Coincraft Junk Mail

[Rob 3,152]

My son's school library was recently sent a copy of "the Phoenix" which is Coincraft's sales paper. I can't believe the prices or for that matter the content. Front page news is the announcement that they have purchased about 380,000 predecimal coins and are selling pouches of 65 coins for just £28.50 including a Churchill crown, silver 3d, and 1 each of a Victoria, Edward VII and George V penny. Inside the paper you can get a scratched grotty John penny for £145, or a WWII set of brass threepences in average circulated condition for £7.95, or a very good 1797 2d for £50. Anyone for 1968 date sets at £9.95 when you can't give them away? Who buys these things? On the only occasion I've been into the shop, I saw a 1942 Ag 3d for £125 and walked out again. Tourists must get stung, badly.

[Peter 615]

I don't know who buys from them....certainly out of my radar...they were selling crap Eddie pennies a while back for 4x value.I suppose it takes all types and their shop is near the BM...anyone with a bit of common sense will steer clear...they do sell some nice coins at OTT prices

Edited January 17, 2011 by Peter

[£400 for a Penny ? 0]

I used to work just around the corner from CC and the BM, it is a tourist trap with shops selling Union Jack hats etc, etc and I guess Phoenix reflects that. The shop itself is mostly given over to 'antiquities' with few coins on display.

Did score my 1927 and 1930 in BU there however, but paid £30 and £50 cash and he wouldn't take an offer, wouldn't budge.

The dog.

[Red Riley 2]

I often wonder what on Earth they sell. A quick glance at their website seems to show very little that I would want to buy and what there is is usually very expensive. Their shop is in a great position but must cost a fortune in rent/business rates. I know they sometimes handle the sale of various hoards but I just wonder what else they sell to make ends meet.

[£400 for a Penny ? 0]

In fairness though, and to add balance, his standard catalogue reference book that he wrote is excellent IMO.

Much better than Spink.

Don't think he does it anymore, may have been something of a one off ?

[RobJ 0]

I have never dealt with CoinCraft personally, I had only heard things. Some things good and some things not so good.

Although there was an issue of 'The Pheonix' included with 'Coin News' just before Christmas and from what I saw, it didn't personally inspire me to want to purchase anything from them.

I have also heard that their Catalogue is supposed to be very good. Perhaps they may update and publish a new one? If not, I might keep an eye out for a previous edition.

[Rob 3,152]

The last one was in 2000. There are no plans to do another according to what I've heard. It's a reasonably decent reference, but like all such publications has its limitations and obviously all pricing is irrelevant.

[£400 for a Penny ? 0]

Mine is about 15 years old (I think - too lazy to get up and look) what I particularly like about it is his 'collectors notes' on the series and what, in his opinion, is a realistic goal for the putative collector.

It's a hobbywide tome and therefore doesn't go into the depth a serious type collector would want, but as a general work of reference, it's great.

Massive book as well - over an inch and three quarters thick in A4 and size counts, right ?

[RobJ 0]

The last one was in 2000. There are no plans to do another according to what I've heard. It's a reasonably decent reference, but like all such publications has its limitations and obviously all pricing is irrelevant.

Mine is about 15 years old (I think - too lazy to get up and look) what I particularly like about it is his 'collectors notes' on the series and what, in his opinion, is a realistic goal for the putative collector.

It's a hobbywide tome and therefore doesn't go into the depth a serious type collector would want, but as a general work of reference, it's great.

Thanks for the information Chaps.

Massive book as well - over an inch and three quarters thick in A4 and size counts, right ?

You are starting to sound lke one of those Spam Bots £400. lol

[Coppers 58]

My son's school library was recently sent a copy of "the Phoenix" which is Coincraft's sales paper. I can't believe the prices or for that matter the content. Front page news is the announcement that they have purchased about 380,000 predecimal coins and are selling pouches of 65 coins for just £28.50 including a Churchill crown, silver 3d, and 1 each of a Victoria, Edward VII and George V penny. Inside the paper you can get a scratched grotty John penny for £145, or a WWII set of brass threepences in average circulated condition for £7.95, or a very good 1797 2d for £50. Anyone for 1968 date sets at £9.95 when you can't give them away? Who buys these things? On the only occasion I've been into the shop, I saw a 1942 Ag 3d for £125 and walked out again. Tourists must get stung, badly.

Who buys these things? Just checked out their site and came across the following...

"We have dealers who try to buy coins off our price lists, but collectors always come first!"

[scott 144]

only coincraft coin i have is a very worn coin from some horde or another i got for £2 at my dealers

so someone bought something from there lol

[Peckris 579]

In fairness though, and to add balance, his standard catalogue reference book that he wrote is excellent IMO.

Much better than Spink.

Don't think he does it anymore, may have been something of a one off ?

Mine is about 15 years old (I think - too lazy to get up and look) what I particularly like about it is his 'collectors notes' on the series and what, in his opinion, is a realistic goal for the putative collector.

It's a hobbywide tome and therefore doesn't go into the depth a serious type collector would want, but as a general work of reference, it's great.

Massive book as well - over an inch and three quarters thick in A4 and size counts, right ?

