Debbie

Another thing - purely from a beginners perspective - would the size of the coin have anything to do with it? I mean that's a sixpence so very much smaller than say for instance a crown, so on the same sized photo wouldn't those nicks and marks translate to be much less prominant on such a small coin?

I agree too Coinery, I love nicely toned coins too. In fact I look at my collection of shillings rather like a chocolate box of different shades which highlights the fact that the collection is unique and reflects my choices.

Thank you Paulus Didn't people have such beautiful writing back then - its a shame there is not a date inscribed.I wonder if at the time the engraver thought that coin to be of a great age then?

Yes I am watching that one already, but thanks for pointing it out Conery!

I feel sorry for your wife.....if my hubby posted a photo of me on a public forum I would kill him!

And another

You have to admit there are some pretty impressive engraved coins for sale out there! peice of history

I'm sorry for being so ignorant Rob, but what's a R6 again?

Thanks Garry, will have a browse. I did a bit of searching myself and came up with this love token soc

Thanks for your replies guys. I think it’s the fact that it is very random that appeals. It could be a way of escaping (or supplementing) the single denomination date run scenario for me. They are obviously going to be unique coins, with potential too create a unique collection and within my price range especially if I only acquire one or two a year and since there isn’t an abundance of examples out there, there is less chance of being seduced into buying for the sake of it…..I must however only choose ones I really like!!! Does anyone know of any literature available on this subject? Oh and yes please if anyone happens across anything that might be of interest please do let me know! Ever grateful

Fantastic - much appreciated Declan. The centre diamond in the top one does look ever so slightly higher that the others. That must be the type I have.

Don't suppose you have any examples of these do you Declan? When I look at mine it looks like its the middle diamond that doesn't touch the baseline ?

Ah,ah! that's 7 coins then!

Now that the year is drawing to a close I thought it might be an idea to ask “How many coins did you buy this year?†I did a quick reckoning up myself and was shocked to discover it was 87 for me! (I thought it might have been around 50 ) I know some of you buy coins to sell on so will have probably bought many more and some of you more discerning gentlemen may not have hit double figures? I think that my new year’s resolution will have to be working towards reducing the number and increasing the prices!

Now stop pretending to belong to the "decerning" group Garry. ( No wonder you want to buy,buy,buy)

Yes it could be a sort of lucky dip. Send a SAE with a tenner in and see what fellow members post you back!

You know the diamonds look quite interesting.... I'm sure Mrs Gollum wouldn't object!

I think that was a typo as further down it says that the whole set is £29.

Oh - so there ARE ultra rare 1956 proof shillings out there somewhere!

You know Coinery I hadn't thought of that! I am wondering how long and how many posts it takes to become a "forum god"!!! Nick - I should have posted that link on the ebay laughs thread. It was the "ultra rare" reference I thought odd !

Sorry I'll try again?

Oh my goodness, perhaps I should stop now..... Back to talking proofs - what do you think of this ?

Well I for one am very grateful for all your time spent explaining and educating...I am on the computer a lot as I run a business from home. I must admit though it is far too easy to become distracted now I have discovered the forum!

Ok the penny has dropped!! So the “proofs†that you get as part of a proof set is very different from an actual single proof coin…... Sooo….what about the 1970 shilling proof coins, were there any sterling silver ones issued? “Check your change†doesn’t seem to mention any 1970 proof sets and all the one I have seen look very dubious (too shiney). Also I have a 1990 proof coin which I am now thinking may be a sterling silver coin even though it was bought separately. Thanks for your patience Peck!

All that chocolate would be bad for your waist line Gary. So is there any way of distiguishing which modern proofs are actually made from silver and which are made from cupro-nickel if they are sold individually? Are they more likely to be VIP proofs for example?