Emperor Oli

That Roman would be our King William IV. It is indeed a four pence, although more commonly called a groat. Value depends on condition, but average circulation would probably put it at around £10. I can't value the gold as I sold my other books and I only have Collector's Coins at the minute I'd reckon around bullion value, but again it depends on condition. Edit: Translation - William IV By the Grace of God King of the Britons and Defender of the Faith.

I took a look at these maundy coins and the holing on the two left ones (when showing reverse) seems rather odd as it actually punches the perimeter of the coin, thus in my view rendering it useless to thread onto a chain! Also, how unsightly is the George III one - chunk of his chin is missing. Mutilated coins, but I may be inclined to bid just to hve them as pocket pieces if the price stays as it in. Unlikely with week to go, but I can always hope

I don't think so. I think it's just nice to carry say a holed coin or a worn piece of gold around with you - no other reason!

I would say there are two types of collector - the investor and the true collector. One collects for the money they will make reselling a coin, the other for perhaps the history, or design. I'd say I'm most definitely a collector, but would like my coins to make me a profit if I sold them, fairly obviously. I had always dabbled with collecting since a young age when my great-grandfather gave me a collection of wartime European coins, from when he was in the army. He built the "Bailey Bridges" across North Africa, Italy, and all of Europe, so there was a heckuva lot of scope. He also had banknotes which I also liked, but not half as much as the coins. When I started buying coins, I started making random purchases of anything which caught my eye for under book price. In this phase, I bought such diverse things as a Cartwheel penny, George II shilling, Victoria Double Florin, and an early Victoria Penny. Afterwards though, I realised my collection had no direction, so I started to concentrate on farthings. Whilst plodding my way through this series, verdigris appeared on some other copper-alloyed coins, so I had no choice to sell my farthings, to Chris of all people . After that I was at a loss as to what to collect. Sylvester suggested half-sovereigns, I thought perhaps maundy money. But I had always had a penchant for George IV coinage, and so embarked somewhat ambitiously on an 1826 set. So far, I only have the shilling (!) but I am immensely proud of it. I'm reappraising maundy money and I really really really want a James II set Unfrotunately, the only way I can complete my George IV set is with the copper coins (and thego,d of course which is highly unlikely) so I may have to resort to buying *shock horror* slabbed coins.

Don't call them scrap cause it's not what they are.

Most of the coins are not scrap! Scrap means no collecting value (i.e fine condition minus). The majority of the coins are above this, and so have some collectable value.

As long as there are decent high-res scans of the coin, and the seller's feedback is good, you'll be ok. There are some lunatics on eBay who think that just because a coin is old (in their mind pre-decimalisation) it must be worth a fortune, or because their grandfather game it to them, similarly, it must also be worth a chunk of money. If one has any experience in collecting, one will be able to spot the dunces straight off. However, the genuine sellers far outweigh these. A website you might like to try is Fatfingers. It searchs for misspellings on eBay an other auction sites. I've picked up once when the seller listed a George III coin as "Goerge 111" and buried it in the wrongcatagory so nobody could find it.

On some George IV coins, his name is displayed in the legend as either "Georgius IIII" or "Georgius IV". I thought the latter was correct, so why do some use the former?

Mine's Thomas.

My Dad wanted to name me Felix which I would've preferred

My best friend's middle name is Zantemoor, after his grandfather.

If it were me, I would spend it.

Yes, it's illegal. Seeing as you're in America, I don't see quite how it can be put back into circulation. Keep it!

Browsing USA coins on eBay I came across this monstrosity. Which mint makes this trash? From a numismatical point of view, the colourisation looks rubbish and the engraving is lacking, but from a normal point of view the motto "Let's Roll" just seems to make the event seem like some kind of movie and cheapens the whole thing immensely.

Nope, although the sale of my 2004 issue pays for the new one! Try Waterstones, in the Antiques & Collectables.

Proof isn't technically a grade, it's the method of striking - that is, with polished dies and blanks.

A big music store. I have no idea, really. You could write to BA...

The Flower Duet by Leo Delibes I think.

Engraving is still done by hand. Indeed, the Royal Mint's annual report for the last year showed on its first page a huge picture of the engraver engraving (for want of a better word) the design out in what looked to be clay. Perhaps the dies are computerised, but the base design certainly isn't.

The detail on farthing B's Britannia, especially the torso, is quite amazing. I would also agree with Chris' verdict.

Any pics?

That's one thing I'm vehemently opposed to - the UK Mint's marketing of "gifts". I can tolerate the commemorative coins but when the pottery wrens come out, along with, as you say, the coin keyrings, I think exploiting the most tenuous links to the coin world is plain degrading. Perhaps if they have some historical significance like the tankards with shillings in the base, then I can understand it. However, the silver bookmarks, certificate holders, the endless jewellery with sovereigns mounted in gaudy settings, the bar sets are taking it a step too far.

I've just seen the new coins to be minted for 2005 from the Royal Mint and they are far, far better than last year! Firstly, there is a 50p coin to commemorate the printing of Samuel Johnson's first English language dictionary. On the reverse it has "Fifty" and "Pence" as written in a dictionary (FI'FTY. adj. PENCE. n. etc). Secondly, there is the next in the £1 coin series - the Menai Straits brisge designed by architect Thomas Telford. It's another bridge - I'm not too fond of this series. Finally, there is a superb £2 commemorating the Gunpowder Plot. It has on the reverse the mace, crosier and sword, presumably to represent the survival of the monarcy. I'll try to find some photos but don't hold your breath

If anyone wants Spink 2004 and/or the Coin Yearbook 2004, buy mine!

Bidding has doubled on Spink in the space of half and hour!! I was only expecting £12 at the most