Ended up with Free Newspaper.

[Emperor Oli 0]

I went on the Coincraft site in order to email them and ask if they are going to publish a new catalogue, like the 2000 edition. And then I got a free copy of "The Phoenix" whatever that is. I shall report back with results!

[custard1966 1]

The Phoenix is a newpaper format sales list, with the usual Coincraft stuff as well as antiquities and some collectable hammered & milled stuff.

I've just started receiving it again after a gap of about three years - no idea why.

[Emperor Oli 0]

Thanks for clearing that up. So is it a subscription or what?

[Half Penny Jon 0]

I got a free copy and I have to say that I thought the prices were very very high!

[william 0]

I just avoid Coincraft completely...

[Emperor Oli 0]

I've heard good things about their 2000 catalogue though. That's on the top of my list when they release a new edition!

[william 0]

I believe that book has lots of different varieties in it

[Emperor Oli 0]

Yes, that's one of the reasons I would buy it. Plus I think it's A4 size so it should have some nice big pictures in it too. For all their faults, Coincraft does produce a cracking book.

[william 0]

Yes, that's one of the reasons I would buy it. Plus I think it's A4 size so it should have some nice big pictures in it too. For all their faults, Coincraft does produce a cracking book. Shame you won't buy it cos it's from Coincraft, Will j/k

I just avoid Coincraft completely...

What is in the book exactly, if I knew what was in it I might buy it you know! Is it a price guide? If it is, that would be good, cos you'll be able to see what prices are rip offs!

[Emperor Oli 0]

Yes, like Spink's methinks!

[Sylvester 15]

better than Spinks.

[Geoff T 3]

I got a free copy and I have to say that I have never seen such outragous prices printed on paper!

I don't know which is the worst thing about The Phoenix - the OTT prices, the fact that it's jam-packed with things like Samoan Princess Di memorial crowns or its complete disregard for the basics of English grammar and punctuation. I got the latest edition yesterday and it was in the bin before bedtime.

(On balance, I think it's its illiterate English which really makes me weep).

[Emperor Oli 0]

Ii got a reply today to my question ("Are you planning to publush another catalogue soon?"):

not at the moment, may produce an updated price list but in the distant

future. many thanks

So there we go, chaps. Sorry!

[Emperor Oli 0]

It takes a lot of work to produce a catalogue of the likes that they produce. It shouldn't be taken lightly at any rate - I'd rather have a well thought out one five years in the making then a slap-dash affair.

[Chris Perkins 223]

I got a free copy and I have to say that I have never seen such outragous prices printed on paper!

I don't know which is the worst thing about The Phoenix - the OTT prices, the fact that it's jam-packed with things like Samoan Princess Di memorial crowns or its complete disregard for the basics of English grammar and punctuation. I got the latest edition yesterday and it was in the bin before bedtime.

(On balance, I think it's its illiterate English which really makes me weep).

I don't like the way that the Coincraft literature really seems to sound so American.

Fair enough, so American English has crept in everywhere, and I'll admit that some of it isn't really bad, and I don't cringe as much as I used to at most things. I dare say when relaxed I may even slip into a little Ameriglish (do you like that!?) sometimes myself.

But I really cannot spend too much time reading a coin craft text without clicking on the right hand cross or casting the thing aside.

Did you know, the man himself (ever such a nice chap, of course) Richard Lobel, is in fact an American. I know that, because I've rubbed shoulders with him literally, and heard him speak at London Coin fairs.

[Half Penny Jon 0]

Wow, I didn't know that he is American. Does he specialise in English coins or does he prefer american?

[Chris Perkins 223]

He said he specialises in Samoan Princess Diana commomoratives!

(I really don't know, but I would think British)

[william 0]

He said he specialises in Samoan Princess Diana commomoratives!

(I really don't know, but I would think British)

Does he collect coins?

OMG, look at this: http://www.coincraft.com/british/bronze/712proll.html Why would anyone want a roll of unc 1971 2ps? Plus, what's the price? It says £18.50 in the description and £12.50 at the bottom!

[Chris Perkins 223]

Oh dear, the usual 'We found these coins in the vault that we didn't realise we had'. Who is this Alan magician that seems to make coins appear from no where?

And that's bordering on mis representation too, because it's playing on the 2p New pence rumour. It almost (to the untrained eye) implies that the 2p's with 'New pence' on them are rare:

Each roll contains 50 Brilliant Uncirculated coins, all with the denomination 'New Pence'. These rolls are Rare and if you wanted to go and try and find them, you would have a lot of trouble.

Very misleading for ameteurs, and anyone that buys those coins at that price (or the other price :s) should not be collecting coins. I would hate to think of someone buying those for a gift for someone too.

That is outrageous, do Coincraft actually have anything that wasn't either commissioned by them, or that is available in large numbers?

[Geoff T 3]

I did know Richard was American, but it's not the Americanisation of the literature which bothers me. Literate Americans know what punctuation is for and don't go putting comma splices and greengrocers' apostrophes everywhere. If I were the editor those things would never get as far as the proof stage. The people who write for me get shot at dawn every day for week if they murder the language like that.

[william 0]

Have any of them used any language like that?

[Geoff T 3]

Have any of them used any language like that?

They're all highly educated music librarians, so they wouldn't dream of murdering the language like that

[william 0]

Have any of them used any language like that?

They're all highly educated music librarians, so they wouldn't dream of murdering the language like that

Us musicians don't do anything nasty like that do we Geoff?

[Geoff T 3]

Wow, I didn't know that he is American. Does he specialise in English coins or does he prefer american?

His big thing is Edward VIII memorabilia, although I don't know if he as any genuine British coins. He certainly plugs the retropatterns.

[william 0]

Wow, I didn't know that he is American. Does he specialise in English coins or does he prefer american?

His big thing is Edward VIII memorabilia, although I don't know if he as any genuine British coins. He certainly plugs the retropatterns.

I wonder what he sees in those things. I thing they're horrible personally...

Yep, a whole list of pattern Edward VIII crowns, just as we expected...

Edited May 11, 2004 by william