Paulus

I also like to record the seller info in several fields and comments, such as what was their grading, original asking price or BIN price etc. This helps (especially for new sellers and dealers) to establish who is really fair regarding pricing and grading, (extremely important! - there are some ( a very few!) I trust enough to buy a coin without seeing even the pics!!)

I like gambling on poor eBay pictures, got some of my best bargains that way, and listings with only one pic ... EF for me, never quite sure of the difference between EF+ and GEF, I am only 6 months in myself!

Here's a high octane contender! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1893-Great-Britain-PCGS-PR64-Virtual-Gem-Colorful-Toned-Proof-Crown-/330751997066?pt=US_World_Coins&hash=item4d025af48a#ht_6380wt_1397

Innovative way to entice people into one's eBay auction! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-x-Florins-Why-cant-a-lady-with-only-one-leg-change-a-1-note-Open-4-Answer-/290736316874?pt=UK_Coins_OtherBritish_RL&hash=item43b13c21ca#ht_500wt_1413

Hand your notice in tomorrow and you are half way there. I'm pretty certain that the YHA require less than 6 months notice. The sooner the better because you will have to devote all your time and more to make a living selling way overpriced bullion silver. As I said before, I wish you well in your investment. Phew!! No more posts on this thread today, what a relief!! ... Ooops ... sorry!

LOL the world's commonest coin! Still, if you like it, and you're happy to buy from a company that spells "wholly" as "wholey", who am I to criticise? Are you now enrolled in their £40 per month scam scheme?

How about trying a different browser?

Interesting item on flea bay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120930291807?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1426.l2648#ht_500wt_1413 anyone watching?

I am debating whether to buy this 1905 Florin from an on-line dealer, I wont be able to see it in hand before I decide ... I would value members' opinions as to grade and value (i.e. what you might expect to pay a dealer for this coin in this grade), I will submit my final offer on Sunday 11/3, thanks for any interest and guidance!

I can vouch for that! I think high grade Edward VII silver can be attractive and will hold its value

This is all marketing crap. If you really want to show the buying power of silver, why not use the 1980 $/£ adjusted figures? When the market peaked at $50.35 intra-day on 21st January 1980 up from its low of $4.50, then you can boast that it bought over 17 gallons of fuel. You might not want to tell the full story though, because it soon fell back to only buy 3 and a 1/2 gallons within a week or two. Or if you feel inclined, why not clarify the reasons why silver is going to increase in price by using examples such as this gleaned from wikipedia - quote "In April 2007, Commitments of Traders Report revealed that four or fewer traders held 90% of all short silver futures contracts totalling 245 million troy ounces, which is equivalent to 140 days of production. According to Ted Butler, one of these banks with large silver shorts, JPMorgan Chase, is also the custodian of the SLV silver ETF. Some silver analysis have pointed to a potential conflict of interest, as close scrutiny of Comex documents reveals that ETF shares may be used to "cover" Comex physical metal deliveries. This led analysts to speculate that some stores of silver have multiple claims upon them. On 25 September 2008 the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) relented and probed the silver market after persistent complaints of foul play.[22] In April 2010, Andrew Maguire, a former Goldman Sachs trader, went public with assertions of market manipulation by JPMorgan Chase and HSBC of the gold and silver markets, prompting a number of lawsuits.[23][24] In response to allegations of market manipulation from silver investors such as Max Keiser, Blythe Masters, Head of Global Commodities for JP Morgan, told CNBC in April 2012 "often when customers have metal stored in their facility, they hedge it through JP Morgan on a forward basis who in turn hedges itself in the commodity markets. If you see only the hedges and our activity in the futures market, but you aren’t aware of the underlying client position that we’re hedging then it would suggest inaccurately that we are running a large directional position."[25]" So you see, the market is invariably controlled by a few players who may change over time, but all have the same ultimate intention which is to get suckers to jump on board and buy their already overpriced metal in order to make a profit. Ultimately it will be the 'me too' want to get rich quick type of person who will end up the poorer. I think you are on the way there. If I have misread the situation and in fact you are operating a Ponzi scheme, I apologise for my stupidity in being unable to identify the type of scam involved. Sorry Rob, but, I have just read the bit of the post that you have highlighted and would love to know which garage Will refuels at? Silver is currently at £18.41/ounce and Will claims it will now buy 8 gallons of fuel... £2.30/gallon??? If you want to spout figures Will at least do your research/maths first. I think he has been Americanised where gas is cheaper and gallons are smaller! I hope he has diversified his investments!

