Emperor Oli

Lovely piece of gold and in far better condition than I anticipated. But then again, I'm useless with hammered!

I just rejiggled the link The counterstamps, to lead on from Sylvester's point, are either ovular or octagonal and are graded separately to the coin itself.

If you scour eBay, you may be even to find a standard proof or brilliant uncirculated set produced by the Royal Mint, although I'm not sure if they made them at that time. In them, you'll find all the general coins issued for circulation that year (not gold, maundy, etc.)

George IV designed his own coronation crown with the emblems of the United Kingdom on it (Shamrock, Rose and Thistle) encrusted in diamonds. However, he wasn't allowed to use it as it was thought too effeminate at the time.

Congratulations

I'm afraid it devalues in significantly. Is it a stamp or etched in with something sharp, like a knife? Some coins etched with a knife are graffiti pieces, perhaps mocking the King etc.

Basically the same!? Yes, they are all men - that's where the similarity ends!

I like uncirculated coins, that's the grade that you really should be aiming for in my opinion. They show the full complexity of the design and the skill of the engraver to extraordinary effect. However, they don't have the same feel as a coin which has been circulated. It all depends on how you want to collect; if you want beauty, uncirculated is excellent. I don't like low grade coins, I try to buy in as high a condition as I can afford. I also can't see what many other members see in low grade coins - some say they have a "history" of being used, but then again, so does every coin not in a case.

About 50p, but in perfect condition around £2

I used to collect farthings too! I have knowledge It's very nice but it's got a while to run so the price could leap.

That link is for an 1817 coin, but the title is 1826. The link coin is nice though, a solid VF - possibly even GVF.

Nostradamus is a silly old coot who just has coincidence, or stretching of his "prophecies" on his side.

I did one of those ages ago until we all found faults in it

I thought that but if you have no reference to look them up, what's the point in doing it?

Why do you want the Peck numbers if you don't have a copy of the book?

Ah my family originates in Lancashire, not Manchester. My family tree was traced back until 14 something so we've been around here for quite a while!

I'm not too keen on the first letters being lighter than the others but it's a promising draft!

Pedigree, like the dog food

I don't think it needs "edition" - it's pretty obvious that it's the 2005 edition if it says 2005 on the cover.

I'd hardly call it an easy lifestyle. Chris puts in loads of time to improving the website, dealing with Rotographic, putting the book together in .pdf, replying to peoples' queries, valuing coins, selling coins, doing his radio slot and countless more things besides. I think Chris has a very hard and taxing lifestyle, but executes his tasks tremendously well.

That's a coincidence - my Dad's called Peter Kenyon

I trust eBay on the whole. The majority of coins aren't in fact described incorrectly or falsely in my opinion. It doesn't even matter what the description is, as long as it is accompanied by a fairly good scan or picture. Many dealers sell on eBay, Chris and Colin Cooke for example, and many others like Lockdale's or Spink's. I'm not saying that eBay is a coin paradise, but the majority of people who sell coins on it are genuine, and give ample descriptions and scans. I think that caution needs to be exercised, as with any purchase. Caveat emptor, as the saying goes.

Hi all I received my free copy of Coincraft's magazine, "The Phoenix", today. Utter, utter rubbish. On page 2, they say that the last predecimal coin was struck in 1967, yet on the next page, they are selling a 1970 predecimal proof set . Also for every order over £50, as their "way of saying 'thank you'", they are offering a Churchill Crown! WOW! Then, they have the gaul to say that "I have seen this coin in the National Press for £9.95, which is outrageous, we charge £2.95." As if Coincraft's prices aren't extortionate... They sell a "Scarce 1997 BU set". Now this isn't the one issued by the Mint, but coins handpicked from circulation. I thought that to attain BU condition, a coin had to have absolutely no bagmarks, scratches, or any other imperfections. Surely coins from circulation would have these defects? Coincraft are also selling QE2 BU pennies. You can get eight different ones for £4.95! They start off that piece by saying "You know sometimes the coins that you think are the most common are, in fact, difficult to obtain. One such coin in question is the One Pence coin." Isn't it the one pennycoin? Needless to say, I won't be requesting another copy, I cancelled my subscription about an hour after I had received the catalogue.

Well I just got back from London and all I can say is VISIT THE BANK OF ENGLAND! The Bank has to be the highlight of my trip. You go in the side entrance off Threadneedle Street (Bartholomew Lane I think) and then into the gallery. It's a mock-up of the Bank's 17th/18th century Stocks room and has lots of display cabinets around with things like weighing scales, books, purses etc. Around the edge is a tour of the architecture of the Bank through the centuries. In one case were two Five guinea pieces from Charles II and James II which started me going just looking at them! Going through to the next room, they have the charters of William & Mary which are works of art in themselves. Passing through this, one emerges in the rotunda. In the middle, in a glass case, is a pile of gold bullion. Just sitting there. With one geriatric guard to protect it. Hmph! Around the edge in cabinets were exhibits focusing mainly on notes, indeed there is one whole room devoted to them. Also on show is some of the Bank's splendid silver - candlesticks and the like. After you've been through the rotunda, or around it should I say, you reenter in the Stocks room. This part, however, is blocked off from the rest by some small screens. In some nondescript cases at the side was every denomination (bar Maundy money and the odd ones like octarinos) of coin issued since Queen Anne! They had everything - the 1826 £5 proof, Una and the Lion - all in great condition. I think most of them were proofs. Hardly any explanation of them was given and I thought it quite a shame. But still, I was definitely impressed and urge anyone who likes coins and money in general to visit it. Nearest station is Bank, quite obviously.

Great Britain has won a Gold in white water rafting... Two men in a white van in Cornwall