Coinery

With cleaned anything, it really depends on the original grade of the coin! A coin in a grade that should be blessed with a high degree of original mint lustre, will be ruined if the cleaning has removed that, no matter how nicely it tones back! Whereas, if the coin is in a grade where the lustre has long since disappeared, but should now be nicely oxidised, you can just about tolerate a past 'non-hairlining' clean, provided it's nicely retoning, or you are happy to nurse it back to tolerance yourself! I've recently learnt a few things about dipping silver: 1) if you want to learn how to spot dipped coins, dip a selection of junk coins yourself and study the effects! Even the lightest dip can wave a flag at you then! 2) make sure if you are dipping for best effect on lustred coins, that the 'black' you are hoping to remove is sat ON the lustre, and not gobbled through to the silver beneath! Get your loupes out! 3) don't waste your time dipping lower grade coins, except to understand point 1, it never looks right! 4) in my opinion, the only benefit of dipping is for use on atrociously toned coins, where you are feeling happy about patiently waiting for a subsiquent and 'hopefully' eye-pleasing retone, or where you are wanting to remove grime from a full-lustre coin! 5) No, no, no! Caution, caution, caution! Luck, luck, luck!

Absolutely, Peck, I've always liked them, and they are a nice starter collection for the budding numismatist. Not too many years (31), no complex varieties, but sufficient mix of common and rare/scarce in high grade, to make assembling the collection interesting. Plus two attractive designs. Brass threepences seem especially vulnerable to verdigris. So, as has been asked numerous times, I know, but what do you all do with your modern lustred brass and copper? Is an acetone rinse and an olive-oil smear a good or a bad thing? Has anyone ever kept these coins long-term this way? Has anyone noticed any changes in appearance over a long period?

It's a CGS slab, and the seller's name contains 'lockett'. Far be it from me to start a conspiracy theory, but ... Sellers address is Longfield Kent. Gill Lockett. Does Stink a little though email gill@londoncoins.etc. I think that confirms! I always wondered who slabbed coins worth less than the cost of slabbing!

I've just been looking at some G6 proof coins on the Heritage website, dated 1939. I can't find any proof coins for this year in Spinks, can anyone clear this up for me?

Do you think that's a 4 under your 5 too?

Is that typical for the 2 to sit so high on the die? Here's a picture of a typical 1852 sixpence which seems to match up pretty well with what I believe is the remains of the 2. I'd say you're very much right, I'd certainly be 100% happy with that as a 3/2 if I were holding it in my collection! Nice New Year variety, Nick, well done!

Is that typical for the 2 to sit so high on the die?

Well, same as, chaps AND chappets! Happy New Year!

Bugger, classic example, I forgot M Gouby (remind me of his numismatic status again?)! Happy New Year, Paul (I may have wished you that already)! Time for a sharp exit, me thinks! And Declan who often has plenty of very high grade 20th century pre-decimal on the bay And you forgot Bob as well! Although I can sort of forgive you because he is mainly a Penny man and I know that doesn't float your boat Stuart! Yes, sorry, Bob! That is the problem when you adhoc on a bottle of whiskey! I think I'm going to knock up a word document in the future for occasions such as these!

Elizabeth 6d 281030455548 What do you think, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole? If it stays cheap enough, I will buy it to find out!

I never considered this before, so maybe it's also about personality, then? As I would never have got very far if, after 4 years of collecting, my collection was still only 4 coins in size and, due to my lack of experience, already half my collection were not my best buys! I do think that driving a few old bangers around first, before buying that Ferrari, can only be a good thing!

Bugger, classic example, I forgot M Gouby (remind me of his numismatic status again?)! Happy New Year, Paul (I may have wished you that already)! Time for a sharp exit, me thinks!

Aye (With one eye, that is) ! Happy New Year, Declan!

Google the names provided, and you'll find them all online with sites!

Staggering study, seuk! I have to say, the sheer number of Ob's & Rev's is enough to put me off the G3 silver forever! I guess the only consolation, excepting your 2012 image, is that most of the contemporary counterfeits are looking a little the worse for wear in 2013, and thank God for that! Happy New Year, seuk, and thanks for all you've added to my understanding of counterfeits this year!

I have to agree with you based upon that image! I recently had a supposed 'no stop after DEI' 1700 shilling (the thread's on here), which turned out to be a blocked die (which Spink's accepted, and proposed a change to the catalogue). At micro observation, this coin showed the stressings on the coin's surface of a blocked die, which would need to be absolutely perfectly blocked to avoid it (I would think); I can't see this on your coin, and I'd say it's even better grade than my shilling!

Bar the Cuban, that could've been Peter's post! Have you got two user names? Happy New Year Richard, I look forward to another year at Pre-Decimal High, if only they'd taught me this for the 11 years I was at school!