Just one I think. Remember this is the Irish navy... That coin? Fair. The legend is readable and the main points of the design still present. You missed my irony - it was a comment on the spelling! He meant navvy. nawy, never heard of it lol

I have Geo II R&P 1741 listed in EF the now on the bay Do you have a link Dave?

There is also this 10 bob thingy from Guernsey: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Guernsey-1966-ten-shillings-coin-EF-/350567922015?pt=UK_Coins_BritishRegional_RL&hash=item519f79f95f#ht_500wt_1180 Have a great time tomorrow! I went to my first in London 2 weeks ago, really good!

No, but a coin I sold to the esteemed Mr Groom ended up in his silver book! Yey, ok that counts. Maybe I will see if I can get my refunded Northumberland into a forgery publication!

In the US there is a greater adherence to the grade given on the slab. It takes the thinking out of collecting/investment because a certain coin in a certain grade will cost so much without regard to the aesthetics of the item. Slabbing in itself costs money and this is recouped by the seller for more expensive pieces by upping the price. However, with the modern pieces and consistent conditions employed by the mints around the world, many of these pieces would grade or are already graded MS69 and will never be rare, so you have to consider the intrinsic metal value of a silver coin for instance. An MS70 strike has been deemed by the TPG to be a perfect strike, but it is only one person's opinion. Search slabs on this forum and you will find many threads where different opinions are voiced. Many collectors don't like them, but you will find that out if you read a bit. You might find you are at the bottom of a very steep learning curve. Welcome to collecting and to the forum Will! Please listen to Rob he certainly knows what he is talking about, I wish I had joined the forum earlier in my collecting!

That would apply to anybody who has bought a single coin lot at a Spink auction, most being illustrated these days. So in answer to your question, probably half the regular posters. I should have qualified it I guess! How about in the annual Coins of England Spink catalogue, like the Scarborough under discussion here?

Would the extra price be anything to do with provenance, it's the coin featured in the Spink catalogue! I love it, and I guess if you wanted one, this would have to be the one! The Scarborough coinage must surely be an easy and worthwhile coin for the Chinese to get their hands on. Just wished I had 58k handy at the time for a safe bet such as this one! Must be much kudos having one of your own coins pictured in Spink, can any of our honourable members claim that?

Dave do you know when the new fees apply from?

Fantastic!

Certainly looks that way Looks like sandpaper to me The only upside is that whoever did it got what they deserve. I.e. a massive devaluation of their asset. A Brillo pad I reckon!

as if! I think I did say "except Proofs" and I believe the Gothic crowns fall under this category and although there are worn examples it was not meant to be a currency coin. Am I wrong? I am in the collecting situation where I believe there are plenty of non-proof Gothic crowns, which is both good and bad!!! They are beautiful though, although I am always happy with ogling my EF gothic florins!

I agree with these grade, love the toning on the 1910 too! I think it is Poor Good Fair Fine Very Fine Extremely Fine Uncirculated with variations including near, about, plus, good (as a prefix), BU (brilliant uncirculated), and FDC (Fleur de Coin) But I might not have it quite right! Hope that helps!!

I agree with Peck's assessment, the Maundy sets are your most valuable items, probably worth £70-£90 per set. The "silver melt" at today's prices for the florin is about £6.

EF it is then So my initial grading was right on the button . Thank you all for your input. Up to now my main area has been copper and bronze but have decided to venture into crowns, very nice and chunky even in low grades. I just love the toning on some of these 200-300 year old coins and no problems with verdigris However thr prices are a bit restricting! I don't know what your budget is, but Charles II and William III are inexpensive relative to other early milled (you should be able to pick most up for under 100 in about Fine)? And Anne 1706 onwards and most George II (although a little more), if your not holding out for VF+! Some interesting varieties too, different busts and over-dates and rose below for Charles 2, different busts for William, captured silver from VIGO Bay for Anne, along with Edinburgh mint, plain, plumes, and roses AND plumes. Similar for George II, substituting LIMA for VIGO, and roses and R&P, (but no plumes only variety). Happy hunting!