Peckris

Very interesting items for anyone who collects them.

It would'nt be in my collection Peter Nor mine! Though I'd certainly find room for Peter's irony

It's a very rare coin by modern standards. If you've seen one go for £2700, then that's what one person was prepared to pay for one. The only thing against it is that it's a decimal coin, and - 20p mule aside - is the only well known decimal rarity, in a market that's dominated by over-priced Royal Mint issues and slashed-price secondary market decimals. I don't see Charles coming to the throne will make any difference to its value, and whether you keep hold of it depends entirely on your needs and wants. If you're a coin collector, £2,700 would buy you some very nice 20th Century items, or a smaller number of pre-20thC coins. I know what I'd do!

The 1903 and 1905 went west ages ago, can't afford to be a date collector! I wondered what you thought of the grade? Difficult. The reverse looks like it's unworn but definitely polished. The obverse looks less polished but has some rubbing so I'd say EF or GEF at best. So... GEF/UNC cleaned ? I still have so much to learn, I think I can spot cleaned and dipped (sometimes!) but not necessarily polished! I need more tell-tale signs to go by if anyone has them? EF/GEF, was my grading ... Yes, your grade is probably more realistic, though it's hard to spot any wear on the reverse. Quick guide to the difference between polishing and dipping : POLISHING - makes the coin artificially shiny, and reflective. (Do not confuse with lots of 19thC UNC early strikes where the FIELDS are highly reflective, but the DESIGN - while not frosted - isn't.) DIPPING - removes tarnish and other toning, but actually has the opposite effect to polishing - it makes the coin an overall dull appearance, i.e. as if no lustre is present (the chemical reaction probably removes lustre, in fact). Very brief dipping - such as Dave did on that ugly-toned 1913 halfcrown - can improve the look of a coin, but it has to be a few seconds only. A long dip makes it dull dull dull. Do also bear in mind that people use the term "dipping' in two different ways. Some mean any chemical that cleans, which includes stuff that can make a coin look polished. Others (as I do) mean "silver dip" which is a specific type of chemical compound, that always imparts the dullness I spoke of, if done to excess. That's brilliant Peck thanks! How about CLEANING? I always look for faint 'brush-strokes' but I don't know what else to look for? CLEANING is a generic term. Polishing and dipping are two very common types of cleaning, but also BUFFING (the gentle application of a Brillo pad ), RUBBING (over-enthusiastic use of a cloth), or the use of any surface-altering chemical would count as cleaning. Even soaking in olive oil to remove verdigris, or a quick dip in surgical spirit to remove grease or 'filming', would count as cleaning, but in those cases, would not have a detrimental effect.

That makes a certain amount of sense, especially if their research shows that buyers of gold are a much smaller market. Splits up the issues for most reigns though, which is a pity. I'd buy into a "Standard Catalogue Part I Roman to 1662" then "Part II 1663-1967". Those who collect hammered AND milled would buy both (as at present) but others could just buy the half they were interested in. There is a precedent of sorts - in 1968 Seaby published a catalogue of coins from 1816 onwards - unlike the main catalogue up until then, it carried values for every date, not just every type. Don't think this is quite right - what was promised in the foreword was a NEW book for gold, containing details of varieties, like ESC is for silver. They will split the standard catalogue into 2 books, predecimal and decimal. You will get less varieties in these books going forward as these will be listed in the updated ESC ( and the new "EGC"). Think this is major good news, as ESC is so out of date, and an "EGC" has been needed for years. Philip Please don't use that ugly abortion of a phrase "going forward" in my hearing ever again. However, I wonder what you mean by "less varieties in these books" as a Spink equivalent of ESC for gold would have no impact on the silver and base metal issues? Which Spink have been adding varieties for on a regular basis. And if there is to be a new ESC, it won't carry any values, so Spink will still need to include them in their catalogue to give the latest values especially if a new ESC stimulates interest in the market as it surely will. It would be totally artificial and a bit silly, if Spink were to cut out all the varieties of silver while keeping all the base metal varieties in place. The split of decimal and predecimal will result in two volumes, one of which will be about 1/20th the size of the other, or even smaller. On another level it makes sense, as the market for Royal Mint decimal issues (a money-spinning sideshow) is a completely different one to the "normal" one for proper coin collectors.

