Paulus

I thought of that Rob, and have been looking at those too. So far, I have only seen 'open-mouthed' examples, i.e. with tongue and/or bit missing, as below:

I will give that a try Mark, thanks for the suggestion. The more I look at examples, the more clear cut it seems to be - they really are one or the other!

I guess I am reluctant to even conceive of the idea that I might have spotted something that countless others have not, in over 100 years of microscopic examinations! But I suppose this is how varieties can come to light over time! I will study on-line images a bit more scientifically, perhaps we can have a straw poll on this forum? Does your Viccy old head crown horse's mouth look like this ('open' or perhaps 'no tongue or bit') or this ('closed' or 'with tongue or bit')? I have looked at about 30 so far (1897-1900), the ratio of open to closed in that small sample is about 3:1

Not mentioned in Davies either, don't know why I left it out earlier as I had checked it! It's probably nothing, looking at images online some 'appear' to have an open mouth and others do not, milling and weight check out.

I don't think you overpaid, but not a bargain, very common as I am sure you know. I am fond of nicely toned silver, as you might guess, hence starting this thread!

Very attractive Hudson!

I agree just.me, there is a distinction between coin types for circulation (even proof and Piedfort versions of same) and those that were never destined for circulation, in my view

You need to make your album public Redd ...

I've been after a decent 1723 shilling for a while now, unfortunately this one seems to have been stamped with someone's initials ... wondered if Debbie might be interested if it is a love token? Might want to research WCC?? At £30 delivered I am not too bothered, just didn't notice it at first

sounds like Stu has it but hasn't been using it for Eddie

Nobody fooled then? Must try harder next year!

Love that Stu will give the same answer regardless of the TPG

I have always used Duncannon, and have been pleased with their products and service - however I have not tried to find the 6 x 2". I use 12 x 2", so while I can recommend Numis and Duncannon I do not know of the same in 6 x 2" in A5 ish Not much help I spose, but I would contact Duncannon

Same here, and I only started out in 2009-10. In fact I am quite surprised by Jaggy's comment: "I estimate that the value of my collection has gone up by 77% since I started collecting around 1985" - 77% in 30 years? - that's less than 2% per annum - is that borne out by the average change in Spink book prices since 1985, does anyone know?

Mark, I always value your insights and you have far more experience than I. Two observations though ... It is recognised that separating investment strategies from collection or hobby strategies is an intelligent approachSupply and demand will always win out, the fact that the supply of old coins, stamps and fountain pens has of course dried up (except as Chinese replicas) does not mean that values will increase over time, demand is far more difficult to predict!These two points are of course obvious, but I make no apologies for restating them! I want coin prices to fall as a collector/buyer, and increase as an investor/seller - obviously! My bubble point relates to high end coins going through auction houses such as Heritage ... there is a built-in spiralling price effect due to the hype and commission, with some coins the whole house of cards will just crash down, which might have a knock-on effect. I don't operate at that level, so it is, as I said, just a feeling, watching from the sidelines.

For now, perhaps, with coins I feel a bubble has been growing at the top end which is in danger of bursting, but I hope that feeling is wrong! Mind you I don't have many coins worth more than £1k! Somewhat surprised that rare stamps are buoyant again, might have to dust off my collection (I started with stamps when I was 6) and see what's what!

You're right Rob, more like our favourites than recognisable iconic coins for Joe Public ... but food for thought nonetheless ... not sure a layman would recognise a Cromwell obverse either! Perhaps 'iconic' to the coin collecting community is what's intended by the OP? Of course that depends on an individual's collecting focus, but I have given 5 of perhaps 20 circulating English milled silver, for me!

Agree with Mark, it's finally the case that you can do what you like with your pension money, quite right

The old head florins are beautiful, not sure they achieve 'iconic' status that's all, for me!

Really hard to limit it to 5, as I mainly collect milled silver I will vote (on the basis of iconic-ness) for: William & Mary conjoined heads 1891 series crown/half crownGeorge IV 1821 series half crown (reverse)William IV 1834 series half crown (reverse)Victoria Gothic crown or half crownEdward VII florin (reverse)which of course ignores many other iconic milled silver which is very worthy of inclusion!

Happy birthday Pedro

Post away, this is exactly what I was hoping for when I started this thread!

NGC grades counter-stamped coins based on the counter-stamp, not the host coin. Bizarre though don't you think, as both are relevant to a collector and as to value?

With your depth of knowledge you deserve that sort of luck

Is that the coin on the home page of your web site Rob?