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In the rarified world of numismatics this may seem unimportant. However the U.S. & UK response to the Great Depression led to an increase in asset prices in the emerging acconomies as well as hard assets such as coins and stamps, throw in commodities as well. In fact, generalising, high grade British coins shot up in value by 75% to more between 1998 to 2014. Now Europe has surprised on the upside with its contribution to head off inflation. Just as the coin market was starting to look a little tired will this provide the next leg up in prices? Thoughts? Mark

Rob, with the recession prices did 'devalue'. Stocks, currencies, bonds, house prices, oil, and more reduced in value. About the only thing that increased was the dollar. The smart money was sitting on its hands waiting for the dust to settle. QE did work, and I hate the idea, but as Chris suggests deflation was not a good idea. I just wonder whether it increased the number of collectors/investors looking for a place to put their cash. Think it might again. M

True, but look at it another way, everything you owned was deflated, QE just reflated it. A bit like the emperors new clothes, as long as no one is looking it's ok. Rob your right in one sense, but if it caused new money to chase prices, it must be a genuine increase. Work that out. Mark

Very fine IMO. Robs coin is a good example of "practically as struck". Might be a good idea to download a copy of that and use it as a benchmark. I have done that with quiet a few coins and you will be surprised how often it comes in handy. Mark

Have you thought of trawling auction houses with on-line archives and seeking permission? Mark

My guess is that's the problem. When I open my emails on my IPad it invariably crashes, always opens second time. This started after the last update. Should be another update soon. My IPad is now in its fourth year, phone well into third year. Apple seem to have longevity built in judging by Macs. However ageing hardware and newer software may be a problem. Kind regards Mark

Well I'm the same as far as models are concerned. However it is relatively new so may not be the problem. ISO 8 still has problems. Have you just updated the latest software and did the problem start then? Mark

Stuart, What model is your I phone? May not be the phone. Could be we need another update with Isos 8. Mark

Charlie, If you do keep them in Acid free envelopes you might want to keep them in purpose built cardboard boxes. Rob has some on his site which are reasonably priced. For more expensive coins that you may not want to handle to often, plastic capsules work well. The owner of predecimal Chris Perkins stocks a good range reasonably priced. Mark

Has it been updated Dave? Just kidding, I'm on my IPad and it dosn't have a smiley. Mark

Don't think I said anything that would contradict that. Hence the suggestion to purchase a book. Just don't be in a hurry to buy either a book or a coin until you know where your going. Nothing contentious here Dave. Mark

Well Jordon, your spoilt for choice. Just one thing on books. Numismatic books are expensive, actually rather like some coins. So don't be in a hurry to buy them. Look to pick up a bargain here and there. Of course some are so specialised they don't date. Mark

Jordan, While Dave's suggestion is a good one feel free to ask. It's always good to question and you could spend ages picking your way through web pages and not find the answer you need. You will find many on here who will kindly provide what you need if they can, or point you in the right direction? If you find this area of interest, you may want to consider Spink's Coins of Scotland, Ireland and the Islands. The second edition was published in 2003. The prices are out of date but as a catalogue it is superb. If you are careful it shouldn't cost the earth. Don't be in to much of a hurry, take your time before you settle on an area or areas. Kind regards Mark

Damian, Absolute beauties. I have been working to hard at photography, what phone do you use? Wow. Mark

Take your time and insist on BU. Many are not. Mark

Rob, I was on the go the other day and didn't have time to consider your point which is of course correct. Adjusted description accordingly. Thanks. After doing a back on the envelope search through London Coins, Ac Search & Corn archives, coins from of any of these years in any grade is very very limited. Think I would say the 1854 is over valued against the 1850 & 1851. We are certainly pleased with the 1851 we have on offer. Regards Mark

Extremely Rare & Just Posted http://www.jncoins.co.uk/JNC/en/ Rarely available. Regards Mark

Peck means it always rains in Manchester or have I misunderstood?Mark

Thanks m8. I keep looking for ways to improve it. Want to expand it in time. Regards Mark

Well Rob, 1851 or the dates you mention don't come along in high grade often, that's for sure. You certainly cant buy any of them off the shelf. Mark

Infinitely better, I'd say! Not perfect though by a long stretch. These dies tend to appear in a fairly knackered state with either a load of rust spots or die fill. They must have been used to destruction, but at some point were new, so someone should have an example of what they are supposed to look like.It's quite possible that the force used in striking was insufficient to fill the die, as a lot of the halfpennies are very weak on Britannia's head and in the laurel area of G2. I think in this series you will need a full lustre example in hand to determine whether the cause for weakness is strike or a filled die unless the weakness is out of proportion to the rest of the design. True, however the coin that started this thread does look over graded at AU or CGS 70.Not for the first time that you will find errors in what is supposedly a superior form of grading. Of course inconsistencies can be found everywhere, but if you set yourself up, well the omissions are that much more glaring. Mark

Contact Chris the owner of this site. He has or is about to launch a book on Arabic coins. Mark

Sword, Good post IMO. The standard guide to coin grading covers similar ground in its introduction. The simple fact is grading is not an exact science, it's subjective. Anomalies exist. The best we can do is aim for consistency and that applies to TPG houses despite how they market it. Mark

Arthur, Do get the book. I have it in digital format on my phone and tablet. Your comment about accepting a lower grade with eye appeal is spot on from a collecting point of view. The advice in this thread has been so well explained. Once you get it you will move forward in leaps and bounds. You might want to look at at some Auction houses such as London Coins & DNW. Look at the archives and future auction photos and see how they grade. As your understanding increases don't be frightened to disagree. You will quickly appreciate that grading is an opinion. Try to be consistent and be prepared to change your mind. Mark

Chris, Does it work both ways? If a customer wanted a coin on your site and were buying from the US how would it work? Mark