Paulus

Each to his/her own of course, but personally I don't see any appeal whatsoever in collecting so-called varieties that are simply the result of ageing/damaged/clogged dies, which must surely affect most of the coins we already have, and want to acquire, to a greater or lesser degree? Isn't it a bit like saying 'I want an early strike of this type, and one that is from a slightly worn die, and a third from a really worn/rusty die that makes the 'A' look like it is unbarred, or the Trident look like it has 2 prongs?' Definitely not for me, these 'varieties'! Edit: sorry if that ruffles any feathers, or perhaps if some of the varieties I have cited are more than just die issues, each to their own! I like spelling errors on early milled/hammered

All posts are welcome here, whether they are related to UK or foreign numismatics, pre- or post-decimal ... it is fair to say that the bulk of the expertise will be in the pre-decimal UK arena

What years do you have/are missing Christoph? I believe Bill Pugsley (a member on here) has every 20th C Maundy set - and they will be high grade - you could try PMing him?

lol

Exactly Stu, and with a small population like CGS have of under 40,000 graded coins the 'Finest Known' accolade can change hands quite frequently, and is still up for grabs for many many types!!! At least there is a finite population out there to collect ... until another hoard of Tudor hammered is discovered, revealing some Liz I sixpences with an Aardvark privy mark!

The whole thing has got a bit ridiculous ... oh, the Eurofighter, WHAT a machine!!!!!!! I never tire of it at air shows! The very best was Bournemouth a few years ago when it was a gorgeous August Bank Holiday weekend so they could do what they wanted in the skies ... then later in the afternoon a few wispy clouds appeared and this total Top Gun Maverick show off gave it all he'd got ... with audio commentary on the tannoy, after his diaphragm-challenging aeronautics, he finished by corkscrewing vertically up through a cloud leaving a perfect hole in his wake ... an audio-visual image I will never forget

It's not a grading description I use myself, but it appears to be in common usage! Maybe it's a term that wrangles in the same way as 'almost unique'?

Would that it were so, I am still on a steep learning curve but still enjoying the hobby immensely! The likes of Rob have probably forgotten more than I will ever know (although perhaps Rob is a bad example, he seems to have an encyclopaedic memory!) The problem of the 'perfect' grade is analogous to the competitions I mentioned - if you give someone a 9.9, and then later on someone else is even better, what do you do?

Again, I agree. Much like I feel about perfect 10's in gymnastics and perfect 6's for Torville and Dean (I won't mention televised talent competitions!) However: I have a NGC MS70 coin (non Proof)I have 2 PCGS PR70 coinsAnd going back to my FDC question, you have for sale an 1882 Maundy set that you describe as aFDC, but I presume they are not proof (they would be a bargain indeed if they were!) - do you make an exception in grading descriptions for non-proof Maundy (perhaps because they are not minted for circulation)?

NFDC is equal to 12. On the basis that BU is as good as they come, then that must equal 100. The rest follows. I totally agree Rob, BU should be the top grade of 100 for non-proofs on the CGS scale, and FDC for proofs, equally with a grade of 100. To my mind they have confused the 2, suggesting perhaps that Proofs are always a better grade than circulation coins (but they are a different type so you can't really compare them)A circulation coin cannot achieve a grade of 100?

Ok, how about Ilchester, Cricklade, Shaftesbury, Malmesbury and Winchcombe? 1 right. lol Ilchester eh? Not today sir, no.

I know, I know, how can a non-proof coin be better than BU! Their table says 88 = BU - NFDC But then of course proof is not in itself a grade, and I don't necessarily see why non-proof coins can't be described as FDC ... Out of interest, does anyone know the history behind the adoption of FDC (Fleur de Coin) as a grade, seeing as it does not conform to the rest of the traditional grading abbreviations?

The best CGS have handled (according to their graders) (out of a surprisingly impressive 631 undated 20p's) is this one: 88 being equivalent to BU+

I have created a humungous mahusive pdf by combining all the individual pdfs I have of the yearly BNJs from 1903-2007. This enables me to search for content across all these archive files You shouldn't be saying that on here, Paulus, you'll be inundated! However, as first in your queue, 'would you mind me testing out your search engine?' Sounds like a statement from a carry-on film! Go ahead Stu, let me know a search string

I have created a humungous mahusive pdf by combining all the individual pdfs I have of the yearly BNJs from 1903-2007. This enables me to search for content across all these archive files

Oops, really? I didn't look beyond the image!You're still looking for one of them, aren't you, Paulus? A real one, yes! In fact I would be very happy to free up some funds by selling a few coins to obtain a nice example, especially of S2590, 2595 or 2596

Yes, looks like you've done well their Jordan! Any other English coins in amongst them?

He does state "Sixpence Regina Elizabeth 1562 WRL COPY" to be fair

The 'lower grades' section of the CGS grading system is as follows: 20 F F30 15 NF 10 VG 8 VG 5 GOOD 4 FAIR 3 FAIR 2 FAIR 1 FAIR

Fair/VG for me

That's why I said if anyone can save it and then open with a picture editor they can change the contrast which may reveal some detail. For some reason my image must corrupt when saving as it doesn't give the option to open with the editor, only firefox or word etc. This computer is on borrowed time. . Rob, try saving it with a different name, sometimes browsers will cache the picture and not show you the latest version

Chris, the coins you mention all sound very worthy, particularly an EF 1905 shilling. You can take superb pictures of coins with smart phones, cameras with macro lenses may be needed when close up detail is required. The key to their value will be their exact grade, since there can be a huge difference in value between, say, a VF 1905 shilling and one that is truly EF. Some indicative pics would definitely be helpful, if possible

Hi Chris, welcome to the forum! Those in Fair grade are unlikely to fetch more than their silver values, unless they are rare dates or varieties, those in EF or better will fair a good deal better ... so it all depends on exactly what you have really! Any chance of a list with your estimates of grades, or better still, pics?

It's just that, as Peter suggests, you're much better off buying the full set than the 1d or 6d individually! Clearly, lots of eBay buyers don't realise this!It's likely why the 6d does well? We don't all chuck EII farthings in our Christmas puds and keep the best ones for ourselves, you know! Personally, I have so many Edward II farthings that I simply don't know what to do with them! You could always come to Christmas at ours? We'll do dinner, you bring the Christmas pud! Okay, I'll make sure I only use my Berwick Mint ones!

It's just that, as Peter suggests, you're much better off buying the full set than the 1d or 6d individually! Clearly, lots of eBay buyers don't realise this!It's likely why the 6d does well? We don't all chuck EII farthings in our Christmas puds and keep the best ones for ourselves, you know! Personally, I have so many Edward II farthings that I simply don't know what to do with them!