brg5658

You are quite right. The SOHO tokens produced during the 1787-1797 period are head and shoulders above the quality of almost all other tokens. Having read several histories of the period though, I'm not so sure there was really much discussion or competition by 1797 as to whom the crown would offer the coining contract. Boulton had been at the top of their list, and had been pushing for the contract since the 1780s. Given his full work of the period, and his astute business acumen in hiring some of the most talented engravers of the era, he was pretty much a lock for the contract. However, the red-tape to get there took nearly a decade to push through the official channels.

Here is my most recent copper token purchase. This is a halfpenny token dated 1795 struck by Matthew Boulton. It was designed by Conrad Heinrich Kuechler, a phenomenally talented engraver employed by Boulton at the Soho Mint. The token was ordered by Sir George Jackson, with the purpose of both commemorating recent improvements in navigation along the River Stort, and to provide small change for commerce for those living in the area. The complete order of these tokens, though dated 1795, were actually struck in May and June of 1796. Boulton adored the detail of the reverse river scene, and is known to have often said this was his favorite token design. Richard Doty, in his wonderful work "The Soho Mint and the Industrialization of Money" refers to this token as likely the height of all eighteenth century token designs. I purchased this token from a reputable dealer here in the USA who has been dealing in these types of tokens for decades. Though the price was strong, the strike on this piece is superb. I'm also providing a close-up of some of the reverse detail below. Truly a delight to view in hand.

Here's a farthing from my collection:

I'll link them here:

That's true for the US I'm sure, but the observations I've seen here are that they are not so good with UK coins. That's my perception too. I was referring to non-USA (world) coins in general between the two main USA TPGs. Almost without exception, when offered two coins of the same numeric grade from PCGS and NGC, I rarely prefer the PCGS example over the NGC example. I'm just talking numeric grade here, not either services ability to attribute varieties, etc. And, I'm also speaking with reference to not just UK coins, but also other European, Asian, African, and South American coins. Again, just my opinion based on my observations. Mileage may vary.

A few spots, but nothing too distracting. I like the amount of luster on this one, and the strike is good for the issue. "Scarce" token (a few hundred struck), created for primarily collectors as a mule of two dies used elsewhere on circulation tokens. 1792 Lancashire/Rochdale Halfpenny, DH-149

I'm not seeing any problems with luster in the 2nd coin, and the strike is clearly better. Sure, the first appears to be a bit more red, but all copper eventually mellows to red-brown or brown. And, I actually prefer the look of lustrous brown copper to flashy red pieces. At least I know when I already have a coin with even brown surfaces it is less likely to "mellow" over time to a mostly red coin with hideous spots. So, as others have said, if you must keep only one, I'd keep coin #2.

I think NGC is claiming that they have now graded more coins in total than PGCS. I wonder how profitable is their Paris branch compared to their US operations. NGC has had the lead regarding sheer number of graded coins for many years. PCGS is the one who is trying to catch up. More important than the quantity graded though, I personally find the quality of pieces in NGC plastic to be much better than their equivalently graded PCGS brethren. Again, just my personal observations and opinions.

Definitely 3/2. And, a very nice coin to boot! I love 8 R's!

It's disturbing that the images of the Nazi memorabilia in the auction are quite clear, but the coins are abysmal. Priorities amiss?

I was watching this coin last night, just for the fun of it (I already have two examples in my collection). I thought it might make it to $100 or a bit more...but, wow! I don't know if I'm missing something here, but it surprised me to see such a common coin go for such silly money. Whoever is the "lucky" new winner paid about 10 x (or more) it's true worth outside the plastic. Please, someone correct me here, and tell me I'm missing some uber-rare variety? For posterity, I also took a screen shot of the madness... Sorry for the "eBay complaint thread" -- but I thought maybe I was genuinely missing something on this coin? -Brandon

That coin is the 2013 Birth of Prince George proof 5 pound. That coin cost $130 at issue, plus $30-40 for submission/grading. While I still don't think it's worth the $329 asking price, it's a far cry from $450 for a coin that can be had for $30. Also, that "import fees" part of eBay is a complete farce. The shipping in the US is free from that seller, and eBay is likely making a killing on these types of coins when they add this "import charge" to them. This (among other reasons) is why I never sell on eBay outside the 50 US states. You are correct, i concede that one, i must get Glasses. On the Import tax subject, apparently the seller must oot into it, but i said before that ebay or someone is making Profit from this practise and really something should be done about it because they are asking for far more money in Import tax than the Import tax that would be due The other problem about it is that it's my opinion that many US sellers quite like it because it deters oversea bids. That's not true in my opinion. There are many sellers from the USA who have bidders overseas. Particularly the Asian market has a lot of high roller bidders. Several of the high-volume high-end USA dealers were NOT happy about the eBay shenanigans regarding import fees. Alas, eBay doesn't give a damn what sellers or buyers want so long as they get their (automatic) slice of the pie.

