Red Riley

The beauty here, at least to my mind is what it tells you about the history of the times. Basically, civilisation was in decline from the 4th century A.D., didn't really begin to catch up again until the Renaissance, and coins reflect that. Between the two dates civilisation was hamstrung by the dead hand of Christian orthodoxy in both material and sociological terms and the coins of the times appear to be in the doldrums both in their design and the care taken in their production. To my mind the point at which coins begin to turn the corner are the profile issues of Henry VII, which exactly correspond to the beginnings of the revival in classical learning.

I think Andy Bruce gave up a couple of years ago. The BNTA is a trade organisation akin to a Mediaeval guild, as opposed to one whose main thrust is to promote excellence within their profession. Their members tend to be more old school and some think a website is where a spider lives! There are of course excellent tradesmen within the organisation, but most recent entrants to the business are not members.

That wouldn't have cost you more than a groat where I come from. What did you do with the other tuppence?

I agree with your assessment - gorgeous. Just to be mildly pedantic, I don't think that's classed as "hammered"? It just about falls into the "Ancients" class, though I'm willing to be corrected on that. Surely Ancient is Greek or Roman (and by extension Celtic)?

BU does get a mention in a slightly pejorative way. For bronze/copper I prefer to give AU + a % of lustre which is far more useful. Silver coins of any age will acquire some toning and therefore BU can often indicate a dipped coin. I have softened my view somewhat since then and use the term to indicate bronze/copper with more than 90% lustre. I have to say though that at one time BU was the most overused term in numismatics!

Here's another; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VICTORIAN-BRONZE-BUN-HEAD-PENNY-COIN-DATED-1893-INSCRIBED-/280895064839?pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item4166a68b07 but definitely not for the boys unless you like rather prim young ladies in uniform.

I'd go along with that.

No, I just chose to ignore it!

This is an interesting one. Came from a collection which was probably put together way before the current fad for crazy toning, and that is genuine lustre in the legends/around the design. Actually far more noticeable in the hand. Incidentally, I once had a GEF-ish 1868 penny which had that odd blue/rainbow toning on the obverse only, whilst the reverse was normal with about 20% lustre. One theory I heard was that the coin had been left for long periods sat on its reverse in a room and there exposed to cigarette smoke, such that only the obverse was affected. The conclusion I would draw is that under certain circumstances odd tones can occur naturally. Probably... Doesn't mean that awful slabbed thing was natural though.

Oh, that's awful. What a waste. True but the bidding would indicate that it is far from valueless.

Just one I think. Remember this is the Irish navy... That coin? Fair. The legend is readable and the main points of the design still present.

Got a letter a couple of months ago saying my retirement age (or more strictly the age at which I could draw my old age pension) had gone up to 66. Galling thing is that if I had been 5 days older it would have remained at 65. Never mind, it's only money.

Eh...?

I would go along with that (maybe EF/GEF) but grading anything above EF without the coin in hand is tricky.

You probably know, but in case anyone doesn't it's just a standard expression for something extremely rare. Bit like 'hen's teeth'.

Ye Gods... the rule of thumb I use for 1895-1936 pennies is that all lines of the shield should be visible at VF (slightly more stringent for earlier coins as the shield is rather more robust). Need I ask which one graded it EF?

Now who might that be...? Does it begin with 'C' and end with 'T'?

Can I just throw a different one in - tanners. They are really cheap at the moment and if you want a long run, go back virtually to the year dot. Somehow or another, I just like the combination of silver colour and farthing size, and as I've said, cheap as chips!

Blame it on insecurity. The minute you have natural toning which can take on any form there is an automatic assumption that it's hiding something, whereas a monotonous colour from dipping will show all the detail evenly. Bizarre really when you think about it - so many people who are happily taking a coin that has knowingly been dipped and therefore messed with a bit, in preference to a coin that may or may not have possibly been played with. I don't think it's that, I think it's more the simple fact that most collectors don't care that much, not surprising when you see that the majority of silver coins offered seem to have been cleaned in some way and dipping is certainly preferable to Duraglit. As we've said before some natural toning can be singularly unattractive hence why so many coins were dipped in the first place. Bronze/copper is a different matter entirely...

Yes But a £50 coin in 1969 is now £80 A £5 coin in 1969 is now £280. Shows you could and can still buy Turkeys (undated 20p's) If you want to buy inflation proof coins know your market on true rarities. Coins to avoid...H & KN,ME 1d's...46 & 49 3d's....52 6d's...32 2/-....25 & 30 2/6 all these in NVF or less are so common as they were plucked out of circulation in the 60's and hoarded. Here's the ultimate joke : (from the 1970s Coins & Medals Annual) 1932 penny BU ....................... £50 1797 twopence BU ................. £35 And this from the days when the average weekly wage was about £25. Two weeks work to get a BU 1932 penny?? I don't think so! Yes But a £50 coin in 1969 is now £80 A £5 coin in 1969 is now £280. Shows you could and can still buy Turkeys (undated 20p's) If you want to buy inflation proof coins know your market on true rarities. Coins to avoid...H & KN,ME 1d's...46 & 49 3d's....52 6d's...32 2/-....25 & 30 2/6 all these in NVF or less are so common as they were plucked out of circulation in the 60's and hoarded. I don't agree that the H, KN & ME pennies in TOP grade will not be inflation proof. But then I might be biassed I think I agree with you (if I've read your double negative correctly ) - however Peter was speaking of examples in NVF or less, which is a whole different bouilloire des poissons. Look, it's Saturday morning. I don't want to keep wading through my French dictionary to find out what you're talking about! Pas del y Rhone que nous.

And surprisingly easy to sell.

Yes, looks like it. These are actually much rarer than the pennies and as a result rather more valuable, and yes that is pretty much as good as they get. I sold one in NEF for £75 last year.

You certainly wouldn't be the only lady there and definitely not the only lady collector. Love tokens/engraved coins are quite an esoteric subject so no dealer is going to specialise in them. That said, many dealers may have the odd one or two and given the large number of dealers that have stalls at these events, it would be an ideal opportunity to go up and ask them and in my view is probably the best way to build up your collection. Given the type of dealers present I think you might do best at the provincial shows. As an occasional stallholder myself, I'm not sure how much it costs to get in but if my memory serves me correctly, Birmingham was free. Unfortunately I don't have any love tokens at present...

I have some pictures of pretty standard Victoria-Elizabeth II sovereigns/halves, ex-my website. You're welcome to them if you think they'll do the job.

He's probably got a little picture of you with pins in. Anyroad, happy birthday.