Chris Perkins

Dear Lindy, To most of us predominantly British people in the forum the 'size of a nickel' means nothing! It's a George V sovereign (should be 22mm, not 19mm) and worth around GBP60.00 for it's gold content, unless it is in mint condition, in which case it will be worth more. Does it have a small letter above the date of the piece of ground? Chris Perkins www.predecimal.com

Dear Dan, Research has led me to the following info: The 1950 East African Shilling is made of Cupro Nickel, and is one of 56,362,000 (that's a lot!). It is only worth GBP2.00 in Uncirculated condition, and really just pennies in any lesser grade I'm afraid. British East Africa consisted (it no longer exists) of Kenya, Parts of Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda and part of Somalia. The GB Coins are nothing that special and you should see my lists of coins for sale on the site (www.predecimal.com) or better still, buy this book: http://www.predecimal.com/books/ccgb2004framed.htm The Deutsch Ostafrika coin is one of 1,300,000 and will show either a J or A mintmark. Both are worth around GBP10.00 in Fine condition, right up to GBP90.00 if the coin is uncirculated. German East Africa is now Tanganyika, sanwiched between Kenya to the North and Mozambique to the South. Thank you, Chris Perkins www.predecimal.com

Thanks Sylvester, I remember noticing a difference in the 10p's in 1992 and remember how pleased I was that I had done so. They were common then, but you're right they are scarcer now. I always wondered how vending machines coped with 2 completely different 10p's, and the 5p's also have rounded or sharp edges too don't they. Chris www.predecimal.com

I do remember a little bit of a thing about those 1988 Pound coins, and remember hearing that people were keeping them at the time. That took 15 years for the public to forget, I hope the bloody 2p rumour runs its course much quicker, or i'll go completely mad. Will just update the position of my 2p article link! Chris www.predecimal.com

I calculated the minimum odds of getting one are around 1 in 14,000,000 but because many collectors already have the rare ones in collections it's probably more like 1 in 100,000,000 which is probably less likely than the second coming of Jesus Christ, and certainly less likely than winning the lottery. Chris www.predecimal.com

With some coins it works better than others, and be prepared to fiddle a bit with the settings! Chris www.predecimal.com

I heard there were only 450 of the very rare 1983 with 'New Pence' coins, but as it was an error I would imagine there is no accurate figure. Over half a million 1983's were produced for sets. Chris www.predecimal.com

Absolutely right Darkmast, Wouldn't it be great if people looked around the site first before asking questions. I get daily emails about the bloody 2 pees, and all the answers have been on the site since June! Chris Perkins www.predecimal.com

It was very common in the Victorian era to have gambling tokens made to look like old coins, normally made of brass and depicting George III. If that's what you have it doesn't sound familiar, but I expect it is a gaming token. Are you registered? you can post a scan if so. Chris www.predecimal.com

Yes grading is the most difficult thing for beginners. I use a flatbed scanner at 200 or 300dpi and perhaps adjust the brightness of the result when dark coins are involved. Chris www.predecimal.com

Buggar, have they gone and repeated that bloody programme? Here we go again with the 20 questions a day about peoples 2p's!!! See here, i covered it a month or so ago: http://www.predecimal.com/newpence.htm Chris www.predecimal.com

Dear Darkmast, Well you may find my advice hub and listings of coins for sale will help you on your quest: http://www.predecimal.com/coinadvice.htm http://www.predecimal.com/coinsforsale.htm And this book is great value for only GBP6.50 inc postage! http://www.predecimal.com/collectors_coins.htm There are other sites out there that also have listings, none are of course as good as mine! Chris Perkins www.predecimal.com

Exactly how small is it? It could be a Farthing or a Halfpenny if it's small. Either way, not worth much in low grade. Thanks, Chris Perkins www.predecimal.com

No! Read the link from the front page of the site. Chris www.predecimal.com

Andrew, I think you'll have to keep trying ebay, I have seen them there, but usually uncirculated examples, so expect to pay 2-3 GBP each. Banks destroy old notes because any that were made useable would affect the economy (in a small way!). The old notes that are tatty and destoyed are replaced by new ones i believe. Sorry I can't help further. Chris Perkins www.predecimal.com

Thanks Sylvester, for handling this one, I get such precious little free time at the moment, and am also not an expert in that period. saintdaz, don't get your hopes up with values because like Sylvester says they need to be confirmed as genuine and the prices quoted from Sylvesters book are dealers selling prices too, not buying prices. Good luck, Chris www.predecimal.com

Thanks Sylvester! Anyone that can reply before I can is most welcome to. Chris www.predecimal.com

What does the legend actually read? Is it Gulielmus? because that's latin for William, not George. If you register you can post a scan. Chris www.predecimal.com

Then I imagine you'll be wanting secure, safe storage to keep them on display in http://www.predecimal.com/collectors/main.htm And of course a book that shows all the types to collect and gives values: http://www.predecimal.com/books/ccgb2004framed.htm Thanks for taking the time to use this forum. Chris www.predecimal.com

The Churchill Crown, you either hate it, or you hate it. Winston may have been a very good leader during those dark war years, and ironically darkness was probably the best kind of light to view him in! It has to be said, he was no oil painting! When he passed away in 1965 the Royal Mint produced a coin to honour him featuring his bust on the reverse. Many have said this was the ugliest coin ever produced. It looks like this: http://www.predecimal.com/forsale/crown1965.jpg What do you think? Just a bit of fun, if you say no, then please do provide details of your nominated ugliest coin. Chris www.predecimal.com

James, This is the picture of the coin that you emailed me. I just thought I would also post it in here in case anyone is curious. Chris

There was really a Darius wasn't there? Some kind of persian King or something during the Roman Empire...Can't remember exactly, but It probably was where the modern 'Darren' comes from. Chris

Dear Phil, If you register you can attach a file (a picture of the coin) or please do sent a jpg scan to cp@predecimal.com. I'm not sure what it is yet. Thanks, Chris www.predecimal.com

Yes I'd heard that some Irish Hibernia coinage was legal tender in parts of America at one stage. I bet it's an irish Half penny. Good luck with the book! Chris

Yes and the amount of people that contact me through www.coinvaluation.com confused about the date on their George III coin too, when it's really a William. Join me and lets educate these people! (Not that 99% of them care!) I'm quite a young man, I'm sure I'll be alive to see William on the throne, I look forward to it! Wouldn't it have been more simple if the Royals had broken away from tradition and called their childen by names with no latin equivalent: 'Wayne', 'Darren' (Darivs??), 'Colin', 'Nigel' or 'Kevin'! 'Christopher I' does have a certain ring to it. Chris www.predecimal.com