Unwilling Numismatist

This is very reassuring, I've noticed the teeth differences and counted slight variations wiith relation to the bust and legend - I only started looking this closely to see if there was an easy way to spot the satin ones, but I feel I may go through many more pairs of glasses looking! If only the RM would have continued using die numbers, life would be far simpler.

I've not consciously clocked any so far in my viewings, but I suspect there are at least 2 - I think the rotation of Churchills' bust is very slightly rotated on one, but need to accurately photograph them to check for sure as its only a degree or so. More to follow if I'm not bonkers, but basically where he appears to be looking is into the Left leg of the R rather than directly up the back or the R in Churchill.

it very well could be, they're extremely hard to photograph in a manner that can show the difference between a normal and a satin finish. @VickySilver was most kind in sending me some images of satin ones, but he agreed too that the images didn't do the finish any justice. I have a couple more of these coming (10million to 1 against) that they aren't satin, but I only bought them to try to get a good overview of the range of finishes these things can display, to try to create a good reference point of what isn't a satin finish. Obviously I'd love to stumble across one for a quid, but as yet I ain't that lucky I should be able to get a decent set of "not" images up next week.

is it two halves stuck together? - check for a join or show a picture of the edge. Many of these were made (rather poorly) and have little to no value it seems.

I'd like to see an image in daylight before deciding on a chem clean or not. It's certainly had contact with something, whether deliberate or accidental it's impssible to say. (I am now better at fence-sitting, +1)

Whatever floats your boat ..... Her Maj in chest straps and the small crown. No, not my cup Tea.

I was thinking brown sauce or coke... a shame, but still plenty of coin left.

Loving it, make plenty of notes and pictures, it could make a great write-up somewhere

I heartily recommend the probe! I have an E-Trac myself.

Indeed, and by virtue of that, there is hope that some of them will go on to realise the beauty of older coinage.

They don't actually sell 2018 Newtons, thats what makes them so unique - few minted, not for circulation and not sold elsewhere at all (excepting ebay).

As a newbie I'd say Freeman 258 dies 1+A. Please allow time for cleverer people to correct me:) oh, nice coin too! I like a good Vicky.

Food for thought... but I think the answer will be "I can get 50 quid for it on ebay!" I didn't raise 'em silly

I made the mistake of thinking my daughters wouldn't want theirs, given their disapproval of my other numismatic interests ..... silly me, the current generation seem to believe that new + shiny = better than old stuff.

Not sure, I'd guess about 1k a week.. and running since New Years day.

Take a look at Kew and the olympic swimmer with lines. 50 quid is chump change

Given that there are som many available, table levelling is an extraordinarily good use for them!

The Strike your Own coin *at the moment* is a 2018 Isaac newton 50p - These will never be released for circulation, so the only 2 ways of getting one are go and strike one, or visit Ebay where people are paying bizarre money. No idea what they'll get to in future, but I have a couple set aside in case it gets silly *note - Strike your own is one per preson and costs £5 (or 2 for 7.50 so go with a friend )

the 2017 was a good one, the 2018 looks even better, so looking forward to getting that soon. While I was there I picked up a strike your own 50p or 4 Sold one on ebay for 50 quid which pretty much covered the outing, might go again while its a worthwhile trip!

Must be somewhere intellectual, I can't find it in my usual repotoire of rags

You could ... toss a coin?

It certainly looks "ok" (I wouldn't peronally want it though) - I've been looking at 1887 crowns for months aiming for the right one (bidding for a bragain of good quality), and the think I'd say most about these is that if you can see both sides of the chest straps you're probably as close to mint as you can get - in this one only 1 side is visible. In a world where everyone has a camera on their phones, I find it impossible people are unable to photograph coins for ebay without getting them blurry (or take that as they're blurry because the item for sale is crap). As for some clarity on what isn't a good one ... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1887-CROWN-VICTORIA/183034951765?hash=item2a9dbbb855:g:WBAAAOSwXOVaaGsq This is so bad I laughed!

I have both issues, I have not enough cash and want too many coins. After some sage advice from our own @UPINSMOKE I'm only buying what is really worth buying inside my budget, so the money I do have is growing, and with it, the option of better is becoming far more realistic. No point in buying things only to wish you'd done it better in the first place! (and not having the hassle of re-sale and fees taking what meagre gains you did make away again) Happy buying, Craig!

Stu, thank you - thats awesome!

It's only "Arthur" a coin - but I always like finding them (Even when it's been in a box for 10 years hiding) I believe it could be John, although really I should hedge my bets and go with "a King of England" given my ability with these Many thanks in advance!