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Like this one too. John you have pressed the right buttons with me.

Well here's my offering. Yep buyers slow to catch on LOL.

Well Vicky you are probably right, which really supports Johns point. Think its best to get in early before the buyers wake up. Mark

John, Your point is well made, totally agree. Think all 20 Century silver proof coins up to the 1950's are undervalued. I have been accumulating them for some time. Mark

John, Thanks. I have some old low grade silver that I will try it on. Thanks for sharing. Mark

"For a few quid it can become part of your field or experience." I'm sure I will succumb. Mark

Chris, The site looks good. Wish you every success. Incidentally why Arabic coins? Outside my field of experience but just interested in how big the potential market would be in English. Regards Mark

OZjohn, Missed this interesting thread having been away. Thought the results vindicated your decision to clean. Could be argued that it's not really cleaning but preservation. Just wondered whether you care to explain what product you used quantities etc Regards Mark

I think this needs qualifying, with respect. It's good advice for post-1911 (excluding rarities of course), but Edward VII has always been a very difficult reign in the highest grades. In fact, much - the majority? - of Queen Vic is easier than Edward. Certainly, if you exclude the key dates in any given denomination. Agreed, hence " Earlier 20 C be prepared to drop down ( if you can call it that)" but yes I should have been more specific. Regards Mark

VickySilver, Thanks for the confirmation. I suppose where the problem lies is that this area is almost the first place to show wear when considering the difference between uncirculated and EF. Just demonstrates the need to look at the whole coin. Regards Mark

Do you have any pictures? Sorry Peck I think I have perhaps overstated. Sometimes the mouth area of the " rampant lion" can look squashed. I always ascribed this to wear. However I noticed that in every other respects some coins were really all there. My feeling is that it could be associated with your description : " there was far too much metal on the high profile first series George V portrait (compare it to the Edward VII larger head but much shallower relief); this caused not only weakness to parts of the reverse designs" Hope that clarifies what I'm trying to say. As to pics I will see what I can do. Regards Mark

Dan1, Try and stick with BU particularly as far as 20 century coins are concerned. Earlier 20 C be prepared to drop down ( if you can call it that ). The point is at some point you or representatives of your estate will want to sell your coins. The further you go back the market is more forgiving. This is an opinion of course but stick with later 20 C in BU if you can. Rob is right be patient. Of course if you are flush with cash you can jump back and purchase earlier coins while waiting for the more recent coins to appear. Regards Mark

Peck, Thanks So on shillings could this contribute to why some apparently uncirculated in every other respect have a slightly punched in face. Of course I realise that this could be because of wear. However I have noticed some immaculate coins can have this feature. Regards Mark

Hi Azda, Would like to see that coin. Any idea of the thread name? Regards Mark

"Forget the 'mushy Britannia' - that is absolutely normal and standard for most GV pennies between 1911 and 1921 (the recessed ear varieties excepted). Yes, the obverse hair detail is faint, and that occurs often on the Heaton and Kings Norton pennies 1918-19 because they used dies way beyond their sell-by date. You would expect to pay a premium for a well struck-up obverse, but on your example, the fact of near full lustre kind of offsets that. I've seen a lot stronger UNC strike (London Coins?, a few years ago), but the lustre on yours is the first I've seen with that amount. Swings and roundabouts.

"All with the 'Tom Goodheart' provenance of course!!" Which has considerable value. Regards Mark

Azda, Yes do keep us informed. This is an area that is getting out of control. Think you have done right thing. Complain, complain,complain. Mark

Must say that the idea of slabs is off putting. Having now several in my possession I must say you get used to it. As to grading again cant really find to much fault. When I first started buying coins from dealers I compared how different dealers graded. As you would expect there was some difference. How found with CGS fairly good consistency. Bought an 1849 Florin because if anything thought they had under graded it. Try and get a pic up soon for opinions. Regards Mark

Bob, Really nice. Hope you didn't pay Spink prices for them. Regards Mark

http://www.jncoins.co.uk/JNC/en/bronze-and-copper/43-victoria-bronze-penny-1860.html Where have they hidden the extra leaf? I bought this as a Ob 6 wondering if it is in fact an Ob 5. Any thoughts. Kind regards Mark

Just got around to letting Lockdales know that I had bought this penny as a 6+g. It transpired that it was a 2+D, thanks Accumalator & Bronze & Copper. Anyway when I bought it to their attention they asked me to bring it in. I just live up the road. They agreed that they had mis described it and they handed over a cheque for the full amount. Have to say I didn't expect that, thought they would hide behind terms and conditions. It was back in September. So I'm as quick to criticise as the next person when things aren't right. Fair play to them for going beyond what I expected. Thanks again guys. Regards Mark

I have to agree with you on that point I reckon we are going to be seeing a few short reigns ( comparatively speaking) out of Charles and William.The queen is 87 I reckon we will get 5-10 years of her then Charles will be in his late 70's- 80's ( if he lives that long himself) so give him no more than 20 years but I think it will be about 10-15. By that point William will be 61 by this point so say another 20 odd years of him before George will take the thrown. could be an interesting time. You're saying William will be 61 in 15 years time?? Something wrong with your maths, mate! No sorry that was with both the 10 and 20 years from charles and lizhes 31 now so 31+10+20=61 Will there be coins or cash in any form that far out? Within 20 years we will be paying electronically? Will postage stamps be going the same way? Great time to be a young collector building future investments. Mark

I am trying to draw up a list. In addition to the following can you supply any others Uk and elsewhere.This is just to get the ball rolling. McSearch London Coin DNW Lochdales Regards Mark

Dan, It obviously depends on what you are prepared to spend on your collection. Here's some thoughts. Before you start with a safe think about insurance. At the moment you don't need to worry about either, from what you have said, what you have will be covered under your home insurance policy. If your collection increases in value, think market value, not what you pay for items, you may need to obtain cover under the all risks section of your policy. Do read the small print. Consider single items, how valuable etc. You should be able to obtain cover up £30,000 for just a few pound a year on your all risks section of your contents policy. Come back to me on this if you have problems. I have experience in a previous life. If your collection grows in real value, think thousands not hundreds, then a safe would be wise. Look at your contents insurance policy. In any case a good safe can be obtained for under £ 300. Get one that screws into the floor and and wall. Keep your insurance company informed if your collection mounts in value, not your broker. Your contract is between you and your insurance provider. Keep a record of your collection. I keep mine on a spread sheet. Include what you paid, market value( subjective I know). Might get a good idea to back it up with photos. Do keep this receipts. Come back if you need more. Regards Mark

Unfortunately not! The great problem with early Liz II halfcrowns - especially 1954 - is that even UNC coins don't look it, the design is so shallow. To get one that actually LOOKS BU would cost a fortune. Mine doesn't show any wear, but you wouldn't say the lustre was so strong you have to wear sunglasses. But isn't that because they are Cupro-nickel and not that nice shiny stuff that the Royal Mint used to use? So the "new BU" lacks lustre. Mark