Paulus

There is no officially laid down grading nomenclature but most people go with (in ascending order); Poor Fair F GF NVF VF GVF NEF EF GEF AU Unc. '+' and '?' are often thrown in just to indicate that it is (in the grader's opinion) better than or not quite as good as the stated grade. You will also come across 'Good' and 'Very Good' which are only semi-official in the UK although the norm in America and an attrocious mis-use of the English language actually being less than 'fine'! However, don't let me put you off from buying the book... Thanks again, and BU being the very top grade? Two more coins for members' grading opinions (if people don't mind?) It wouldn't let me post any more pictures ...

There is no officially laid down grading nomenclature but most people go with (in ascending order); Poor Fair F GF NVF VF GVF NEF EF GEF AU Unc. '+' and '?' are often thrown in just to indicate that it is (in the grader's opinion) better than or not quite as good as the stated grade. You will also come across 'Good' and 'Very Good' which are only semi-official in the UK although the norm in America and an attrocious mis-use of the English language actually being less than 'fine'! However, don't let me put you off from buying the book... Thanks again, and BU being the very top grade? Two more coins for members' grading opinions (if people don't mind?)

I will now attempt to return this thread to sanity, which is rich coming from me. OK it's at least EF, whether it goes any higher is very difficult to assess on screen. Inspect the king's upper ear and the lions' faces on the reverse. Do they show any sign of flatness? If so, you have fallen to GEF, a little more and it's EF. High grade coins really need inspecting in the hand. Thanks Red, they are very valuable observations and underlines to me that it is a real lottery buying high grade coins on-line as you can't see them in the hand ... my ignorance is also embarrassing, I thought GEF was better than EF! What is in between EF and aUNC then, EF+ or something? GUNC?? Sorry, still a novice, I will buy the book!

At long last obtained a half-decent (imho) mad George dollar at a half-decent (imho) price ... does anyone else on here like/collect these unique emergency issues? They appeal to me primarily for the history they tell ...

I like that one! Did you hear about the dyslexic agnostic insomniac? He lay awake all night wondering if there was a Dog

Indeed you can, and they are dead heavy and not very shiny Magpie except in VF++ and above, careful what you wish for!

I would say EF/gEF. I'd agree with Nick, i'd go with the EF mark. Have you thought about offering some of your coins on the forum Paulus? Anything less than 100 quid can be offered here in the items for sale thread. It will save a few quid ebay fees as well. Maybe put it in for a week, and if no offers or takers on your price then list it on the bay.Maybe list what you're selling and then send the pictures onto anyone who's interested and maybe your opinion of grade against each coin. Just a thought. Good idea Azda thanks, I will, those eBay fees sure are a killer!

Hey, don't mock - that hole looks UNC to me! The seller promises that the coin we get is the one in the picture - awww shucks... I realise that a 99p listing is free, but how much does it cost these chancers to post an ad like that?

You'd be very lucky to get it for less than £100. Its one of those hyped coins Derek, like the 1979 Twopence where Spink has vastly over rated it. Only in Fine and VF. It is a genuinely scarce - even rare - coin in true EF or better. Well here's the obverse: Paid £166, I am pleased as I was prepared to go a little higher, although that is a lot for me and I am a little less delighted after some of the replies! Actually the most annoying thing is that it is just a tad too small for my biggest L***th***e 2x2 coin holder (39.5 mm), does anyone know if anywhere sells them slightly bigger? Nice example - EF I'd say. Good price too. My comments above were in reply to Dave's remarks about the 1797 twopence. The 1804 dollar is a lot scarcer. By the way, did you know your thread appears on the main page abbreviated to "Finally got meself a doll" ??? So I see! I have one of those too, a very choice piece except it has unfortunately been holed ...

That is correct - just 5%. I have never attended an auction, but have put in quite a few absentee bids and have won a fair number of lots. They obviously manage to keep their costs down by being largely a family run firm and by not spending much time photographing lots. In my opinion, their grading of lots is consistent, if perhaps just a tad optimistic - but offer a decent alternative to the larger London auction houses. Therein lies the problem for all those of us not resident in the south-east. You dare not bid blind. Unc maybe unc, but there again, maybe not. Anyone 'attending' the Croydon auction tomorrow?

