Coinery

OZ, I think the term cleaning, is something that should be used to describe 'a procedure that removes something that's integral to the life-cycle of the coin,' such as age-related oxidisation for example? A lot of cleaning efforts that breach the above statement, are what we talk about in the negative. What I'm saying re cleaning is, yes, acetone may 'technically' be cleaning, but only removing the things that are NOT integral to the lifecycle of the coin, and so preventing those things that ARE great about an old coin from being diminished! When we store a coin in an ambient state, and handle them with kid gloves, are we not in a way protecting them from further contamination, maybe (technically) keeping them clean? If we are, then my argument is we should start with maintenance, namely, remove damaging contaminants! This is different to removing something that's already occurred, such as an acid print, or removing an unfortunate tone by dipping, etc.

A 20th/21st century proof will not stand any kind of intervention, I 100% agree, and have said so endlessly on this forum...it is hoped they can be bought without grime? Earlier proofs? Well, you pay for what you get. You mention Olive Oil, CJ, olive oil is not something to degrease a coin with, which is all I'm talking about. It can soften residue, sure...but you then need to remove it, as it also (eventually) becomes rank and gummy, which is why I no longer use olive oil without removing it afterward! The best thing for removing olive oil? As you say, each to his own, but I think your statement re an acetoned coin meeting a rejection by TPGCs was over the top to say the least!

Edit to add: "In the interim ... Long live the use of Acetone in the U.K. ... hey ... its cheap but the real question is can it get past a grading service as never being cleaned or a Spinks cataloger .... for that matter." I'm dumbstruck, of course acetone will get past the TPGCs! Nothing happens, except the coin is decontaminated! What's wrong with everyone, it's not cleaned, acetone cannot clean, only remove grime that may one day attack the coin! Here's my two-penneth, if all perfect coins were decontaminated by acetone, we'd never see a fingerprint upon them ever again. If you get a 100 year old bronze coin in dazzling BU, how long before a 21C careless print makes its appearance? How much do you think the previous seller or auction house cared about handling pre delivery to you? Your prized BU penny from an auction house has just been handled more than a 2010 currency 10p of Elizabeth! It's a shame, but a fact. I think it should be a routine thing that we decontaminate a coin before filing it into our own collections! I do, and always will! All 8 coins from my own collection are sat void of acidic human grease!

Permanent set-up for camera is an excellent idea.

Nice! Some fabulous aerial shots! Thanks for sharing!

Having changed direction AGAIN, does anybody want this error 2014 10p for the fiver I gave for it? The images are shocking, I cannot photograph shiny coins at all, but it is BU (arguably, of course ). It was also photographed in a coin flip, which has a 'speckly' window (the whole batch of flips were like it...damned annoying). Anyway, leave it with you!

Your's for a fiver + post if you want it?

Maybe a piece of crud damaged the die?

There's a correlation between post numbers and the timescales for editing!

I've had two of these before, and seen another in hand, and they're not all thick. In fact the one I had in a W&W lot was 'hammered' thin. This is one of the lesser ones I've seen! Thanks for putting the images up TG! The seller mentioned nothing about it being a copy in the title, which is rather misleading TBH.

One of the better cast fakes out there! 121824795119

Saw this 351587618787 on eBay and thought 'hmmm, Edward II Farthing, Saxby must be getting himself a little help?' But looked at the obverse and thought, 'ah, maybe not!' Reassuringly Saxby's!

The rusty dies are a plus, though!

Goodness, this one looks more suspect than the OP coin? Apart from the general 'look' of it, the pinholes on the reverse 4 o'clock lions and lettering, the poorly formed II of XII. I've only taken a cursory look at the image in Spink, but the OP jewels seem correct, when comparing to that crown cushion?I know you're now going to tell me your coin has provenance going back 200 years, and it's been in the hands of endless collectors...

Nothing leaps out with the shilling, but I'm unfamiliar with the shield details on this series and would want to check that out if I was buying. Also, I'd definitely be checking it for weight and silver content if it was me.

I don't feel happy about the testoon. Take a look at the lettering, FRA especially! Would love to get a close-up view inside that split, to determine whether it's a hammered split, rather than a cast one.

All the best, John! Take it easy out there! ?

Ah, OK, that'll be post Laurie, then!

I've been a couple of times! Let's just say at least one grade if you are distance buying! Can be some bargains if you are in the room, due to blind bidding being somewhat reduced. When did Laurie die? Just trying to establish whether my visits were pre or post his passing?

All the best, pal! Take it steady out there, and enjoy the weekend! Birthday treat tomorrow methinks? ??

You and your's too, m'friend!

Nooo! And my sincere apologies again for my present distractions! Blessing!

I use Serif too, but the Serif PagePlus package, can highly recommend their software!

Why you should never attempt to grade hammered coins! Here's a "BOLD VF" from Baldwin's! http://www.baldwin.co.uk/coins/great-britain/hammered-british/richard-ii-penny-york-rare-in-vf.html?usrc=1

Wow, good on ya, Stuntman! Never ever begrudged a man the trappings, even from the perspective of being skint! This is the one of the wonderful insights that pastimes like this brings, where people of all walks of life can meet at a common point! History and coins are a pretty good meeting place for Caymans and £1k Hyundais! Brilliant! Love coins!