VickySilver

I, for one, do not believe the collector base is expanding; quite the opposite & we see even rarer dates in lesser condition to languish at mere fractions of their higher grade brethren of the same date and type. Also, am of the opinion that the so-called bottom dweller coins are staying just there, with the middle bits subsiding. High-enders either go higher and higher, or in a few cases appear to be languishing in comparison to their highs.

No doubt. I think another interesting bit relating back to the SG/Baldwin's discussion is that Baldwin had (or has?) an investment program, whereby coins are stashed away by them as purchased by some sort of fund they created themselves. What has become of this particular fund?

Who is buying coins such as ANY of these three crowns? I love Victorians absolutely but just can not see how the crown (1839) is worth half that amount. A bit sad to see collectors likely being chased away....

Interesting points there, Rob. I don't see a lot in my area anymore, partly because I have nearly all the bits I have targeted, and partly because the prices of what I lack are absolutely astronomical and I refuse to pay the prices - just trying for the occasional bit. Wonder if that is how others are?

Think that might be a protective rumour as they found one of the 1864s just recently, allegedly by moving furniture about - somebody "back in the day" having dropped it behind a desk, and LEAVING it there.... A friend not so long ago was promised a tour of that famous basement, and that offer rescinded at the last moment...

True the above. They may be isolating themselves from the ordinary collector & that is just how they've been for such a very long time. Still the place has a bit of aura & mystery - who wouldn't like to have a look around their famous basement?

Hi Bob, bit interesting that he (Steve) has related that to you. Baldwin's has had some of the very rarest copper bits ever seen in the latter milled series incl. the 1860 copper farthing and halfpennies, 1864 COPPER "patterns" (plural), 1877 proof farthings, 1933 pennies, the 1952 proof penny....

Uh, no, not for me either. Bit of gold, milled silver not so great, not seeing coppers...

Yes, nice bit there. I think most ancient have been cleaned to some degree. Not sure but looks like it may have been in water for some while with a bit of porosity there.

I seem to recall there being some on a regular basis on the older SNC. Hate to use the word cleaned in this case - dipped possibly more likely IMHO.

Spink NY just had a sale of pennies this morning and must say that I was surprised by some of the prices fetched for some very nice pieces, particularly in the bunhead series. The 1882 London penny went for 21k USD plus commission, the 1869 4.2, the 1871 1.6, the 1875H 1.6k USD. I thought these prices a bit low for what evidently were prime pieces, supposedly not photographed well.... Anybody with success?

Ha ha, well that would put them in front of the Royal Mint!!

Rob, is that just my eyesight or is that a bit of metal extending above the top loop of the 8? These two look a bit different and diff. type of overdate perhaps??

In the meanwhile, to quote Forrest Gump: "Run, Forrest, run"!

Ha ha, good one....North Carolina through New Jersey/New York, meant to say.

I concur with the above comments. I know there are several collectors in the mid-Atlantic, but they are a bit reclusive and might only be "lured" by really rare and / or choice bits. Since it has not directly been mentioned, and at the risk of repeating what you already know, then the following by date in better than VF would be of more interest: 1864 (both types), 1867, 1868, 1869, 1871, 1875H, 1882 London ( no "H", and would be likely OK in a much lesser state), 1918H & KN, 1919 H & KN, 1926ME.

Keep that enthusiasm! More pictures, please....

Well, still have to find the buyer side to complement the demand side of the supply-demand curve. I suspect this aspect lags....

Ah, just so much healthy food! I do remember getting tacos at Taco Bell when they first opened in the late '60s for 19 cents.

There have been other threads 'cross the pond - Taco Bell Restaurant napkins that have a bit of sulfur in them have been used to great effect...

That coin was one to truly drool over and by far the nicest I have ever seen. Would that I had the cash & likely rue the day - I believe as Rob suggested that this could readily be a 30 or even possibly a 50k quid coin, not 21k DOLLARS. Perhaps he might find the SNC that had the article and picture of either this coin or one very similar to it??? Wonder where it ended up. IMO, blows those stupid narrow dates out of the water for importance and likely rarity as well....

The New York office.

The young lady answering the phone was quite rude as well - I attempted to leave phone bids and SHE WOULD NOT DO IT! And furthermore lied about how far along the auction was, stating it was finished when it was not. I was annoyed to say the least. I either did or did not win one coin, and still don't know as she would not help out on a followup call either, this despite me being quite pleasant and patient. BTW, I discovered the auction by looking at the upcoming auctions & was looking to see if there was anything (!NOT!) in their London auction next week.

No expert in import/export laws but there were def. UK dealers there in New York. Also I have had NO problems sending coins back and forth across the Atlantic. My points in raising the topic were: - interesting news in what some top quality coins brought at what many might think is a major venue - what it may say about the state of bun head pennies and possibly later milled English coins - that it may demonstrate a possible opportunity for collectors to extend their vigilance to overseas auctions

These coins were from the collection of one Gerald Jackson from the Southeast US. These coins, as I understand were from the Halcion days of Spink from the late '70s or early '80s through at least the '90s. I once saw the 1882 in an SNC, not for sale but an article on it and this was about 1982 or so....