The first one was (if I remember right) in about 1997 was a great thick softback. It reappeared annually as a hardback for a few years but stopped suddenly and mysteriously. The prices were a bit odd - notably higher than Seaby but when Spink took that over and the prices started to shoot up, Coincraft mysteriously stopped theirs.

But it was the first proper catalogue since Seaby/Spink, in that every type had its own reference number. And it had some good notes before every denomination, and in the introduction. It also had great buying advice for each type - things like "very common in Fine to VF, but genuinely scarce in EF or better", that kind of thing.

Richard Löbel was the editor and probably the main man behind Coincraft shop too.

I used to enjoy reading The Phoenix years ago - the blurb was entertaining - but never ever contemplated buying anything from it!

[Rob 3,152]

Who buys these things? Just checked out their site and came across the following...

"We have dealers who try to buy coins off our price lists, but collectors always come first!"

That's probably because dealers would offer a more realistic price.

[argentumandcoins 70]

Who buys these things? Just checked out their site and came across the following...

"We have dealers who try to buy coins off our price lists, but collectors always come first!"

That's probably because dealers would offer a more realistic price.

I find Fisons to be a lot cheaper when I want to buy crap!

[Rob 3,152]

I find Fisons to be a lot cheaper when I want to buy crap!

Don't buy it, get it free from the stables. Speaking of which, reminds me of the time when I carted a wheelbarrow full of free pigs**t home from the other side of town when I was young. The looks of disdain were a wonder to behold as I slopped my way through the town centre.

[Peter 615]

I find Fisons to be a lot cheaper when I want to buy crap!

Don't buy it, get it free from the stables. Speaking of which, reminds me of the time when I carted a wheelbarrow full of free pigs**t home from the other side of town when I was young. The looks of disdain were a wonder to behold as I slopped my way through the town centre.

Only Northerners would do that we get muck delivered in squeaky clean bags....I must say Coincrafts 2000 catalogue was good the pricing is almost right now...crap paper...but I still bought one.

[Red Riley 2]

Don't buy it, get it free from the stables. Speaking of which, reminds me of the time when I carted a wheelbarrow full of free pigs**t home from the other side of town when I was young. The looks of disdain were a wonder to behold as I slopped my way through the town centre.

Ee... where there's mook...

[Peter 615]

Don't buy it, get it free from the stables. Speaking of which, reminds me of the time when I carted a wheelbarrow full of free pigs**t home from the other side of town when I was young. The looks of disdain were a wonder to behold as I slopped my way through the town centre.

Ee... where there's mook...

Yer can't polish a turd...I'm off now but will be here all week

[Peter 615]

btw my wife is always sober and I never get Drrrrrrunk.Well something is true...Must pop down to the church now.Or the butchers for a bit of steak and a glass of red

[Peckris 579]

btw my wife is always sober and I never get Drrrrrrunk.Well something is true...Must pop down to the church now.Or the butchers for a bit of steak and a glass of red

Wow, your local butcher's sells wine by the glass???

[Peter 615]

btw my wife is always sober and I never get Drrrrrrunk.Well something is true...Must pop down to the church now.Or the butchers for a bit of steak and a glass of red

Wow, your local butcher's sells wine by the glass???

The village store is opposite the butchers...it costs a few bob to drive to a supermarket...over the cold period before Xmas I was buying wine at £5.99 a bottle...until I discovered flagons of cloudy scrumpy.I told Mrs Peter it was to cook the pork in ....she asked why it took 2 litres

I prefer to use the village shops...and maybe I will ask the butcher to give a free glass of wine with every steak.

A point to note that the butcher is far cheaper for meat and veg than supermarkets...use it or lose it.

[davidrj 194]

.

A point to note that the butcher is far cheaper for meat and veg than supermarkets...use it or lose it.

and usually much better quality too!

David

[RobJ 0]

I have just taken a look on Coin Craft's Website, and in fairness, they do have some very nice coins for sale.

It is just to me that they seem to be rather expensive, at least compared to other Dealers, and even expensive compared to 'Spink' which as we know is more of a 'Guide' than prices set in stone.

Edited January 19, 2011 by RobJ

[RobJ 0]

I prefer to use the village shops...and maybe I will ask the butcher to give a free glass of wine with every steak.

A point to note that the butcher is far cheaper for meat and veg than supermarkets...use it or lose it.

I remember when I was a young boy in the late 70's doing the Shopping with my Mother. We went to the Butcher, The GreenGrocer, The Baker and the Grocery Shop.

I much prefered that personally to the 'Everything Under One Roof' Supermarket mentality.of today.

I understand that it is convenient but it has sadly all but wiped out the smaller family run and self owned businesses, and I personally think that is sad.

[Peter 615]

I take my mother to the supermarket every week...however we tend to shop locally and at farm shops most of the time....I do buy some of the supermarket booze bargains...but even their prices have rocketed...my mum used to like those small bottles of wine at 4 for £5....but these have now reduced from 25cl to 18.5cl...she doesn't bother now...BTW Asda green can 4% larger is Fosters at a fraction of the price.

We still avoid the local pubs because £10 for 2 drinks and 2 soft drinks is too much