davidrj

I've been collecting 50p & £2 from change too (can't be bothered with the rest), but quite a few gaps - what value bags do the banks issue these in?

Both correct, but "climate change" is a better term to use - a rise in planetary temperature does not mean everywhere gets warmer More energy in the atmosphere leads to a more dynamic system - basically the world is likely to get more interesting weather

Interesting map of all the countries where we have put boots on the ground over the centuries - much easier to start a collection from places we haven't been too Surprised we never made it to Sweden

Mine came in the post today

Everything I win on Ebay is via a snipe bid 6 secs before the end So I don't look at "ending soonest", I rely on "Newly listed" - anything I snipe I put on my watch list

My Uncle Eddie was gassed, suffered disabling chronic bronchitis all his life (he died about 1960)

they re-used this one from the Directoire (1795-1801)

a happy and prosperous new year to all

Interesting toning pattern, ??? due to a change in the molecular structure next to areas of maximum pressure ?

True! The lack of coins and the return to a barter economy, has been postulated for the demise of towns after the Romans left

I agree Dave, trouble is they would f*ck it up! Look what the French have done to Roty's beautiful Sower

I don't use cash much these days, using plastic in the supermarket and my pass on the bus - so I still have lots of gaps in my collection of £2 coins, buying them is just not the same as finding them in change. Should add, I like £2 coins - the only decimal issues that feel like proper money to an old fogey like me

Couldn't agree more Peck

sorry thought that was the full report budget is complex - the wikipedia page shows comparison of our contributions

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/good-to-share/10536199/The-best-way-to-ensure-you-get-a-parking-space-for-the-sales.html?fb nb sound is in Chinese, but that doesn't matter - just watch and marvel at the ingenuirty!

So the top grade for any coin, currency or proof, should be As Struck - grading points should then be subtracted for weak strike, wear, ugly toning etc

I'm sure special dies were not created for the 20thC VIP proofs, more likely first strikes on prepared flans and PROOF is NOT A GRADE - grade by definition is a measure of wear

Well that is what is I hoped someone would say, otherwise what is the point of a 1-100 scale if only the top grades can be achieved by proof coins, while proof is not a grade?Does anyone have an example of a non-proof CGS 'fdc' coin? Still feels like a bit of an oxymoron ... Edit: our posts crossed Nick, do you have a take as to how an fdc description can apply to a non-proof coin? I would only use FDC in respect of a proof coin myself, and would use 'mint state' or 'as struck' for a top drawer currency example. trouble is there is no hard and fast definition of a proof, in general UK coins dont bear a mark such as "essai" Not all proofs are frosted designs on mirror fields - currency strikes on polished dies, proffs on matt dies - there are threads on here re high quality "proof like" bun pennies

??? most likely by folk who handled a lot of coins - a slivver of silver from the one coin you saw in 12 months would have no market

Non proof first strikes could be FDC by definition

Audit report

pattern 2 cents 1857 and a pattern 5 cents 1857 both way beyond my budget!

FDC = "Fleur de Coin", translates as "Flower of the Die" and should only be used for first strikes from new dies - aFDC is nonsense

Thanks

Manx , Isle of Man coins Mals - Isle of Man. Thanks to geoffhobson