Rob

Sorry, brain in neutral, it's a 1 not 3 ore. Everything else applies.

Very good Mint Mark. It's a 3 ore from Sweden. ref KM253.1, mintage just over 12 million and gives values of VG $1, Fine $2.25, VF $8.00 and XF $40

Davies only notes that the two may be distinguished by checking the "ring" by quote "placing the coin on finger tip and gently tap with a pencil. A low note indicates sterling silver and a higher one debased silver". He also notes the finish on the 0.500 silver is dull, so a comparison of a pre 1920 sixpence with a 1920 piece could also indicate which variety it is, but this would only work for a mint state example. I would also add that the debased one may have traces of verdigris being 50% copper. Hopefully not, but it does help the I D.

No. It can't migrate from one coin to another because it isn't alive. The first coin to suffer does so because the storage conditions aren't ideal and it is the least protected for what ever reason be it surface deposit or in an area of the cabinet with a greater temperature differential. The root cause is the environment the coins are stored in.

It isn't mobile as such, it's just oxidation of the copper as a result of a humid atmosphere and will affect all copper similarly. Different rates of oxidation between coins are probably down to variations in surface contamination in the toning/crud/whatever is on the surface. Just make sure the collection is kept in a dry and preferably constant temperature environment as this will ensure no condensation can occur on the coins which will enhance oxidation.

Yes

So where does this leave me? I want a society where government money spent is used in an effective manner for the majority with a fair share spent on all. This is inclusive because everyone needs something provided by the state, but not necessarily the same thing as the person next door. At present, disproportionate amounts appear to be spent on those sections of society who reject any notion of working for the common good ie. society, yet are first in the queue for handouts from the very people they stick two fingers up to. Society isn't something you can opt into and out of. However, if you take the view that being a member of society is an optional thing, then what remains of society (the vast majority of this country) should have the right to reject those working against the majority. This is not the exclusive ideology you allude to but an inclusive one. The exclusion is currently the preserve of our current government who rake in excessive amounts of taxpayers' money to pee against the metaphorical wall. All we can do is hope it's our wall they use.

The 4d or groat was last issued in 1888 as a currency coin, however, they were also issued as maundy money throughout the reign and are still issued each year. You can easily tell the difference between the two issues. The currency coin has a seated Britannia on the reverse with FOUR PENCE to either side and the date in the exergue whilst the maundy money has the number 4 on the reverse with the date split either side of the 4. Value will depend on grade, but it is not a rare year, so even with a perfect example you would still be looking at a value of less than £100 (currency) or £25 (maundy) or more likely a couple of quid if worn to any extent.

I've always assumed that the different shaped letters were a result of the mint or mints purchasing letter punches from different sources. The fact that Heatons do not have this variation found on the Tower mint pieces lends credence to this theory. I have always assumed that they would be bought in items, but even if they made the letter punches in house, there would still be a number of individuals working in this area, so individual characteristic flourishes should be identifiable

Colin Cooke mentioned in passing a couple years ago that he used to keep some coins in the bank. Conditions were not ideal in this particular branch and he returned to them later to find that some base metal had degraded. Any collectors thinking of using a safe deposit facility should consider this. Silver and gold should be OK.

Expand into gold and you will really need the insurance, even for the 20th century only. There's more than a couple rare sovereigns to break the bank.

I'm sure he will accept any method of payment. Get him to do a swap for your duplicates. 1 million 1967 pennies should just about cover it.

The former is decidedly uncommon. The Adams penny collection didn't contain one which suggests the R9 rarity given by Freeman may be a bit out.

If I were you, I would make sure I had read all I could about guineas before buying anything. Some of the gaming counters have only one or two letters different to a genuine guinea legend, but then may have an incorrect date. Better still, take someone with you who knows something about both items if possible. Caveat emptor.

That doesn't make sense. If he is selling things worth pence for a quid and he knows what they are and their value, why would he sell something worth £60 for £12? I'd be suspicious, because gold is frequently traded by the general populace, gaming counters are not.

If they are genuine guineas then that is a no brainer. The scrap gold content is worth a lot more than £12, even with a reduction in weight for the hole. It's always good policy to buy £10 notes for £5.

More likely eBay taking a leaf out of the book of its customers and putting the decimal point in the wrong place. £8.30 would have been more appropriate.

And there is also a 1675/3 no obverse stops about, similarly unrecorded. Another person on this forum can advise on that if they like as they beat me to it.

I'm struggling to locate any BU examples of the three rare varieties and specifically the 4+C where I am having difficulty finding any at all. Value....?

I always assume they are not unless I know the seller. It's like most of the proofs you get. I was once informed that a coin was definitely a proof "coz it's really shinny" (their spelling not mine). Most coin descriptions on ebay tend towards the most expensive variety and grade. Clearly a case of if you don't have a clue, play it up.

In which case it probably isn't a proof. ESC393M has a rarity of R4 (est. 11-20 examples) and specifically says frosted design and highly polished fields. The frosted design will be the key as without proof-like and proof of the same design side by side it is likely to be difficult to tell unless you know what to look for and there was a similar thread a few months ago on this general topic involving a George VI proof (?).

Yes. We split the difference between what I wanted and what she wanted to let me spend (ie I got half what Iasked for!!) I too have been informed that I will not be spending so much this year

Very sound advice, particularly if you are on a tight budget. As a complete date nut, i can't argue with any of that. If date collecting is your thing (like me), then you're in trouble. It gets worse if you collect by Peck, Freeman, ESC, Davies et al numbers

Very sound advice, particularly if you are on a tight budget.

I think we all have the same problem. The solution of course is to inform her that you intend spending 5 times more than you actually do/can. She informs you that you can spend to a certain limit, then you have a row and you back down so that when you only spend twice the amount you can actually afford or think wise you earn lots of brownie points for your restraint. Then she who must be obeyed may even raise her limit as a bonus.