a polished die for a 1960 crown. They aren't as common as the regular pieces, but certainly not rare.

I'm missing one issue from WW2 onwards................June 1956

Good question and not a clue. That's one that has to be worthy of pursuing with the RM

There might be a genuine coin hidden in there somewhere. The first sale is obviously a con as maggietammy relisted the same item twice. However, as it shows something other than the coin on offer, it is remotely possible that two different, but un-photographable examples are involved. Having said that, it is fair to say that only people with low feedback and dodgy written English are ever fortunate enough to have a couple of spare 5 guinea pieces. That must tell you something.

No, it isn't damaged, but rather is infilled. The design is incuse, so the missing part of the R is due to rubbish in the depression. If the die was damaged, this would result in raised lumps, or flaws leading off the letters. This would reflect the removal of metal on the die

Arsenic in the coins we collect? http://books.google.com/books?id=o-5AAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA290&lpg=PA290&dq=copper+coins+arsenic&source=bl&ots=Q3qbFU4TmX&sig=DcVJX6j3jArFiNiCobCuXdWTBso&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AIjcU_DGIoGVyASu7oGoAQ&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=copper%20coins%20arsenic&f=false Not a major problem as the elemental metal isn't poisonous - its the oxide which is deadly. Plus, of course, the concentrations are very low, so nothing to worry about. Arsenic has been used for centuries to impart a 'mint freshness' look to debased coins. If you compare say the modern Cu-Ni proofs and a silver proof of the same type, it is striking that the silver proof is 'whiter'. This is the look that the addition of arsenic tries to emulate.

Weak lettering on both sides of the Soho conventional currency coins at this time is commonly encountered. The cartwheel pieces having an incuse legend are usually well struck up, but those with the raised legend are often found with weak, verging on non-existent letters. I have ascribed this to a build up of rubbish on the dies generated by small particles left when the die was retracted from the surface of the coin coupled with a small amount of rotational play in the mechanism. It is always restricted to the legend and is often coupled with rough circles at the same diameter as the legend. In the case of the coin above, what appears to have happened is that the incuse detail on the die has become blocked with rubbish leading to a partially formed character. This happens on any coins from any period. There is still a trace of the top of the R visible in the image.

Given the traditional use of coins for propaganda, somewhat surprisingly, none of the above feature the super-heroic Putin - defender of russian principles, saviour of the Russian face and featuring on a pair of underpants near you soon.

Looks like a jetton of some description. Not a clue what though.

One other point for consideration - Ebay go to great lengths to point out that you should keep P&P charges to a minimum, buyers like free P&P, their default charges are RM prices etc., so WTF are they doing automatically enrolling sellers into a global shipping program that promptly charges the buyer postage and packing fees that are considerably greater than the individual would pay if packed by themselves. Of course, you are still liable for ratings of the cost of P&P. When eBay don't charge FVF fees, Paypoo fees and the RM delivers my parcel for free, I am prepared to ship at the cost of a jiffy bag and the cost of getting to a post office - aint gonna happen, is it?

It depends on whether you appreciate the handiwork of the engraver or not. If you want to see the full qualities of the craftsman, then you need to see coins in high grade. If you just want an example of a type, then it obviously doesn't matter what the condition is. If you are an avid afficionado of washers, RS do boxes of 250 starting at £1.10 + VAT.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F9%2F97%2FDiscus_Thrower_Copenhagen.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FDiscus_throw&h=1944&w=1944&tbnid=2eg6y8xiypLk0M%3A&zoom=1&docid=S8sXG4HCLT7xLM&ei=c4AuVM6QHc_TaK7YgJgG&tbm=isch&client=firefox-a&ved=0CEUQMygLMAs&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=990&page=1&start=0&ndsp=35

That is what I was talking about when I said I got stung for charges. If you look at the ? it tells you that this is not a final charge and can be adjusted. Silly me assumed that no import duty or VAT on books meant they weren't going to charge it. If you apply import charges as they are due then it appears to be a bit cheaper than regular post, but automatically being charged for things you don't owe rubs a lot. Yep, it's a rip off for the buyer from all angles. I have instructed the wife to revoke the automatic sign up (coz we are caring people and don't like to see people being ripped off). I assume they will be making something from it because the postage element of the things I bought was slightly cheaper than for the individual. i.e. it wasn't done at normal cost, so you must assume they are making a bit from facilitating the transaction.

Die flaws happen all the time. As the die wears, eventually it will disintegrate with small pieces falling off the die. This gives rise to a raised lump where the missing metal is. IMO, people get too hyped up about something that is a natural progression in the life of a die. The coin isn't sufficiently off-centre to raise any plus points

I thought it was yet another acronym

Sorry, no wiser. Doesn't make sense anyway.

Normal variation. The dates are all over the place from 1822 onwards. Frequently double or even triple cut digits.

As I have said on many occasions. Museums save coins from the nation, not for the nation. Unless you are good buddies with someone inside the museum, the chances are requests for info will be ignored. The BM is less than helpful. My 1/60000000th share in it counts for nothing.

Normal

TDOG - meaning?

A post mint damage date error?

Doesn't look like a coin as it has no date, legend or denomination from what I can see. A medal of sorts is most likely. One side has St. George and the Dragon, but I've no idea about the other which is probably the side with the biggest clue as St. George is fairly generic.

The previously unknown (to the general market) strip of 12 in this week's Spink sale was interesting. Makes you wonder what the longest strip was. If they were punched out off centre, then that's just shoddy workmanship. If the two sides are not aligned, then that's faulty minting equipment.

It certainly seems about that in my experience. Or more! But then, as Peter says, if I find a coin going cheap myself then if a fair market price is double or even 10x that and someone is happy to pay ... I don't mind dealers making a profit. None would be in business long if they didn't. But I do object to prices way beyond what things are worth! Of course, like any customer I have the option not to buy. But if it's a daft price and I want it I'll try to negotiate.... The above is fundamental to business. Any business has a known purchase cost, but an unknown selling price. You try to maximise the profit and if you can make 10x your cost price you're a happy man. Some you win, some you lose. As Richard says, nobody is compelled to buy a coin. A previous coin of mine was sold in Spink on Monday for £1K less than I sold it 5 years ago to a dealer, so somebody took a hit. I've sold things for less than I paid too. We all make 'mistakes'. Every coin is different, so that excludes the 'standard' price route - something the TPGs in the US try to manipulate with their price/slab grade policies.

Great example of a crap coin though .