coinmerchant

I acquired this coin in a job lot I won in a coin auction, not eBay a few years ago. Although the coin looks genuine, I am not sure now, has the weight is 8.10 grams, not 8.0. The size is correct at 27.3 mm. I have checked other Fifty pence pieces and they weigh exactly 8.00 grams Could this be a copy or fake? I would be most grateful for your expert help. William

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Recently the Royal Mail Lost two Commemorative Royal Mint presentation packs enclosing a fifty pence. According to the Royal Mint website, both of these coins will not enter circulation and banks are unlikely to accept them. What I don't understand, compensation was paid for exactly the same coins last year, but now they are classed as legal tender and must be sent by Special Delivery. Would be interested to know if any other members have had similar problems. Best William

Thank you very much for your input. According to Wikipedia these coins are refer to as Non-circulating legal tender( NCLT) Which means they could be circulated, but are not because of their issue price/melt value is significantly above the arbitrary legal tender value placed thereon. Jerry, you made a interesting point about the re-imbursement of the ‘presentation pack. To be honest though, its probably not worth the hassle. William

At the moment I am storing my low grade silver coins in poly coin bags. Are these safe for long term storage. Any suggestions, regarding a better solution. William

Thanks Rob

I have in my possession a 1668 Charles II crown. What exactly does it mean by inverted on this particular coin. Does it mean the letters are inverted on the obverse side, or some letters are the right side up and others inverted. Any advice would be appreciated. Best William

I know grading coins is a subjective issue. But generally what companies, Auctioneers and Dealers are the most Conservative/accurate graders. Thanks William

LCA: I presume you mean London Coin Auctions.

Acquired this coin in a auction lot I won recently. Looks to be in nice condition, possibly very fine to my untrained eye. Unfortunately I notice there are two tiny holes in the rim. So question is - how much does this devalued the coin? Again my thanks to any answers received on this topic. William

The CGS website has been down for a couple of days, since i tried to use it. Any reason for this.

Yes Coinery, I know the coin world takes no prisoners.

Oops! I did not realise I was doing that. I do normally hold my coins correctly. Regarding the ex-mount, no excuse, I did actually view the lot and to be honest, I'm sure this was accounted for in the auction price, which in IMHO was quite reasonable. In Spinks 2013 its priced at £300 VF - Maybe put it on eBay for something between £100 - £150 ex-mount. Any suggestions. Thanks William

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Thank you for your replies and advice. William

Got this In a collection I purchased recently. Any Idea whether this is damage or a error strike caused during the minting process. Also, is this coin now only worth the silver value? Be grateful for any views on this oddity. Best William

Do not have a great deal of knowledge about coin collecting. But I have some coins like this, which have a brown sticky substance on the Obverse and Reverse. I would imagine they would best sold as junk/scrap silver. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks William

Hello, Recently acquired this1845 Victoria Crown. Unfortunately I have a horrible feeling this coin has been cleaned at some time. I would grateful for any opinions. Thanks William

£130.00 - £200.00 Cleaned on eBay in very fine grade, having taken a look on completed listings. Plenty of nice shiny coins on there. Could make a nice profit! But I will be returning the coin.

Hi Vicky, Well, I must be a very naive person then. I would expect it on the Bay, but not from a bone fide dealer. To any budding coin collector, be very carefully, trust no one!

Thanks for the comments, and to tell you the truth, I'm a little surprised. I purchase this coin yesterday off a well know dealer, and according to his own words has been in the business for thirty five years! Of course he will take the coin back, and refund, but that's not the point. The dealer, should at least mention that the coin may have been cleaned in the past. Just for interest, how much would this coin be worth now, to other collectors, taking into account the cleaning and graded very fine. I 'm sure I could sell it on eBay for about £150.00 and get the price, but that would not be right, would it! Cheers William

I must thank all the members that have replied to this thread and giving me some excellent advice, which has been taken on board. I spent yesterday afternoon, calulating the value of the two lots I purchase through the saleroom recently. I use the Grading British coins by Derek Francis Allen, and was very strict with my grading, possibly under grading, so as not to kid myself. There were a total of 19 coins all crowns, mostly late Victorian, some 1821 George IV and 1844/1847 young head. I first used Collectors Coins GB 2011 Edition and total valuation was above what I paid for by around 15%. I then used eBays Completed price search and using the lower prices was about 5% up. So taken all things into account, especially as I am very new to coin collecting, I don't really have much to complain about really. I'm more annoyed with myself, regarding bidding for a mixed grade lot, which really tells you nothing about the grades, and was rather stupid to bid on in the first place, without seeing the coins in person. Cheers William

Hello, I'm a new member here, and have just started collecting coins, and recently been purchasing coin lots at auctions with mixed results. Unfortunately I took the gamble of bidding on ten victorian silver coins through the saleroom, and have notice that on the 1847 young head crown in around fair condition, there are two minute holes on the edge/rim of the coin. Also another coin a 1895 old head, appears to have been cleaned. Obviously this will reduce the value of these coins, possibly to scrap value. I know its Caveat Emptor, but should have the auctioneer mention this in the description, as it is impossible for internet buyers to know about this. Should I sell these problems coins on eBay, with of course, describing these flaws/ or let them go as scrap? I have tried to attach a image file, but the file is showing as too big. Your advice would be most appreciated. William

Hi, Just done a weight & measurement check on my Victorian Crowns. Notice that the old head, seems to weigh around 28.05g, compare to the Jubilee head 28.30g on average. Can't see any real difference in condition, possibly the jubilee is very fine, to the old head good fine. I notice according to Chris Perkins Collectors Coins GB book, he does state approx regarding the weight of Victorian Silver Crowns, so hopefully this is not significant. Maybe some one can advise on this.