Paulus

Nice one, I am 'green' with envy! And welcome to the forum, what else do you have?

Does anyone know anything about these, or can point me to a link? I like the odd numismatic item that speaks of social history, they can be picked up on eBay now and then for next to nothing. Do any members have collections and knowledge of these?

Still battling away, and still struggling Anyway, I am hoping some improvement is noticed, including the lack of a blue hue. Still want to employ BRG or a professional photographer! Anyway, here's my hopefully better pic of one of the coins in the OP

Looks around aEF to me, but what is with the copper tone?

'Twas ever thus

Here's a pic, for attribution and drooling purposes (if appropriate!)

This is the item concerned http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1861-One-Penny-Coin-/301716639317?hash=item463fb68e55&nma=true&si=z9jpAA0bntoXYQgSfz1%252FJoRndfQ%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 is it a Freeman 27 with obverse 5 and reverse F worth £loads? Not my area, but I suspect that if it is then many penny collectors will be kicking themselves!

"It is not a rat, is filigree Siberian hamster"

Nice one David, you must be delighted! :)

Don't forget there is also Spink, DNW, Hertiage, Lockdales, Baldwins and St James, all this month!!!! Most of which have live on-line bidding ...

Should be okay I think, if it stays within the estimate range. Some eye appeal for me, although not too keen on the streaky marks on the Obv. I you see a coin described as 'bright', this is often a euphemism for dipped or cleaned (I think!)

link

It sure is! Not sure if most of them are museum copies, or Chinese copies from the likes of Ali Express ... or are they the same thing these days?!

BIN or Best Offer

Rob is right, and that is what most of us collectors are trying to do. Knowledge is everything, and with it you will get much better value for money and find the occasional bargain. Buying MS 63 and CGS 80 (which is supposedly equivalent to MS 64) graded coins will mean you will be paying the very top price for those coins, sometimes above the Spink valuation in UNC. I have sold 2 coins in the last week for way above the Spink and TPG valuations, that I would have been lucky to sell for half as much had they not been slabbed. Be careful not to mix collecting decision-making with investment decision-making - they should have different strategies

Indeed, simply the silliness of the auction company whose graders will have also graded this coin, describing it as both NVF AND CGS 5 (poor) ... and looking at the pics it is certainly nowhere near fine! But I take Rob's point too, someone may well be prepared to pay £25 or more for a certified slabbed example, which means the auction estimate is ok! I guess!!

Luckily there isn't a great deal of money involved, but that isn't really the point ... this is just silly, isn't it?? The very same company (effectively) that has slabbed and graded this coin as CGS 5 (poor) decides to sell it in their OWN auction with a description of NVF and an estimate of 25 TIMES their OWN valuation!!! Does the owner/seller of the coin have a say in the auction description?

Despite some advice to the contrary, I would totally agree with Azda and Coinery, leave it as it is, or you will be spending money making it even worse

I would agree, even without the Rupees and the 1951, you would be looking at £7k - £10k even without any auction fees, and assuming you could find them for sale in these grades (and slabbed) Maybe 1714 £1000-£1500 1797 £700-£900 1817 £2k-£4k 1847 £4k - £6k 1849 £500-£700

My collection (well my nicer/older pieces) is also on Wordpress (click below), I find it extremely flexible, quick and easy to use, and completely free, Would echo Nordle in thoroughly recommending it!

Boo, it's gone now, fun while it lasted!

I would say the James I shilling is full of eye appeal based on the pics you posted, and worthy of a punt at the full Spink VF price. I would be interested myself if you decide not to go for it, please PM me if so If It's anything to go on, I acquired this one privately very recently, albeit with the plume (S2669), for just under Spink VF price, one of my favourite coins

Don't forget the old pitfall, troy ounce = 31.1g (still used for precious metals), ounce = 28.35g 2 troy ounces is indeed 62.2 Grams, be careful out there!

As you say! ... stunning BRG, the coin and your photography

Me too, sorry! Ex-mount + edge knock means that I wouldn't go near it, and that would go for a lot of other collectors I'm sure. If I had come by it as part of a job lot, I would be quite pleased to get £50 for it.