That coin is the 2013 Birth of Prince George proof 5 pound. That coin cost $130 at issue, plus $30-40 for submission/grading. While I still don't think it's worth the $329 asking price, it's a far cry from $450 for a coin that can be had for $30. Also, that "import fees" part of eBay is a complete farce. The shipping in the US is free from that seller, and eBay is likely making a killing on these types of coins when they add this "import charge" to them. This (among other reasons) is why I never sell on eBay outside the 50 US states. What is this 'import charge' you mention? I live in Arizona and never pay an import charge when I buy from DNW or London Coins. IT's an eBay issue, not other venues. You would only see it if you were in a country other than the seller of the item and the seller has opted to use the "Global" shipping method on eBay. Essentially, it's yet another way eBay has found to skim money from buyers/sellers.

That coin is the 2013 Birth of Prince George proof 5 pound. That coin cost $130 at issue, plus $30-40 for submission/grading. While I still don't think it's worth the $329 asking price, it's a far cry from $450 for a coin that can be had for $30. Also, that "import fees" part of eBay is a complete farce. The shipping in the US is free from that seller, and eBay is likely making a killing on these types of coins when they add this "import charge" to them. This (among other reasons) is why I never sell on eBay outside the 50 US states. 51, surely, or have we left? If we have, someone better tell Starbucks, McDonalds, and Subway I don't get whatever joke you're trying to make.

That coin is the 2013 Birth of Prince George proof 5 pound. That coin cost $130 at issue, plus $30-40 for submission/grading. While I still don't think it's worth the $329 asking price, it's a far cry from $450 for a coin that can be had for $30. Also, that "import fees" part of eBay is a complete farce. The shipping in the US is free from that seller, and eBay is likely making a killing on these types of coins when they add this "import charge" to them. This (among other reasons) is why I never sell on eBay outside the 50 US states.

Yes, PL means prooflike. I don't think you can blame the TPG for that particular oddity though. Krause lists this crown in two varieties -- the proof, and the prooflike. I believe they call it that because these were issued in special packaging and not for general circulation. It seems it would have made more sense to use the more common "specimen" designation or simply the "MS" designation. But, it is what it is. Basically it just means that the coin is not the proof version. With a mintage of more than 2 million pieces, and almost all of them saved in pristine condition, I can't fathom why this would sell for $460+, other than the reason Rob gave. PCGS has graded a total of 51 of these, and this PL66 (along with one other) are the highest grades given. I'm going to guess that two people really thought this was an exceptional coin. Given the abrasion on poor George's cheek, I dare say there are much nicer ones out there...even if not blessed by PCGS.

Oh, that variety is still common it seems...

Interesting. I know of Appledore in Kent first because of A.A. Milne's poem "The Knight Whose Armour Didn't Squeak" as a child. The main character therein is from Appledore in Kent. ...So ever after, more and more,The men of Kent would proudly speakOf Thomas Tom of Appledore,"The Knight Whose Armour Didn't Squeak."...--A.A. Milne

A little less than the normal quality I shoot for, but the strike more than makes up for it. This token usually comes very mushy, often one is not even able to distinguish the lamb from the lion on the reverse. This is one of the better strikes I have seen for the issue. 1794 Kent / Appledore Halfpenny, DH-3

Newman is still alive, so you would hope that they could at least ask this information before he kicks the bucket! He's 102, so your time might be limited to get an answer.

The imagery is that of "Liberty wearing the headdress of a Native American". It is not supposed to be a depiction of a Native American.

I hope you all forgive me for posting another Civil War Token here. This one has some die clashing, which I thought was charming (others may find it a negative). A couple small spots on the reverse, but nothing that bothers or worries me. For those of you who are familiar with the official cent issues of 1863, this one is a pretty close knock-off (save the "NOT" one cent clarification, and the missing shield between the oak branches on the reverse). 1863 Civil War Patriotic Token, Fuld-69/369a, (NGC MS64BN; Rarity 3: < 2000 pieces).

Lovely coin, and splendid images. Great representation of the luster!

LOL, yes it's got great appeal brg, is there an edge legend with it? Nope, no edge lettering. These are "small-cent" size, so only 19mm diameter, and quite thin. Much smaller than the halfpence and pennies of the "Conder" era. Excellent photos through the slab. I do find it difficult to avoid some reflection. Thanks, I have had quite a bit of practice. In the past 2 years, I have taken more than 10,000 coin images.

LOL, yes it's got great appeal brg, is there an edge legend with it? Nope, no edge lettering. These are "small-cent" size, so only 19mm diameter, and quite thin. Much smaller than the halfpence and pennies of the "Conder" era.