The 1903 and 1905 went west ages ago, can't afford to be a date collector! I wondered what you thought of the grade? Difficult. The reverse looks like it's unworn but definitely polished. The obverse looks less polished but has some rubbing so I'd say EF or GEF at best. So... GEF/UNC cleaned ? I still have so much to learn, I think I can spot cleaned and dipped (sometimes!) but not necessarily polished! I need more tell-tale signs to go by if anyone has them? EF/GEF, was my grading ... Yes, your grade is probably more realistic, though it's hard to spot any wear on the reverse. Quick guide to the difference between polishing and dipping : POLISHING - makes the coin artificially shiny, and reflective. (Do not confuse with lots of 19thC UNC early strikes where the FIELDS are highly reflective, but the DESIGN - while not frosted - isn't.) DIPPING - removes tarnish and other toning, but actually has the opposite effect to polishing - it makes the coin an overall dull appearance, i.e. as if no lustre is present (the chemical reaction probably removes lustre, in fact). Very brief dipping - such as Dave did on that ugly-toned 1913 halfcrown - can improve the look of a coin, but it has to be a few seconds only. A long dip makes it dull dull dull. Do also bear in mind that people use the term "dipping' in two different ways. Some mean any chemical that cleans, which includes stuff that can make a coin look polished. Others (as I do) mean "silver dip" which is a specific type of chemical compound, that always imparts the dullness I spoke of, if done to excess.

I do like 'em, I must admit. It's the only brass coin we've had, the only dodeca-sided coin, and a short run (1937 - 1967) with huge variation in mintages. Plus a mega-rare Eddie 8 pattern. What's not to like?

How does such a horrible scratch appear on BOTH sides?

The 1903 and 1905 went west ages ago, can't afford to be a date collector! I wondered what you thought of the grade? Difficult. The reverse looks like it's unworn but definitely polished. The obverse looks less polished but has some rubbing so I'd say EF or GEF at best. So... GEF/UNC cleaned ?

I was wondering the same thing. It would be like trying to work out how many 1953 plastic sets survive unbroken.

It is pretty much sorted chronologically, but within main design type, so all the Britannias are together, and all the 'lion on crowns', etc. Some reverses were recycled, the best known being the Victorian Jubilee Head florin, by George V. Once you know what the wear points are for that reverse, having the George V would be a little redundant. However, others suggest there is an index, or table of contents?

I made a date typo; it should be January 11th. The link, https://ssl.bowersandmerena.com/auctions/AuctionLots.aspx?AuctionID=179&SessionID=330, should take you there. Thanks Declan. No problem, Cathrine. No, that's a bog standard 1862 and it's got four little chunks out of the edge... It certainly is a bog standard 1862, plus verdigris. Who on earth would bid $900 without doing "due diligence"?

? Still not finding an auction for 13th January ?? PLEASE, post a LINK

A link would help. I just went to Stack's site and there are auctions on the 12th and 14th January but nothing for the 13th. Can someone please post a direct link not only to that auction, but the section with the mentioned coins in ?

A very odd festive season this year, my wife who has been in hospital over Xmas came home today Then this evening, i get news that my brother has just been admitted to hospital So sitting on my tod waiting for New Year - large Scotch at the ready! Happy New Year All David Hope everything is OK, David & Happy New Year again to you. My girl friend has rheumatoid arthritis, which sadly she developed 2 years ago, at the exceptionally early age of 31. So she isn't really fit enough for a night on the town. But it's not my scene and never has been. I've always preferred to stop in and watch the telly at New Year. The only time I did go out, we had to pay to get in the bloody pub, and it was one of those with a log fire, which I found myself backed onto and pretty much unable to move, spending hours trying to keep my arse from frying !!! IF that's the same thing that film star Kathleen Turner got (big "if"), she was improved several hundred % by a swimming regime she was put on. Edited to add: This, from Wikipedia: "1990s - slowed by disease Turner remained an A-list film star leading lady until the early 1990s, when rheumatoid arthritis seriously restricted her activities and her movie career went into rapid decline. Also, some of Turner's choices at that time proved to be poor – she turned down lead roles in 'Ghost' and 'The Bridges of Madison County', both of which became big hits. The arthritis diagnosis was made in 1992 after Turner had suffered "unbearable" pain for about a year. By the time she was diagnosed, she "could hardly turn her head or walk, and was told she would end up in a wheelchair."[3] As the disease worsened and the medication greatly altered Turner's looks, along with excess alcohol consumption that Turner said she used to kill her physical pain, her once promising film career as a leading lady took a nose dive and Turner was seen in fewer and fewer blockbusters — though Turner also blamed her age, stating that "when I was forty the roles started slowing down, I started getting offers to play mothers and grandmothers ..." She appeared in the low-budget House of Cards, experienced moderate success with John Waters's black comedy Serial Mom, and had supporting roles in A Simple Wish, The Real Blonde, and Sofia Coppola's acclaimed The Virgin Suicides. 2000s - remission Despite drug therapy to help her condition, the disease progressed for about eight years. Then, thanks to newly available treatments, her arthritis went into remission. She was seen increasingly on television, including three episodes of Friends, where she appeared as Chandler Bing's estranged, gay father, who works as a drag queen in Las Vegas. She also provided the voice of Malibu Stacy's creator, Stacy Lovell on the episode "Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy" on The Simpsons. She played a defense attorney on Law & Order. In 2006, Turner guest starred on FX's acclaimed Nip/Tuck, playing a phone sex operator in need of laryngeal surgery. She appeared in a small role in 2008's Marley & Me. In 2009, she played the role of Charlie Runkle's sexually hyperactive boss in Season 3 of the television series Californication."

