Coinery

That's one of the beauties of collecting coins, unlike some hobbies I can think of such as golf or footie and horse riding! However not so good if every coin that you collect is unique! You can sell horses... Ask Findus!

I really struggle with upgrades! Near impossible most times for me to make a decision between hammered improvements as, in most cases, the replacement coin, never being perfect, will be lesser in some component of the legend or bust...nightmare, as I always feel like keeping the old coin just for the perfect IZA in Elizabeth! I really, really, struggle with modern stuff (G5/G6), as then it comes down to minute spots, Christ, a rolled two of Colin's 1942 farthings around in my fingers for hours, trying to decide which was the most perfect...I probably missed an amazing Liz or bargain UNC halfcrown of G5 on the 'bay, while I was doing that, NIGHTMARE!

Sounds like a great idea. My site is really rough and ready behind the scenes, without even using CSS (style sheets). Given a bit more time I would have used these too, though. It really is a great book, and the website a fantastic resource too! Your site's great as-is! I'm regularly on it, checking out how any given coin SHOULD look!

Colin, If you have enough intelligence to navigate your way around a computer, drive a car, and read a book, you're home and dry! There is a book that talks you through the entire process of building your own website the PROPER way, using html & CSS, absolutely fantastic, and actually great fun to follow! The book is by Sitepoint and called 'build your own website the right way, using HTML and CSS,' it's by a true star, Ian Lloyd! You can visit the Sitepoint website (.com) and download a couple of the chapters for free, just to see if it floats your boat! His book is a bit like building a jigsaw puzzle, you can fill in a couple of bits, and then come back to it a couple of days later! You'll love it!

Internet was down!

You knew it was 1927 all the time, didn't you Stuart ? Just joshing with us to see who was on the ball........ I have to confess I was on the ayePhone again, and couldn't actually make out the numerals! I did go to the trouble of opening up Freeman & Peck with beating heart, wondering whether I'd missed some massive mint error or something! Whoops!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GEORGE-V-HALF-PENNY-1937-UNC-PERFECT-/130844246062?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=%252FHMnjTJ5wXGhLRSEl4GpXbwVbwA%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Have you got one, or do you want one. I can't seem to find one listed anywhere...spink, freeman, peck? Am I missing a few pages?

Anyone enlighten me? A G5 HP with Britannia reverse dated 1937?

Well, I was thinking one of two things when I wrote the above; that I was either an employee of a TPGC or had my tongue in my cheek! Edit: I think you'll find the small curls that fall in front the forehead, and the proximal end of the topmost ribbon has AEF Details! I feel certain that this was what he was referring to! (Really big winky eye)!

One day it'll probably be a rare error, like "RRITANNIAR" Or even an NCG for NGC error!

I'll bet there is somebody out there who collects slab errors! Could be worth a fortune the day there are two of them out there (collectors of slab errors, that is!)!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251210589130?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D251210589130%26_rdc%3D1 Indeed so! AEF 'details' gentlemen, DETAILS!

I know it's a really complex problem, but I really can't seem to move from the standpoint that, whether the kids are Asian, Afghan, or my own son, they are, at the end of the day, just children and, whilst I want the very best for my own son, I would really struggle not to share his privileges with any other child I was aware of! I would definitely have a big struggle on, not to sacrifice my own well-being for a suffering child, if that situation was put directly before me!

ALL the variants look nearly identical to the above picture! The differences are minuscule...down to a bit of open lace in the veil, an 'I' of Victoria pointing to a gap in the beads, etc. etc. Could be worth a picture?

There has been a big increase in copy/fake Elizabeth Coins on eBay this last 2 months. Namely, the groat we all know about here (and this is the most glaring one I've seen): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Elizabeth-I-Groat-/321065195631?pt=UK_Coins_BritishHammered_RL&hash=item4ac0fa186f Plus 1566 sixpences, and the 1562 threepence (which again is a common, and well known copy).

No phallus or genitalia of any description, what on earth happened there!

Sorry to hear that But if it's been in your family that long, it should be ok. Your best bet is to put it in an auction rather than accept (at most) 2/3 of its value from a dealer. Unless you need the money quick, of course. You'll lose up to 20% in an auction, don't forget!

Many happy returns of the day, peops!

Sorry to press on details, but are we talking about there being a damaging acetone 'residue' left behind on the coin (if acetone does leave residue, that is) after evaporation, or are we talking about the long term soaks in acetone that one occasionally reads about?

The acid is oleic acid, and very mild. It doesn't combine with other acids, which is why oil and vinegar always separate (or maybe the acid is bonded into the oil in such a way that while an oil, it doesn't behave like an acid?) So, perhaps it gets a chance to work as an acid, at the point when the oil goes off and starts to break down into its more basic chemical forms?

I guess, there is also another factor, and that is... What does the acid component of Olive Oil become once any micro-smear on the coin has reacted with the coin's surface, and thus attained a new chemical property? I'm tending towards more towards NO oil for Big-Lustred coins, maybe only using it to 'cheer up' already toned coins, though the jury is still out for me on that one. Although, if VS has reported changes in Olive-Oiled 20th century bronzes, then maybe there's nothing left to debate on the matter!

Another good point! So, what happens chemically when olive oil goes off? Is it a danger to coins at that point? Certainly smells different when very old, so what happens? Also, when I talk about 'flips' in the above, I'm referring to the glued shut 2x2's with the circular plastic windows in them.

Spot on, Declan, I'm from the same mould! Also, as Rob said, it's also about a stab at what you think you can get for a coin because, hobbiest or business man, most of us are hoping to buy something else with the released funds! I actually like Spink's book because I physically can't remember everything about everything I see. However, Spink's takes it's prices from hopefully a lot of different sales, which will have included an infinite amount of coin faults. To clarify the complexity of value, I have a BU 1936 penny which I'm really pleased with and can't conceive of bettering, however, I also have a beautiful, luminous, burgundy-toned '36 which, I couldn't value less! Also, I have three different elizabeth I 3d's, which fall under the same spink number, but one is around 6 x rarer than the others, and would sell well above the spink price guide...that's what you're up against! Enjoy!