Coinery

OK, as far as I'm concerned, there are people who collect whimsies (I think that's what they're called), and also those who collect beer mats...to me they have the same collecting mentality and passion as I do, and I totally (honestly) get where they are coming from! For me, however, this particular passion (coins) wouldn't have any of its magic if it didn't occasionally mix in some of the dangers involved in cliff-edge finance, and of the importance of getting things right, though sometimes wrong. Also, if it didn't occasionally drop me into another period, and into the life and times of a bygone age, I'm not sure I'd feel quite as involved! If I couldn't take that daring gamble once and a while, if I couldn't spin the roulette wheel and gamble that the money would be there for a wonderfully daring bet... I love all these things about collecting coins! I love pitting my wits and growing in knowledge, and also love making the next pitch, just a little higher up the league table! Man, I'd be so bored if I collected beer mats!

You are myth breaking here, Declan, and your point will soon again disappear into the myth/mist! I 100% agree but would add, there are two very distinct markets in coins, which doesn't require any expansion! Other than to say, one of them happens in the single-lot coins of the big auction houses (exception - where Rob points out, the radar has has a wobbly), at a price where only making 10% net is very nice! The other? Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work it out! It just needs to be worked with the same degree of integrity as any other business does! More in fact...let's not stoop to their level?

Not for sale!

Was it a fake?

You didn't go and get too used to those raggy edges, did you TG?

And a very good one, TG!

No, I didn't really look at it from a grade and value point of view, just an observational thing re that edge!

It's rare you see such a large coin in that grade with a good edge, however!

Well done, Rob! I was searching the net for Elizabeth shillings bearing bust 3A this evening, just to see what's out there, as it's a very rare bust type, and I found about 5, all available by well-known dealer names. However, only one single coin of the 5 was correctly attributed, and indeed the rare bust 3A! If anyone knows of a good example image of that bust, that I'd be able to use for the website, please let me know? Has anyone seen any good examples sell? Rob's is the first I've seen! Sadly, I can't afford one just yet! Edit: what WAS I thinking! http://www.rpcoins.co.uk/c2%20pics/03329.jpg http://www.rpcoins.co.uk/c2.html

If you have the original images to hand, Rob, I'd really appreciate them. I could certainly do a better job of the cut-out then? Will the price go up? I'll be keeping an eye on it!

I was reading the 1955 BNJ article by I D Brown this morning, and all I could glean from that was that the three punches 3C, 3A, and 3B (6,7,and 8 in the article), came into service after the New Year, with 3A and 3B being discontinued before April. Of course 3B made an appearance many years later, so one can only guess that 3A was disposed of at the queen's request, or maybe the broken crown got worse? She certainly didn't like her Lis busts, hence the production of the 3-series, of which 3C was undoubtably her favourite, having such a long run, and seeing out the end of the shillings of the first period, notwithstanding the fact it was the bust of choice on the early gold coinage too. Bust 3A? I guess, if she had a favourite in bust 3C, then it probably follows that she had a least favourite, with poor old 3A the likely runt? I'll email Chris C and see what his thoughts are on it, and also take a look the early 3B coins. As you say, it could be that the 3A (and 3J) are the true rarities in the shilling series, with all the lis types being relatively searchable?

I thank you!

Enter Peter!

If I could be bothered I'd write 4 emails but, as it happens, I can't! I console myself, knowing that anyone who actually wants an example of 3A, would actually know what one was...presumably...you never know, of course? Can I pinch your bust in the interim?

Just another hypothesis, but I wonder whether the bottom of the E punch has broken off, and they've mocked it up on the die with a fix? In the second E of George, is it just possible that what we are seeing is a G 'repairing' the broken E (effectively an F)? Could this also be replicated in the E of Rex?

It would be difficult to argue that that isn't a B in REX I have to say, especially when looking at the bigger images side by side! Have you checked for a die match with the St James coin?

That's a really interesting coin! It looks to me as if there's a bottom serif sticking out the bottom loop of the B-shape. If you look at the E in George, that also exhibits B-like qualities, but looks more E-like?The whole die and/or punches look very tired. So, is it an E with a damaged/curved bottom bar, or a B punch refashioned (for God knows what reason) to make an emergency E? Or B/E? Food for thought! The serifs of the E in Georgius do indeed display unusual wee spreads and bends but the corresponding letter in Rex has strong 'B' loops. Exactly the same as the St. James coin.They do look similar, I'm looking forward to getting the laptop out and taking a closer look. The iPhone isn't a kind tool for those sort of things!

OK, this is what I'm seeing on the Elizabeth 6d posted in Coin Aquisition by Azda! So, IMHO, a mistaken 2 for P in Posvi (I've seen number 2 clearly in the legend of 2 other coins), corrected by P (double punched). I could be wrong, as the vagarities are many, but I'd be calling it that if it were mine!

That's two for a 2, then! Anymore for anymore?

That's a really interesting coin! It looks to me as if there's a bottom serif sticking out the bottom loop of the B-shape. If you look at the E in George, that also exhibits B-like qualities, but looks more E-like?The whole die and/or punches look very tired. So, is it an E with a damaged/curved bottom bar, or a B punch refashioned (for God knows what reason) to make an emergency E? Or B/E? Food for thought!

Oh, yes, sorry, my fault...never got that before!So sorry, Johnshan, I can't begin to explain what happened there...total crossed wires/miss-post!Whoops! Stewie Put the red wine away. I think it may be a late night for me watching children in need. I've already dug deep in Tesco and Mrs Peter has just brought through some Abbot. Oh dear.

Oh, yes, sorry, my fault...never got that before!So sorry, Johnshan, I can't begin to explain what happened there...total crossed wires/miss-post!Whoops!

Oh, yes, sorry, my fault...never got that before!

Peter's right, of course...it would depend on given grade, coin, and whether you mean to keep it or resell it? Tch!