You'd be very lucky to get it for less than £100. Its one of those hyped coins Derek, like the 1979 Twopence where Spink has vastly over rated it. Only in Fine and VF. It is a genuinely scarce - even rare - coin in true EF or better. Well here's the obverse: Paid £166, I am pleased as I was prepared to go a little higher, although that is a lot for me and I am a little less delighted after some of the replies! Actually the most annoying thing is that it is just a tad too small for my biggest L***th***e 2x2 coin holder (39.5 mm), does anyone know if anywhere sells them slightly bigger?

Have you seen this one Debbie, any interest? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1673-Charles-II-Crown-lovely-old-engraving-Mary-Russell-/120836633368?pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item1c226cb318#ht_842wt_1397

This one is for you Garry, don't miss out! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200697276765?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_141

Rather apt, Yesterday I was looking at the auctions of rare girl guides ones, then the wife came home with a unc one, suddenly I got given another in change by the bus driver, then another from Tesco metro in town, so I now have 3 rare ones, how rare, only 50,0000 or 70,000 struck according to whichever page of the RM site I look at. I also got a number of other designs from the bank without auction fees or postage of course Garry, I am interested as I was thinking doing this myself - did you say that you had gone to the bank and exchanged some cash for some bags of 50p's? If so, what proportion of them were commemorative roughly?

The bad news is, now it is circulated

And mine, it just about qualifies as a 'type' according to my criteria!

I agree with Tom. It's relative to the supply and demand for the coin, there seem to be many early milled coins graded VF or GVF (even by reputable dealers and graders) that in the condition they are in wouldn't sell for anything at all if they were post 1950. But thankfully there is some consistency across the centuries, so that inevitably you won't ever find any EF or above hammered coins or UNC or better coins prior to 1797 ... I have the sinking feeling however that I might be contradicted by some of the experts, of which I am certainly not one!

I didn't know the Fat Duck issued coins! I live not for from there - will have to see if I can get a tour of the facilities! I emailed her. Could we please have a larger picture of this coin showing the "unique" Heston mint mark please, we are amazed as the only H mint mark we know of is the Heaton mint mark. reply lol... err... umm... yes ..well. thank you for pointing out my error... i shall rectify immediately. kind regards, dawn. She actually has 2 Heston pennies for sale, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1919-BRITISH-KING-GEORGE-V-H-HESTON-ONE-PENNY-COIN-SCARCE-/170758681412?pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item27c202b344#ht_500wt_1413 , and she combines postage!!!

Sure. I much prefer them to the countermarked pieces of 8. (By the way, George III had porphyria, he wasn't really mad.) Thanks, I didn't know that ... as a kind of coincidence, I have just started watching the film 'The Madness of King George' half an hour ago, I wonder if they will put the record straight?

Sure. I much prefer them to the countermarked pieces of 8. (By the way, George III had porphyria, he wasn't really mad.)

They are modern concoctions, make no claims to be fakes, or genuine. They are just a pair of obverses and reverses combined to provide gullible consumers with something that they won't be able to sell easily in the future. The 1823 obverse doesn't even look real. Pence, not pounds should be the real price and I would recommend you avoid them. The 1823 'coin' went for £103, incredible!! What's going on there I ask!!

Just English milled silver for me, maybe I'll have to pretend that it isn't a different 'type' ... Do you know what the shilling went for and if so are you allowed to say? £2750. ex Ashby 2448. Thanks, I have contacted some dealers on-line, and if there are any dealers/members on here that know of one for sale please let me know, I have a reasonable budget for one! So do I That's all I need, two of us going for the same coin!

Just English milled silver for me, maybe I'll have to pretend that it isn't a different 'type' ... Do you know what the shilling went for and if so are you allowed to say? £2750. ex Ashby 2448. Thanks, I have contacted some dealers on-line, and if there are any dealers/members on here that know of one for sale please let me know, I have a reasonable budget for one!

Just English milled silver for me, maybe I'll have to pretend that it isn't a different 'type' ... Do you know what the shilling went for and if so are you allowed to say?

If these are mainly for investment rather than frequent taking out and loving, then acid-free paper envelopes would be ideal (they are sold specially for coins). The first, last and most important thing ever at all times with no exceptions is - KEEP THEM DRY!!! Temperature doesn't matter too much for silver, copper and bronze (and gold), but a dry humidity-free atmosphere is paramount. The second thing is to keep them free from pollutants - PVC, coastal salt in the air, acids, fumes, dyes, fingers etc. Lustre may fade somewhat over the years but it won't disappear if the coins are stored with care. I use the Lighthouse self-adhesive 2x2 coin holders, are these then less than ideal for top condition coins? If so I had no idea and am a bit shocked (although I am a naive and ignorant relative newbie!) Paul