TomGoodheart

Oh, and just out of interest. Am I correct in thinking that this is the first time our milled coinage has not featured a crown in the design of at least one denomination?

To me it's a quaint idea, but they seem more like commemeratives than 'proper' coins. The 'flaw' in my eyes is that the designs don't really stand out individually. Particularly the 5p and 1p. Even the 10p is irritating in that we've lost a leopard. I'd say the Scots have definitely got the best deal with the 2p. I think there will be a flurry of people in the pub trying to see how the designs all join together then everyone will get bored. In fact, since I understand they will be released as required it will be some time before all designs are available. Until then people will no doubt limit themselves to admiring comments such as 'wtf???' and 'scuse me but you've given me some foreign **** in my change dear!' * 'wtf' meaning of course, 'what these for?'

I've about 10 fake £1s ranging from the atrocious (lead, with a bit of gold paint) to the very good (more recent) cast coins. I usually find one a week, they aren't that uncommon. Hardly surprising given the numbers produced: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7144549.stm My favourites are those with the wrong reverse or legend. I've not seen other denominations.

The silver ones are half-crowns (12.5p) and are worth bullion value for their silver content. Chris can no doubt tell you how much when he's next online. The Canadian bank token is interesting but I don't know much about these! Hopefully someone else can help! Though judging from Ebay it's only worth a few quid.

I suspect it's a repro or recast of this John Kendall medal It looks as if the originals were bronze. My guess is yours is a modern souvenir, perhaps from Rhodes or wherever he was born in England? Though if it were silver ....

Oh, I make it a policy of whenever a new £5 coin comes out to get a handful from the post office and spend them! You should see the expression on people's faces - though I have yet to have one actually refused! (As you can all see, it doesn't take much to amuse me!)

I wasn't suggesting it was the same coin as VLC 77 guys, just that that example showed the 'ball ended R' clearly. You see, this is why I stick to shillings! For a start the design is bigger and variations between different groups and varieties are generally more obvious. None of those different moneyers to worry about either! Not that I can't see the appeal of pennies of course. I did wonder about a small collection of Cnuts at one stage - til budgetry considerations came into the equation at least! And you're right about the patience S - pretty much essential for this sort of thing! That and a good memory for detail!

Wikipedia says "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." In theory coins and banknotes do not need to be legal tender to be accepted as payment. For example the occasional Guernsey and Jersey issue £1s and Scottish notes. But the main issue is perhaps whether you would choose to use a coin to purchase something when its bullion value is far in excess of the purchase price. Or whether your local Tesco would accept such a thing. I imagine the looks from the checkout staff might almost be worth the attempt!

What fun it is collecting hammered! I have to say in such matters I tend to depend on others to do the work! I try to find somewhere that has plenty of examples and then start to compare - in this case I tried Antony Wilson's rather good site - http://www.yorkcoins.com/voided_long_cross_pennies_i.htm On page 4 VLC77 appears to shows a 'ball tailed' R quite nicely. But as for round eyes ... they all look the same to me!

Tee hee. A rather battered cartwheel penny for £12. Probably worth a fiver for 'interest'. Since then I have bought lots of 'gap fillers'. Later on they look out of place and I've regretted being so impulsive and not waiting. But that's life!

Ooh!! Anyone want my shilling? "Most Beautiful By Far" I'll accept US $3,995.00!

Mammered sixpence? Surely that's a boob?

If in nice condition, ie no dints, scratches at all, looking brand new, around face value in terms of cash. However as the starting point for a coin collection, they could be priceless! Because everyone has to start somewhere. And although these aren't most members' interests, it wouldn't surprise me if most (like me) have a box, jar or little bag somewhere with coins in 'extra nice' condition that we've picked out of our change! So I'd suggest holding on to them. If you don't want them, pass them on to a kid in the family. Maybe it'll spark their interest as a future collector! Then like me they can feel the excitement of finding something new in their change (in my case a 2003 (Give Women The Vote) 50p I got at the weekend - first one I've ever seen outside of a catalogue!)

Uncirculated? Not to me ... but then, what do I know. Apart from the fact that I wouldn't pay £1595 for it!

Yes, congratulations from me too. Mine is now 13 and time seems to have flown. Enjoy those early days. Once they can walk, well ... !

Hi Mike. Welcome!

Yes, I managed to find some old copies but nothing recent. Interesting site though. It'd be good if more things were scanned and available on the internet! I think Rob's scan may be the best option.

Or this one

Aha! Double Tournois of Philippe IV le Bel possibly

The two Lis on the obv and cross with lis in alternate quarters suggest medieval France to me. Bit like this one maybe ...

Well done on the E5/2 Rob. I understand most of the ones that I was interested in went to one buyer that Michael S was bidding for. I put in what I could for the A2/2 but it too went mad. It was a nice little collection though. I hope mine raises as much interest when I finally pop my clogs and the family get a chance to sell it all off! Well done on the non-Chas I coins. I too have mixed feelings about NGC and their (mis) classifications!

Has anyone a (pref cheap!) copy of Spinks Numismatic Circular dated April 2001 (Vol CIX Number 2) they don't want and would sell me? I also would like a copy of the British Numismatic Journal xlvii (1978) (just the issue for pages 102 - 113)! Any help pointing me in the direction of either of these would be much appreciated. UK easiest as I can pay by cheque, otherwise it's probably PayPal ... Richard Or ... really decent photocopies of the bits I'm interested in ... just a thought!

I recently came across an article mentioning the recent (13 July 07) US Department of State ban on imports of ancient coins from Cyprus or "coins of Cypriot types" which presumably also includes Crusader issues and some Roman coins as well as the more obvious issies.. The basic argument is that removal of ancient coins from archaeological sites is effectively 'cultural looting'. A corresponding implication is that the majority of ancient coins on the market have been illegally removed from their countries of origin in recent years (ie since the UNESCO ruling in 1970 (Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (1970)) In the US at least, battle lines appear to have been drawn between the 'numismatic' view and that of some archaeologists. Now my first thoughts are that the system in Britain (where the Portable Antiquities scheme and find laws apply) are different and also that some coins here have been circulated amongst collectors for several hundred years many with well known 'pedigrees' and provenance. Should these therefore be viewed differently? Or like the 'Elgin' marbles, be returned to their 'homeland'? Anybody got any strong views? Just curious! .

Quite right! And Congratulations (in advance) Hussulo!

Mine's just a 'collection' since I get very little sympathy from my wife when I want to buy anything. Her look somehow says 'haven't you already got a Charles I shilling'? I think that of all the sales of coins I have made, perhaps two brought me a profit! So if I keep on like this it will eventally be a collection of one rather expensive coin I guess! I have 60 Charles I shillings that have taken me around four years to put together. I have a number of rarities that would only appeal to another Chas I collector (for example the coins are the same except one has slightly curlier cross ends on the reverse or a different mint mark!) so it certainly is unlikely to make me a profit (not that I have any desire to sell). I guess you could call it an 'academic' collection. Somewhat unfashionable probably. But hey, we collect what we enjoy don't we? A Charles I shilling for 'the US market'! .