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This, from the interweb (source not stated, sadly): ""In 1891 a proclamation was made that members of the general public could hand in any gold coins that were underweight and have them replaced by full-weight coins. Any gold coin struck before 1837 also ceased to be legal tender." so it would seem that Guinea may have ceased to be legal tender in 1891 as they were made from gold and struck before 1837." However, this from Wikipedia: "The Coinage Act 1889 also authorised the Bank of England to redeem worn gold coins from before Victoria's reign but on 22 November 1890, all gold coins from before her reign were called in by Royal Proclamation and demonetised effective 28 February 1891.["

He makes the Emperor Caligula look like Nelson Mandela.

I was working on some ormolu clock mounts for a client when I remembered this pin. It had been on my desk for years and I already had the tools out, so why not. It's an onion head bronze cloak pin, probably from around 900-1100 CE and was dug in the New Forest around 30 years ago. First I soaked it in lemon juice and gave it a light scrub with a worn toothbrush. Then a go over with a nearly threadbare wire brush, the more shagged out the better in these circumstances. Next comes an initial polish with a series of rubber discs and rods, followed by a light spin on the buffing machine. This is the tricky part because I don't want to end up with something that looks brand new. Bronze is a wonderful material because it polishes up as shiny yellow as gold, imagine Bronze Age armies lined up for battle with their armour glinting in the sunlight. I just wanted this piece to show its natural beauty without looking like it had just been made. What do you think?

I have not bid at LCA for several years. The way that lots always seem to go at a maximum bid has put me off - I feel I am being taken for a mug. I may bid through Easylive as at least that way the auctioneer has no knowledge of the limit of my bids until executed live in the auction.

When were guineas demonetised? We know they stopped making them in 1813, but as the weight was 5% over the sovereign i.e. pro-rata, there was no need to demonetise them. The sovereign of 20s was more convenient than the 21s guinea. The fact that the new coinage in 1817 was reduced pro-rata, suggests the guinea continued to be legal tender. In fact there was no case for demonetising these other than on account of their odd value.

Just before decimalisation? I'd go with shillings and sixpences dated 1816. Halfcrowns had ceased being legal tender, florins were decades away, and crowns didn't appear for a couple of years.

Davies gives some details on the alloys. From 1920 - 1922, the "dull alloy" was used which has copper with either 10% nickel (from old shell casings) or 5% manganese. Both readily tone to a darkish grey. The "bright alloy" (just 50% copper) was used from 1922 onward and was also heavily blanched. I am not certain I can agree that the shallow portrait makes it harder to have coins in UNC. Any wear will make the coin lose lustre at high points and hence its UNC status, whether it is the shallow or deep-cut portrait. It's just less obvious with the sterling coins which are often less well struck to begin with. I think the 1923 is the easiest to find in UNC. It is surprisingly difficult to find a 1911-1919 in true UNC grade if one is very strict.

You need a copy of Peck. Appendix 9 p.608-12 refers. There was rumoured to be only three in existence in Feb. 1802. Then only 2. They changed hands for £400 and up. One sold for 750 guineas at auction. Finally, in April it was noted there were 11 already advertised for sale at between £100 and £400 each. Someone offered a gilt one for £500. Someone even offered to pay off the national debt in exchange for a patent to make Queen Anne farthings. Mr Average UK was, is, and always will be gullible, ever anxious to chase after that elusive pot of gold without question.