Colin G.

I think it is important not to read too much into the results of a single auction, sometimes there are auctions where the focus is not where you expect and you can grab some bargains, and other times when you wonder whether you missed something because of the ludicrous price a particular lot achieved. You have to have the right people in the room (or at the computer) at that time If you had several auctions return a similar trend towards halfcrown, then it could be classed as a trend, but it is just a single sale and there may have been other reasons why those pieces did not realise what we anticipated • Demand for quality material outstripping supply - Yes and I think this is why variety collecting is becoming more popular • Provenances - Agree with Peck on this one!! • The internet - And this one!! • Continual volatility & risk in the investment, pension, banking market creating a heightened level of fear and instability - I think it is still unclear whether this will have a positive or negative effect on collecting prices, only time will tell....place your bets now!!

I agree fascinating read, I think the mid grade prices will suffer, because the collectors that covet this grade range, will start to inevitably feel the pinch financially, and this will in my opinion affect prices. The higher grade pieces and true rarities will inevitably become investment targets, whilst the world economy is still trying to correct itself. I think that "variety collectors" are much more prolific than a lot of people realise. Since setting up my site, I have been amazed at the number of people who target this field of collecting. I know it may not appeal to all, but it is an area that allows bargain hunting to continue, and allows collectors of a series to expand on current collecting goals. I have to agree with comments that Peter has made before that it is mainly the publication of Gouby's guide that has triggered off the collecting phenomenon around bunhead pennies, and when similar publications are released for other denominations I have no doubt prices will increase around varieties of these denominations as they become sought after by the masses. Look how many of us on the forum are scouring for micro varieties, it keeps collecting fresh in my opinion!! (as long as it does not get to Batty's stage!! )

Variety or not (I couldn't care less to be honest - there are so many in that series!) - it is one hell of a beaut of a coin. Nice find mate. Oh but that is a clear error unlike many of the other varieties in the series....well worth a mention

Very nice, and well spotted...the problem is that Spinks does not capture all varieties and even a few major ones like this do not make it in until they become "known" Half penny variety collectors will be the best people to advise on whether it is a variety that has been seen before. Rob of RP coins may be a good place to start. I have no doubt he will see the post anyway soon

Not sure he can block postage to Poland now that its been bid on Colin, he can't revise it anymore. Peter, you'll have to do as Colin has said after the listing has ended, unfortunately i don't think you can revise the item now its been bidded on Or you can end the item early and relist. Nick is right you will have to end and relist.

You can block postage to certain countries by revising the listing. Do you want to block all sales to Poland or just this one? If you only want to block this one, do as Dave has said.

That's the important bit!!

But more important to make sure you know what you are buying when you are spending bigger sums!! Easier to make a big mistake, so choose carefully and make sure you know exactly what you are buying

Maxine, I agree some pics would be great

No, it's not money by their definition, but it might be "valuables". The thing is you are not "offering insurance", you are complying with Paypal & Ebay's requirements, so as long as you have the tracking evidence you are protected from charge backs. If something went genuinely missing when sent using recorded, I would be willing to refund the customer anyway, because it is not their problem and then I would take my chances with trying to claim from Royal Mail. Buyer's risk stands for nothing where paypal and ebay are concerned, you can splatter it all over your auction, but if it goes missing, the seller ends up paying out...guaranteed!! Just follow their guidelines and problems are few and far between

That's why it is better to do it the way Ebay/Paypal want you to, you can justify the postage costs and it protects you. At the end of the day it is only to reduce the amount of risk for Paypal but it just makes life simpler

Peter I only offer recorded delivery now when selling on ebay, through my site I will use normal postage at my discretion. That way I am protected from chargebacks.....it took me a while to change but paypal forced my hand

My thoughts exactly although its not local.I've been to Wakefield,Harrogate and a few smaller local fairs but I always tend to find something at the Midland. Oi get aaarf my land

Whilst detecting I have found more counterfeit George III silver than genuine...it must have been prolific at that time. Obviously the examples I own have suffered substantially as a result of being silvered base metal, although I did find a "nicer than usual" example of a sixpence the other day, I will try and dig out some pics!!

Those bigger Roman bronzes are always more difficult to locate in higher grades

£632.50 incl. premium Cheers Rob!!

Rob, Do you know what lot 123 in Spink 154 (12 July 2001) realised? Do you realise you have become the "google" of the numismatic community

Ooh now we are talking!!!

Oh, I accept what you say. But my feeling is that specially minted coins were meant to be admired as presentation pieces or kept as examples for archiving and study. While they can be spent as regular coinage, I don't believe that was what they were created for. Hence the distinction. Connecting them with modern tat was I guess just Cabernet Sauvignon driven hyperbole! Yeah, laik. Dem youff wot haz no jobs an is on benefits, Dey don pay no tax does em? (Sadly I haz no street cred an carn't keep up wit de chavese, elsin I'd be payin no taxis eeVah, no wot Ah mean?) I even heard the accent in my head...that was so bizarre!!

A very interesting thread this has turned out to be...I am also in the "few hundred pounds category". Mind you it's not through lack of trying, I just must get tighter as the price goes up because I always lose out!! As for favourite coin....that is sooooo tough.......can there be several? Do we have any rules in place or am I allowed to bend them? Some nice coins going on display

I also wish they would keep the tickets with the coin in question on bulk lots

Rob good to see you got one of the coins you wanted from DNW. The prices seemed to be quite strong throughout the sale. Tom just to show I dangle my toe in both camps, a hammered farthing I recently acquired

I agree so many variations in this series, you will be better matching up early milled farthings with Colin Cookes collection, he managed to list a vast majority of the varieties in his various lists

I suppose you will also get denomination collectors who may be looking to encase their collection and therefore some of the later dates will inevitably get submitted. You just have to look at the vast amounts of modern currency slabbed in the states. The population report shows 49 decimal 1/2 pennies graded and 162 decimal pennies encased, so the halfcrowns look quite sensible in comparison

Any farthings in there you want to get rid of