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Sword

Accomplished Collector
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Everything posted by Sword

  1. Sword

    CGS Grading

    It is sometimes very hard to take decent photos through a slab. I suspect that the coin in question might look much better in hand. It would have been better to compare CGS photos rather than photos of slabs taken by different people under different conditions. However if I am buying a coin, I would always go along with what I can actually see in the photos rather than trusting the numerical grade. I wouldn't buy something if photos are inconclusive.
  2. Would my delivery charge be refunded if the postie didn't sing ...
  3. Sword

    10kg Gold Coin

    My initial impression is that the item is just another gimmick from the Royal Mint. However, it is not any less a "coin" than the countless commemorative offerings from the RM. It has a face value of £10,000. The modern commemorative "coins" cannot be spent either. The design is really rather nice. The unusual size makes it a statement piece. Not a bad purchase for the seriously rich.
  4. Sword

    stamps

    And these are the autographs on my first day covers.
  5. Sword

    Ebay's Worst Offerings

    He has got a feedback from this seller. This seller has sold an item to someone with his exact feedback rating for £10.50 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OLD-BRITISH-COINS-JOB-LOT-TIN-OF-RANDOM-COINS-FROM-OLD-COLLECTION-BRITISH-/174663610855?hash=item28aac331e7%3Ag%3AwIMAAOSwUJtgP81z&nma=true&si=XpF%252Bkwt2rQwC5K5pXI4GDtDduUY%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 Could be just a coincidence.
  6. Sword

    Ebay's Worst Offerings

    "No returns accepted" and not posting by special delivery. One should be deeply concerned by anyone selling an expensive and rare item under these terms!
  7. Sword

    stamps

    During the lockdown, I have started collecting signed first day covers. They often only cost a few pounds each and you can pick up attractive souvenirs on events you are interested in. It is also an affordable and safe way of getting autographs of well known personalities like politicians, VC winners, authors, actors etc. For some reason, I find the postmarks somewhat more interesting than the stamps themselves. Here is a selection:
  8. According to an antique TV episode I watched, there are two things worth watching out for. For an antique glass, there are many microscopic scratches on the base due to it being picked up and put down countless times over the centuries. These scratches apparently cannot be faked. In addition, a pontil mark shows it it was hand blown.
  9. They can look nice but I just find them a bit too heavy.
  10. I have heard of those stories before. They are really nice stories but I think they are probably myths. I think the theory that an all glass tankard was too expensive, and glass bottoms enable drinkers to see check the clarity and quality of the beer is more likely to be true.
  11. I drink beer infrequently these day but I prefer glasses that are simple and unpretentious. Pint glasses and Weizen-shaped are for me. But I do like to use different wine glasses for red, white, dessert, sparkling or spirits...
  12. It's nicely done, but I would prefer "no cigar".
  13. Sword

    Ebay's Worst Offerings

    Obviously they should have, and I wouldn't be very happy if I am the seller.
  14. Sword

    Ebay's Worst Offerings

    I assume they would have supplied a photo if asked? London Coins was prompt to email photos when I asked them. Likewise, I have got additional photos from Lockdales before.
  15. Sword

    Alternative coin storage

    Personally, I think having adequate insurance is the only way to get peace of mind. Some people even use security boxes in banks. However, it is not much fun collecting if your items are not easily accessible. I would probably go for something serious like a floor safe in the unlikely event of ever having a decent collection one day.
  16. Sword

    1917 Sixpences Grading

    I would distinguish wear from weak striking by the loss of lustre. With regard to the second example, practically all the lustre is gone (from what I can tell from the photos) and so it is really difficult to distinguish between the two. As such, I think technical grading is not important relatively to eye appeal and the actual amount of details remaining.
  17. Sword

    New to collecting - my story so far

    Wales was once a Principality but has been a country since 1542. Surprisingly, many still think of Wales as a Principality today.
  18. Sword

    New to collecting - my story so far

    Nice coin and a keeper! The dealer's grading is more accurate this time.
  19. Sword

    New to collecting - my story so far

    Agreed that 1887 is very common in high grades. Many must have been saved that as it was the first year of a design and the Golden Jubilee was a significant event with people wanting a memento. I am missing Old Head and Edward VII shilling from my type set too. I think there is no urgency to get one if you know they turn up fairly frequently. And you would also be more picky.
  20. For me, having a 19C coin in a slab is more acceptable from the aesthetic view point than having a hammered coin slabbed. A 500 years old coin encased in plastic looks rather strange. Any potential advantage of slabbing is greatly reduced for hammered. Grading is much more subjective and less significant compared to eye appeal. Hammered coins can be handled more easily without special precautions.
  21. Sword

    New to collecting - my story so far

    Good suggestions gents!
  22. I guess the number doesn't matter now as it is in collection. But the option of resubmitting it always exists when it is time to move it on. Deep Cameo is always so impressive an older coin with no contact marks.
  23. Sword

    Ebay's Worst Offerings

    Has now been withdrawn.
  24. I would be a lot more keener on slabbing if I collect high grade copper coins. I think it is just a lot of effort looking after coppers and slabbing is an easy way out. With regard to the 1926E, it is a little strange that the coin has been fine for 80 years before toning kicking in. But I guess we are probably living in a more polluted atmosphere these days.
  25. Sword

    Possible Fake 1905 Halfcrown

    I do remember seeing that crooked I in QVI in an otherwise very convincing example. This example is not particularly convincing. I agree that it is strange that it shares the same telltale crooked I.
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