bagerap

This: http://www.napoleonicmedals.org/coins/bhm.htm is a good site for British Historical Medals. It is frequently offline (as at present) but is worth bookmarking.

Just how much luck can a man have in just one day? First he wins the lottery, then he meets the girl of his dreams.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281030455548

Mintage 715,000. Number on ebay this year, probably 716,000. People who've never listed another coin will have room for one of these. There's a jewelry seller who lists three at a time. Every time.

I'm here as an disinterested observer, medals and exonumia are my area and slabbing is unlikely to affect these in my lifetime. Thus all of my items are raw but I can see the high end Art Medal market going towards slabbing. There are instances in modern life of a product or service being introduced to fulfill a need that previously had not existed. For example "Next day delivery" and JIT (just in time) warehousing, concepts which replaced the older ideas of pre-planning and stock control. These concepts took hold,in part,because they replaced the requirement for skill and knowledge. To a certain extent TPGs do the same for collectors who either cannot master the complex U.S. points grading system; or are too lazy to do so. And as for investors, it's just a way of listing the product. All this said, I'm interested in one comment: "594 is valued by CGS in VF50 grade at 6,- pounds (= almost worthless as cost of slabbing is 12,- pounds" Yet as shown earlier from the ebay example they're perfectly happy to accept £12 to grade a coin worth £6. Good business sure, but what does it say to the coin community at large? "Give us your money and we'll give you the grade" And just out of interest, just how many countries outside of North America are listed in Krause under the ponderous 70 point system? This rant is courtesy of Old Fettercairn.

You would probably be surprised at the prices some toy coins fetch. It's quite possible that a collector would pay sensible money for these.

"Talking of the CN23 has anyone ever seen one? I've asked in 3 different post offices now for a copy, only to be met with the face of disbelief! I've even turned over a 22 to prove they exist!" Supposedly available through your local Revenue & Customs office, except they know naff all about Exports. Mainly because exporting involves no claw back for them, indeed those stalwart individuals registered for VAT can in some circumstances actually claim money back.

I only know that Lithuanian Customs are returning any letters that they suspect to be carrying dutiable goods if they are not accompanied by a form CN22 (or CN23 if worth over £270)

Only £1,000 and no takers: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20p-Coin-Undated-No-Markings-/281015689469?pt=UK_Coins_BritishDecimal_RL&hash=item416dd720fd

From what is visible it seems likely that they are made from play money struck by the German firm of Lauer.

"It's good to see Vern's website being used as a reference of sorts." It's the one tab that I always keep open.

Not entirely sure about the figure 2 on this example due to wear.

Got one! Trouble is this link is broken more often than not. http://www.napoleonicmedals.org/coins/bhm-1113.htm

This appears to be BHM# 1113, the authorship of which is unknown. I'm trying to get a clear picture, but very few BHMs appear on line with the correct identification.

I've spotted two of my customers in his feedback list, and one's a really fussy bugger.

Was this when the British Army changed from Redcoats to brown trousers?

And strangely enough, it's underweight by 0.8 gr for this series of imitation half sovs.

Although I can't see anything inherently wrong with this, at 7.8 gr it's about 1.5 gr underweight. That's about 15% weight loss. Is that acceptable with a small coin of this age?

Iraq KM#108 10 Fils 1943 mintage 1.5Million 6.75 gr, 25 mm Bronze

Looks as though it might be a Pachinko token: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachinko Most of them are around 25 mm diameter.

Well, it's a step up (just) from Trotter's International Trading.

A point very well made. I have access to a pro paint shop with fans and filters and tend to forget that there are hazards in home use. Apologies.

His feedback was entertaining. Two feeedback, two different years, two supposedly different sellers and identical wording. His purchases were also interesting.

I get mine from the Post Office.

Cellulose thinners works on most lacquer, just be sure that it contains xylene and toluene, neither of which should harm your coin.