Sword

And I like this one best. 50km northeast of Budapest https://www.escape.com.au/news/funny-road-signs-from-around-the-world/news-story/a79c5b5e7637dd5bc3ddad63ace2823e

Some amusing road signs from The Sun:

Fair enough 🙂

For silver, I guess George III crowns are not difficult to find in near UNC condition as they were delivered to the banks warped individually in soft paper. The crown had not been minted for such a long time and many people wanted to save an example. Young Head crowns are very rare and expensive in UNC. There is a big price difference between EF and VF also; VF or below are common. I guess the limited mintage coupled with the large number of years in circulation before the Jubilee and Old Head kicking in have created many worn examples. I can understand why the 1887 crowns are common in UNC because it was the first year of mintage and it commemorated Victoria's Golden Jubilee which was an important event. But I am rather surprised why the later years of the Jubilee crowns are still relative common in UNC given so many books have commented on the unpopularity of the design. Why save something that's unpopular?

I don't know how the farthings were actually toned in the mint. However, if the "mint toning" can be so easily removed by dipping into something, then I guess there will be more of these around?

One related question I often ask myself is in addition of the percentage of a coinage still in existence, approximately what fraction are still in UNC? For example, for an affordable but somewhat scarce coin like the 1894 halfcrown (with mintage of 1.5 million), would the number of UNC coins today still be in excess of 200?

Why hang on to them if you have so many? I would have got rid of them when the price of silver is high. Would free up some space and some cash.

MS or not, it is not something I want to have in my collection.

My suggestion of commemorating Dickensian characters was rather tongue in cheek. The great number will bore most people to death. Also imagine having Bill Sikes or Fagin on the same coin as the Queen. I think his novels would indeed make rather nice reverses if done properly. I suppose starting with Hard Times and Great Expectations would be somewhat cliché but apt. Bleak House wouldn't be a good follow up after these two.

If the RM decides to mint coins commemorating Dickensian characters, then there are enough to go on to the next century.

The previous owners obviously wanted to keep it shiny and the damage has developed over many years. The extra wear after each polishing wouldn't be noticed.

This example is for sale in the next LCA. It's almost impossible to believe that it can get to this grade by normal "circulation". It must have been manually polished often in the past. I have never seen a wreath crown with so much wear.

If Alastair Campell doesn't want to accept the Brexit 50p, then it is simply his choice and he is not bothering anyone. However, I do find the statement "it should be boycotted by all literate people" somewhat insulting. It implies that you are not really literate if you don't agree with using the "oxford comma". I am rather inclined to think that the majority of "literate" people believe that the "oxford comma" is optional in this situation. It's like saying to someone that they should never wear a blue suit to an interview and grey must be colour. It comes across as opinionated and rather out of touch.

"BRITT OMN REGINA", Queen of all Britons was dropped as recognition of our Queen's relationship with the Commonwealth. The nations in the Commonwealth realm recognise the Queen as their monarch. Some nations in the Commonwealth have became republics and they recognise the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth but not as monarch. Hence our Queen is also the Queen of many other nations and the Head of a number of others.

Yes, it is a very rare variety but haven't you just posted a photo of an ordinary penny? Here is the only known example.

They should have allowed people to pay a deposit and pre order. Then the mint can make just the correct number to satisfy demand. The date was effectively written in stone after the general election.

😀 But as a penny collector, you would pay a lot more money for dates having inverted ones though.

It is if you include the 8:08pm bit ... (yes, I realised I was pushing it)

Come to think of it, we should have asked for 02/02/2020 to be Brexit Date instead of the rather ordinary 31/01/20. (But I doubt somehow that EU would agree)

I remember the Beijing Olympics starting at 8:08pm on 08/08/08. That's also a palindrome.

I think it is just some problem in translation. It probably relate to the strike of the coin. I have used Google translate on the paragraph on "coinage" and got the following: "Coining In evaluating a coin, it is very important, especially for the oldest ones, in particular for those minted with a hammer, to examine the quality of the production process and the materials used for minting. Specimens that have a large fracture-free rod, where minting is centered both on the straight and on the reverse, will receive a high rating. Coins that show a minting with a strong beat such as to produce high reliefs, will also receive a high price. On the contrary, specimens made with an insufficient beat or that have coinage slips, will obtain a lower rating. The same importance is reserved for the production made with non-worn and non-rusty coins."

Since the Royal Mint is State owned, it ought to be making as much money as it can. They should have sold the thing at a higher issue price and have a higher mintage. I mean why a mintage of 1500 for a gold proof? At least go for 2020 pieces and say that's because it is the year of brexit.

Of course you wouldn't. Destroying 50p coins is also a silly thing that people won't do either. :-) There are however reports that some people won't accept them; Alastair Campbell because he doesn't believe in the slogan, and Philip Pullman said it should be "boycotted by all literate people". Hence, you have an even bigger chance of building a hoard if you want to.

Scare? Dream on!

The prices are finally out on the Royal Mint site: Price LEP Gold Proof £945.00 1500 Silver Proof £60.00 47000 Brilliant Uncirculated £10.00 Unlimited Two-coin set £30.00 5000 Strike on the Day Sovereign £800.00 1500 A number of gold Sovereigns will be struck on the day and these particular coins will feature a portcullis privy mark. I really want to get a BU example. It will however cost me 50p as I will get one from post office or bank or circulation 😀 As usual, I prefer to collect a currency coin than a proof.