Emperor Oli

Lol I doubt they were mocking them!

Nice and subtle there Geoff! The Shield back was a delightful change from the monotonous Pistrucci image but I also liked the Sovereign anniversary (500yrs?) ones that they minted with the huge rose - quite unexpected

Of course. That annoying little fellow, Michael Winner, did an article on wine. It was the time when a woman was outraged that the restaurant had charged her £800 for a bottle of wine on her anniversary meal or something like that. But oh no Michael Winner asked why she was complaining. He didn't seem to think it odd that she was charged £800 for a bottle. It's probably because he spends all his time in the rich bubble that he doesn't realise how much £800 is to an ordinary person.

Yeah when I said "Normal" I meant Proof

One of the reasons I didn't buy the 2003 one was the truly revolting packaging it's in (I suppose if one took it out then it would be ok). The marketers should be stoned

I am a prophet, I make big profits! Mwahaha. Touche, however if it's an upper-class restuarant with wine at £500 per bottle then I'm sure you can see the attraction!

Mmmmmm smoked beef

Eat slower -> Spend more time in restuarant -> Buy more food/drink -> Bigger tips -> Happy staff -> Bigger profits ->Bigger wage for boss!

I haven't got one but I was contemplating buying one. At first, I didn't know the difference between bullion ones and normal ones but then after emailing the Mint, they told me that normal sovereigns are struck three, maybe four times to give a better finish. Maybe you are comparing a bullion to a normal one and noticing the weakness of the bullion strike compared to the normal one?

Are you sure there are no official figures? If you wrote to the nice people at the Mint they may be able to help you out

Excellent, it's good to have a voice from across the pond! You'll notice we have a new prolific poster, william here - I think he's the only major new one in terms of posts

...and did you also know they play Pachelbel's Canon in restaurants to make people eat slower?

I thought he was a sheep at first but no william is a big fat friesian

Wow I thought you'd died

What's your view on tramps/vagants/the homeless, whatever you want to call them. I'm asking this because I've just returned from a jolly time in Manchester but when walking from Affleck's Palace I got accosted by this tramp. He was big and hairy and said "Hi I'm not a troublemaker, I'm homeless". So I just walked past him as you do but then he followed me and I was scared because I thought he would mug me or something. Luckily however, I dived into Harvey Nichols and the doorman wouldn't let him pass. So yeah what's your view?

Oooh he's elite - it like the fabled American Express Black card! Btw what's the criteria for becoming an expert?

In the words of a friend on seeing a girl in Manchester: "She has a face like a slapped arse"

Spiffing! I'll go when I have my next visit to the orthodontist << my teeth

Isn't it! Kudos to you for going in - I was forced the first time but now I love it! Some of the clientele are bizarre but I suppose that is one of the draws! I've never actually noticed D.C's coin shop - is it close?

Hehehe we have an "Old Boys" and an "Old Girls" club. All they do is sit around, drink gin and complain about the price of tea I think

Well prove me wrong! One could also use them to prop up tables

Ahh touche

You will get confused and it's good exercise!

Bingo

Aha I just posted that on another board.