newheart

Probably didn't understand "naive"... Is this the seller of this unbelievable coin? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Unusual-small-coin-what-is-it-/162720585108?fromMakeTrack=true

For anyone wanting to get a free pdf of Dalton and Hamer see http://provincialtokencoinage.weebly.com/ and see the "download book in pdf format" link.

I downloaded a free copy of PROVINCIAL TOKEN-COINAGE OF THE 18th CENTURY ILLUSTRATED BY R. DALTON & S. H. HAMER 1910. In it the authors describe coins as R, RR and RRR, I think it is a scale of rarity but cannot see a definition in the book. Rare, Really Rare, Really Really Rare? TIA, Pete

I am guessing it is out of copyright now so someone has scanned it. I prefer it as a pdf (call me new-school!) because you can search for any text string. Good point about the photos if they are all in the back. Well I guess a copy of Pecks will have to go on my shopping list!

The internet wasn't about in 1910 either, but I have a pdf of DALTON and HAMER ;-)

Is this book available as a pdf? I looked online but can only see it in printed version (and expensive at that!)

I am not sure if they created their own scarcity rating system, but the book is from 1910. This is an example of their token ratings:

Thanks Madcap. At this time I am just trying to decipher the ratings used by Dalton and Hamer.

Thanks again Rob. You said " if looking at Peck for example" - I have no idea what or who Peck is, sorry. You will wish you had never replied ;-) I quite agree these books were written a long time ago and the rarities given may not be accurate, but as you say, they are a useful starting point. So to recap, in order of increasing scarcity, we have: Scarce - R - RR - RRR

Thanks Rob. So is RRR scarcer than R? And does "Scarce", when used in the Dalton book, mean more scarce than any number of Rs?

I agree but even on Amazon.co.uk you see items for sale where the VAT status of the seller is not evident. If it is important to you, you need to ask the seller before buying.

I think it depends on the sellers location. There are special rules applied to overseas sales. If it is a major gaming company they will not be breaking the law, but will be using loopholes to minimise their costs!

Ok, newbie question: is this legit? The seller seems to have had a series of "unusual" coins. Are there modern copies of Crowns from that period? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=162715422468

That is so funny! Cannot believe it has had no bids yet.... PS think I am turning into a coin nerd.

There is a token/medallion for sale described as being made from " white base metal". What does that mean? Lead? Pewter? Thanks!

Wow! I am glad I asked. I was very tempted by this (I have an interest in the period): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=332410666481 So its a modern copy? Should this be reported?

Just read about Potin. Is "white base metal" a term used to describe an indeterminate alloy of different metals?

I was intrigued enough by this little coin to bid and win it quite cheaply on eBay. It is about the size of a farthing (approx 3/4 diameter) and says "By act of parliament" and "Joint Stock Provision Company". I have looked online but cannot find much out about this. Token? Gaming coin? Anyone got any pointers? Thanks in advance, Pete

The strange thing is that there is no sign of a company name. It is generic as far as I can tell (the edge is blank). So it wouldn't advertise a company very well. But I agree this is a plausible explanation! Thanks for the link Rob, I will take a read.

I bought a British token on eBay that turned out to be a recent copy. I opened a "not as described case" and won. So if you felt brave enough, for a repeat offender you could order one for a pittance then open a dispute and leave appropriate feedback. You would need pretty good evidence, so it would be a bit risky!

Help a beginner out! I purchased my first unidentified hammered silver coin and while I am pretty confident it is an Edward The something Penny I am not sure which Edward. Let alone the mint. I have done considerable research online and made good use of my copy of Spinks Coins of England plus "Englands Striking History" but I am stumped. I have taken the best photos I can, the top 2 are not quite a natural colour, I have enhanced the contrast a little to aid identification. The bottom is near natural colour. The coin is 20mm diameter. Cannot give a weight yet (scales on order). The coin 'feels right' and is worn. I believe the obverse text is EDWARD REX ANGL DN. Reverse more difficult, possibly COM G/R U/V EC NIVA IIP/K E. Pellet before the E of EDWARD. The N is of the Lombardic style. The cross mintmark is typical of Edward 3. Can someone can tell me if this is a tri-foliate crown or not? Oh, and if this is a modern copy, break it to me gently but this coin was pretty cheap.Thanks in advance, Pete

Hi Dave, welcome to the Group, thanks for the help and for this link. All the best, Pete

Whats the full title?

Update: I emailed Dave at www.grunal.com asking is this was one of his coins and he sent a very helpful and informative reply. He has given me permission to repeat what he said here. "Hi, yes for that one for a re-enactment group about 12 years ago. My coins are all identified by the mintname TANVATS or moneyers name GRVNAL. Commissions for Reenactment societies are usually customised with the groups name in place of the mint signature. For example a die set produced for the Woodville Household has the reverse legend VILLA WOODVILLE. It is very important for new collectors to invest in numerous books on coins such as Spinks Coinage of England, JJ North English Hammered Coinage and the Galata Guides all of which give the readings for the official mints. Any thing not to be found in these books should be regarded as suspect". I then asked what the reverse text said and he replied: "The Reverse reads COMP. OF CHIVALRY (re-enactment group) probably struck in pewter feel free to forward my responses". Which was good to know since trying to decipher it had been driving me nuts! A really nice guy who went out of his way to answer my questions and even offered advice on resources that would be helpful when identifying hammered coins, including info on Galata guides and BNJ and Spinks Numismatic Circular journals etc. I hope this information might help others.

Tiny pictures though. Wonder if these are all marked with a heart or similar?