1949threepence

Interesting about adding VAT to shipping costs. I've just gone back over my receipts from various auctions, and it would appear that whilst Spink & DNW add the VAT to carriage, at 20%, London Coins don't. They have consistently charged a fixed amount of £7.50, for several years, including on my latest invoice dated 9.3.17. The cost of next day tracked delivery is £6.45, therefore £6.45 + 20% = £7.74. As £7.50 is charged, that would clearly indicate that VAT is not being added to postage, and that the additional £1.05 is for the jiffy bag. Colin Cooke didn't add VAT to postage either. As far as the £5 a day storage costs are concerned, I'd say that if, as John did, you've settled up as soon as reasonably practicable, eg: the day after the auction ended, then charging storage costs is bloody outrageous. If it's been a few weeks without settlement, then maybe at that point they could kick in.

I suppose "a very old penny dated 1912", might pass grammatical muster

I can't speak highly enough of Colin Cooke. Never been disappointed, and they are absolutely straight down the line, with every transaction. Bought quite a large number of coins from them over the years, and the service has always been friendly, honest, unpretentious and down to Earth, which is all anybody can ask. Pricing also very fair and realistic.

Thanks for the heads up, John. They will ultimately lose by employing such sharp practice.

I would avoid buying sovereigns on e bay. It's not trustworthy, and you can easily get ripped off by sharks, unless you really know your stuff, and even then you can come unstuck. With gold, go to established dealers, or reputable auction houses.

Cheers John. Fantastic items on offer anyway, and I've bid for two rarities. Good luck !!!

Great idea. I get so brassed off with blatant dishonesty. As you say, e bay seem unwilling to get involved.

You're lucky to have a manager with Rafa's pedigree, especially as he did the decent thing and stopped after Newcastle were relegated in 2016. I hope the Newcastle fans chant his name loudly at Stamford Bridge next season, after the appalling treatment he got from Chelsea's fans, during his time there. Anyway, sorry to learn of your Dad's passing. Some great pennies in his collection, which I notice has now got its own section "The Frank Stephenson collection of pennies", as well as a section for the halfcrowns, and a really nice write up. Good to see you back anyway.

Brilliant - I nearly spat my tea over the screen. Needed that laugh after a totally humourless day. Cheers Peter

Posted in "Coin acquisition of the week" thread, VS

I listened to most of it, and successfully bid for two lots. First thing I noticed is that whilst I started off viewing, it was not possible to view and bid, so I ended up on audio only. Second thing I noticed, which may or may not be controversial, is that with Lot No 208, there was seemingly a successful room bid, and the hammer came down - thud - then an internet bid flashed up. Actually it had flashed up on my screen just milliseconds before the hammer came down. The auctioneer then reversed the hammer decision, and let the auction continue. This obviously annoyed the room bidder, who I distinctly heard say "hammered to me", but the auctioneer disagreed. Should they do that once the hammer has come down? I suppose you could argue that the internet bid was made prior to hammer, but the room bidder was unfairly misled into thinking he had won the lot. I thought the auctioneer seemed quite rattled at times with the internet bids, and understandably in a way, as several were coming through, and appearing separately on my screen. But obviously not appearing on his at the same time, and when they did, I think they all appeared simultaneously. There was a clear time lag on many of the lots, between them appearing on my screen (and obviously other internet users), and them subsequently being visible to the auctioneer. I didn't think this was very good. I won lot 257, which consisted of an 1897 high erm, low tide penny, 1897 halfpenny, 1897 farthing, and 1901 (darkened finish?) farthing, the first three in GEF with good lustre, for just £60 hammer !!! - reasonable value I thought. I also won lot 266, the 1905 shilling in VF and pretty much problem free, which finally completes my 1902 to 1936 shilling date run, last added to in 2009. It was the one missing piece. Got that for £380. Hope it's not a fake. Lot 2005, the 1826 penny in UNC, was estimated at £500 to £600, but went for £2,800 ! How did everybody else who bid, get on? Well, I hope

They're going like hot cakes, 9 a few minutes a go when I looked, 8 now as you noticed, Pete (not me, by the way. Not yet)

It might be. I must admit, I'm almost inclined to buy one myself if only for the curiosity factor.

Pete - I've sometimes found that when I post on my phone it will cause a duplicate posting on some forums. Might be that.

Maybe he ought to consider taking his website down then, or leaving a merssage on it.

I must admit, if it was me who'd found such a mint roll, I'd release just a few, only very gradually. Probably still keep the majority for a rainy day.

Sorry to hear that, mate. Life can be an utter bastard at times

Well you have a good excuse if you weren't sent the exact coin in the pic. Although, equally, it would be interesting to have it tested, just to see if it is fake.

Precisely. That is very suspicious and sets alarm bells ringing..

I don't know. It does look genuine to me. No sign of anything obviously fake. With that said, you may find http://www.coinauthentication.co.uk/ useful.

What's your opinion? I notice the seller isn't a regular coin seller. His other items are non coin related. I must admit, it does seem a bit odd.

I've never heard of any 1841 halfpenny fakes, nor indeed any non contemporary copper or bronze fakes (tooled to look like a 1933 penny, excepted). Although it wouldn't surprise me if in due course some appeared. Maybe others know differently. What would concern me here is the fact that you got a different coin from the one shown in the buy it now pic. I'd take that up with the seller - do you have a link to the sale and a pic of the reverse of the coin you have? Thanks.

Some absolutely amazing pennies. Best LCA for pennies for some time. Literally spoilt for choice. This is the time when you need loadsamoney !!!!

Cheers Pete - must take a look

Not sure about a halfcrown, but I know that on pennies there has to be weight loss as the coin becomes very worn. It's certainly very obvious that they are much thinner than their non worn contemporaries. Although I've never weighed any.