If you read the 1939 proof thread, you might find many good reasons to start with KG6, it would certainly be financially forgiving of the early mistakes you are inevitably going to make! My recommendation is collect the entire series of KG6! You'll experience .500 silver, CuproNi, Bronze, Proofs, Gold, Patterns, Slabs&Raw, etc. From there you could easily work backwards with your new found knowledge, in a denomination, metal, series, that you feel attracted to! I'd say you have the combination of financial forgiveness, and a pretty series on the brink of the climb, in KG6! It's also possible for a new entrant to collect at the very top level for most types, which is always the holy grail in coin collecting!

A very odd festive season this year, my wife who has been in hospital over Xmas came home today Then this evening, i get news that my brother has just been admitted to hospital So sitting on my tod waiting for New Year - large Scotch at the ready! Happy New Year All David AND my wife's WORKING in hospital, while I sit at home on me tod (though I am actually DRINKING whiskey, rather than waiting on one)! Really glad your wife's home, and I genuinely hope the news is good re your brother! Happy New Year, David!

You wouldn't be allowed that luxury in the Bonny Land! I've just been talking with my old Dundonian friend on the phone, and he's just been kidnapped by his two brothers! It's no wonder you moved to Deutschland! Happy New Year, Dave!

Personally I think it is 'Sellers beware' on eBay, tons of protection for buyers, and sellers dread negative feedback ... beware high grade coins without lots of hi-res pics, expensive historic coins without provenance, anything from China and certain other known replica exporting locations, and much more to be found on here. There are still bargains to be had for sure. I never thought of it that way. I think for the time being I'd rather stick with well known people away from eBay. And that is absolutely a good move too! We have many reputable dealers on here! It's not your average forum, there are contributors to the BNJ, authors of respected books, and probably a combined 1000 years + of experience amongst all members! We have R P Coins (Rob), Argentumandcoins (John), PennyCrownCoins (Derek [does that name ring any bells?]/Red Riley), HistoricCoinage (Clive), AboutFarthings (Colin) and, of course, Pre-Decimal (Chris)! I always hate creating a list, as I always forget someone! Most of the forum members here also buy AND sell on eBay too, perhaps we should have a copy of eBay user names for those who want them shared, and paste them up on occasions such as these? Anyway, move with caution, read this forum for a month, surf the above mentioned dealers, and don't rush! All the right questions are being asked here! I have been looking on the pre decimal shop part of the site and RP Coins quite a bit, just getting an idea of prices and what's around. Not planning on rushing, I just tend to read through things over and over Hallelujah, a serious man of coins! Happy New Year, Greg!

Thanks again VS, prepare yourself for a New Year 'Cat 'O' Nine'! Whilst I have nothing remotely interesting or academic to discuss with Graham(yet), I would certainly like him on-side (in the address book), if only so he might wait patiently on my ignorance of this series, until such a time as I can find a question of importance! As always with this forum, all knowledge is gratefully received!

Personally I think it is 'Sellers beware' on eBay, tons of protection for buyers, and sellers dread negative feedback ... beware high grade coins without lots of hi-res pics, expensive historic coins without provenance, anything from China and certain other known replica exporting locations, and much more to be found on here. There are still bargains to be had for sure. I never thought of it that way. I think for the time being I'd rather stick with well known people away from eBay. And that is absolutely a good move too! We have many reputable dealers on here! It's not your average forum, there are contributors to the BNJ, authors of respected books, and probably a combined 1000 years + of experience amongst all members! We have R P Coins (Rob), Argentumandcoins (John), PennyCrownCoins (Derek [does that name ring any bells?]/Red Riley), HistoricCoinage (Clive), AboutFarthings (Colin) and, of course, Pre-Decimal (Chris)! I always hate creating a list, as I always forget someone! Most of the forum members here also buy AND sell on eBay too, perhaps we should have a copy of eBay user names for those who want them shared, and paste them up on occasions such as these? Anyway, move with caution, read this forum for a month, surf the above mentioned dealers, and don't rush! All the right questions are being asked here!

Personally I think it is 'Sellers beware' on eBay, tons of protection for buyers, and sellers dread negative feedback ... beware high grade coins without lots of hi-res pics, expensive historic coins without provenance, anything from China and certain other known replica exporting locations, and much more to be found on here. There are still bargains to be had for sure. I concur with that Paulus! For example, I got my money AND postage returned through Paypal re the above coin! Statistics for me are: around 1000 eBay coins purchased, approximately 10 were unexpected arrivals (wrong coins, lies, deceit, etc.), around 5 of which I couldn't stomach (or easily resolve), and consequently opened a case on! Final outcome...5 proper bad egg deals...5 cases opened...5 cases refunded in full! As a buyer, I've yet to have a bad experience on eBay! However, yes, extreme caution is the order of the day!