If you Google "Humorous Amazon reviews" you will find loads more! There's one that even works in Paul Ross to his review

I doubt it - 53/52 makes sense, but 53/42 doesn't, really.

in time with The Wizard Of Oz?

Saw them three or four times in the early seventies at such venues as Earl's Court and the Finsbury Park Rainbow. Absolutely my favourite band for many years but think they lost it from The Wall onwards. I saw them three times : 1971 The Crystal Palace "Garden Party" 1972 The Lanchester Arts Festival 1975 Knebworth And a good time was had by all!

Ditto!

Not only worth acquiring - essential reading for beginners!

Until you decide what you want to specialise in, I would start by collecting by 'type' - as a beginner, perhaps you could start with one of each denomination of each major issue, in each reign. That's halfcrown down to farthing for Elizabeth 2 - 1953 (one year type, and very affordable), and then 1954-1967 ("BRITT OMN" omitted) to choose the other type from (or else buy the 1970 proof set and one BU farthing from 1954-56). George VI : 1949-1952 ("IND IMP" omitted - halfcrown to sixpence, brass 3d, penny to farthing) George VI : 1947-48 (silver replaced by cupro nickel - halfcrown to sixpence, brass 3d, penny to farthing) George VI : 1937-46 (50% silver - halfcrown to silver 3d, brass 3d, penny to farthing) George V : 1927-36 (last issue - halfcrown to silver 3d, penny to farthing) George V : 1920-1926 (50% silver - halfcrown to silver 3d, penny to farthing) George V : 1911-1919 (sterling silver - halfcrown to silver 3d, penny to farthing) That's a very simplified plan of course. The important thing is to buy only BU coins from 1937 so avoid scarce/rare dates for now. Before 1937, go for minimum EF and again, concentrate on the commoner issues. Buy and study two books first : the latest CCGB catalogue which has a wealth of extra information in, and Grading British Coins - both can be got by clicking in the banner advert above. You may never become a 'date run' collector, but if you do, make sure you know your subject and the series in question, before you begin. Good luck!

That would sure fool me! Any clues? It would fool most people! Looking closely at that, I would say one clue would be the Tyrannosaurus Rex head on the Scottish lion, and the 3 English sheep instead of leopards. But seriously, if you got that in change, you wouldn't look twice at it.

Personally I think it is 'Sellers beware' on eBay, tons of protection for buyers, and sellers dread negative feedback ... beware high grade coins without lots of hi-res pics, expensive historic coins without provenance, anything from China and certain other known replica exporting locations, and much more to be found on here. There are still bargains to be had for sure. I never thought of it that way. I think for the time being I'd rather stick with well known people away from eBay. Quite. It's both 'Sellers beware' and 'Buyers beware' on eBay - sellers suffer through fraudulent buyers claiming non-receipt etc, but buyers suffer through poorly-graded and even blatantly counterfeit items (about which eBay will do NOTHING), and shill bidders, who are supposedly illegal and against all eBay policies, terms and conditions.. but as we all know, it goes on. However, as others have said, there are plenty of good honest sellers who have some very nice coins for sale and will willingly refund you if you're not happy. Tom - hear, hear!

I can see a faint suspicion of a stop between the shoulder and the A - could be a filled die? There's a faint amount of wear on the shoulder, but it's certainly GEF I would say. Unfortunately, my Spink is 2005 and way out of date, but that gives £1500 in EF so I'd say it should be £2k - £2.5k by now, but with an added premium for its being so good. ---------------------------------------- Despite what Dave says, it's certainly possible to post good pictures here, even with a 150k per post limit. Use an image editor : 1. reduce the resolution to 72 ppi (you don't need more than that on a computer screen) 2. reduce the size to around - e.g. - 600 pixels square (pictures don't need to be the size of dinner plates, just a few times larger than lifesize) 3. save as a JPEG and compress it to medium quality at best (it won't deteriorate after one edit/save) - the result should easily be within the 150k limit. Actually, your Photobucket image is only 300 pixels square, and when I brought it into Adobe Elements and saved it as a medium JPEG, the file size was 48k!! In other words, you've got plenty of room to work with. (Chris P - if I do a full post on how to do this, can you put it as a 'sticky' in one of the forums?)