Finally got the Phoenix!

[Emperor Oli 0]

Hi all

I received my free copy of Coincraft's magazine, "The Phoenix", today. Utter, utter rubbish.

On page 2, they say that the last predecimal coin was struck in 1967, yet on the next page, they are selling a 1970 predecimal proof set .

Also for every order over £50, as their "way of saying 'thank you'", they are offering a Churchill Crown! WOW! Then, they have the gaul to say that "I have seen this coin in the National Press for £9.95, which is outrageous, we charge £2.95." As if Coincraft's prices aren't extortionate...

They sell a "Scarce 1997 BU set". Now this isn't the one issued by the Mint, but coins handpicked from circulation. I thought that to attain BU condition, a coin had to have absolutely no bagmarks, scratches, or any other imperfections. Surely coins from circulation would have these defects?

Coincraft are also selling QE2 BU pennies. You can get eight different ones for £4.95! They start off that piece by saying "You know sometimes the coins that you think are the most common are, in fact, difficult to obtain. One such coin in question is the One Pence coin." Isn't it the one pennycoin?

Needless to say, I won't be requesting another copy, I cancelled my subscription about an hour after I had received the catalogue.

[Half Penny Jon 0]

I got my free copy about a year ago.......its full of "scarce" commemorative issues and £5 coins priced at £6.95 (not including P+P). Do they actaully sell rare high grade predecimal coins? I actaully saw a collection being sold by them and EVERY coin in the collection was doulble Spink price.

[Chris Perkins 223]

Hi all

I received my free copy of Coincraft's magazine, "The Phoenix", today. Utter, utter rubbish.

On page 2, they say that the last predecimal coin was struck in 1967, yet on the next page, they are selling a 1970 predecimal proof set .

Also for every order over £50, as their "way of saying 'thank you'", they are offering a Churchill Crown! WOW! Then, they have the gaul to say that "I have seen this coin in the National Press for £9.95, which is outrageous, we charge £2.95." As if Coincraft's prices aren't extortionate...

They sell a "Scarce 1997 BU set". Now this isn't the one issued by the Mint, but coins handpicked from circulation. I thought that to attain BU condition, a coin had to have absolutely no bagmarks, scratches, or any other imperfections. Surely coins from circulation would have these defects?

Coincraft are also selling QE2 BU pennies. You can get eight different ones for £4.95! They start off that piece by saying "You know sometimes the coins that you think are the most common are, in fact, difficult to obtain. One such coin in question is the One Pence coin." Isn't it the one pennycoin?

Needless to say, I won't be requesting another copy, I cancelled my subscription about an hour after I had received the catalogue.

BU doesn't have to mean no bag marks or imperfections as far as I'm concerned.

Everything else is pretty much what one expects in the Phoenix. I used to get sent them in the mid 90's, but I think they stopped sending them after I didn't ever want to buy anything.

[Half Penny Jon 0]

I used to get then free with my subscription to "Money of the world" about five years ago.

[Geoff T 3]

Hi all

On page 2, they say that the last predecimal coin was struck in 1967, yet on the next page, they are selling a 1970 predecimal proof set .

Coins bearing the date 1967 were struck through to 1969 and the 1970 proof set was struck a couple of years after 1970

There's a masochistic streak in me which quite likes getting mad at the atrocious grammar, evident howlers and OTT prices in the Phoenix - then I bin it.

[Half Penny Jon 0]

Do they actually sell high grade coins pre. 1900 at the right prices?

[william 0]

Well, they might sell them, but not at the right prices!

I have never subscribed to it, and never will, unless i need something good to prop up my table with

Whoa it gets worse and worse..... Find out why so many people say, "Coincraft, nice people to do business with"!!!!11111!1!!1!1one one!!!!!!1!1!111one!!!!!!

Edit: "" makes !

Edited August 20, 2004 by william

[Half Penny Jon 0]

In their advert they say that you cannot buy a subscription to the Phoenix. Just as well!

[william 0]

Finally got the Phoenix! ...after three emails

Lol will you show us the emails??

[Chris Perkins 223]

Yes, and I seem to remember that 'Currie Motors' A London car dealers used to advertise on Capital Radio in the 80's. Their slogan was 'Currie Motors...Nice People, to do business with'. Shame no one else lived near London or is old enough to remember that too.

I don't think they're still going. Maybe they are, or maybe Lobel owns them too!

[Chris Perkins 223]

Ha, look at this:

http://www.curriemotors.com/

That's the US version, but same slogan they've used for 20+ years!

[william 0]

Sorry to double post, but i just had to quote this paragraph from a Pheonix advert!!

Coincraft is a family firm that has been in coins and banknotes for the past 49 years. Many of the items we offer are at large discounts to their original issue prices.[lol] Each issue contains 24 pages of rare[lol] coins, world coins, banknotes, ancient coins and antiquities.

edit: Ok maybe i didnt double post afterall!!

Edited August 20, 2004 by william

[Half Penny Jon 0]

Personally I think Coincraft exploit new and young collectors which shouldn't be allowed.

[Chris Perkins 223]

That's always been my point of view too. But as it's such a specialist field, who can really judge that their prices are too high? They couldn't be disproved that £4.95 is not fair for 8x EII pennies etc etc. It's tough, but perhaps it's part of learning to be a coin collector.

Buy a few Coincraft things, then learn where you can get geniunely rare coins for less!

[Half Penny Jon 0]

I have just seen this shocking offer in a five year old copy of the phoenix.....2x1967 Wide Rim halfpennies for £8.95! That is shocking!

Edited August 20, 2004 by Half Penny Jon

[Emperor Oli 0]

Well I just got back from London and all I can say is VISIT THE BANK OF ENGLAND!

The Bank has to be the highlight of my trip. You go in the side entrance off Threadneedle Street (Bartholomew Lane I think) and then into the gallery. It's a mock-up of the Bank's 17th/18th century Stocks room and has lots of display cabinets around with things like weighing scales, books, purses etc. Around the edge is a tour of the architecture of the Bank through the centuries. In one case were two Five guinea pieces from Charles II and James II which started me going just looking at them! Going through to the next room, they have the charters of William & Mary which are works of art in themselves. Passing through this, one emerges in the rotunda. In the middle, in a glass case, is a pile of gold bullion. Just sitting there. With one geriatric guard to protect it. Hmph! Around the edge in cabinets were exhibits focusing mainly on notes, indeed there is one whole room devoted to them. Also on show is some of the Bank's splendid silver - candlesticks and the like.

After you've been through the rotunda, or around it should I say, you reenter in the Stocks room. This part, however, is blocked off from the rest by some small screens. In some nondescript cases at the side was every denomination (bar Maundy money and the odd ones like octarinos) of coin issued since Queen Anne! They had everything - the 1826 £5 proof, Una and the Lion - all in great condition. I think most of them were proofs. Hardly any explanation of them was given and I thought it quite a shame. But still, I was definitely impressed and urge anyone who likes coins and money in general to visit it. Nearest station is Bank, quite obviously.

[Half Penny Jon 0]

Wow, I might just do that! I would love to see that £5 1826 proof you were talking about!

[Sylvester 15]

Manchester Museum on Oxford Street, they've got a load of hammered gold nobles in a pil;e and a few Chasser 5 Gn pieces. I don't think they had a Una though, but possibly an 1826 proof?

There's some gorgeous coins in there. (Presumably they are real ones and not museum copies of real ones that they've got locked away)

[Half Penny Jon 0]

I really need to make an appointment to see the British museums collection, I hear it's the best in terms of variety.