TomGoodheart

Well, I have returned my Acceptable Use Policy affidavit to PayPal as required and am waiting to see if it's all resolved. Of course, I don't really see the point, given that I didn't know I was doing anything wrong in the first place, so I have no idea how I can confidently state that I shan't do anything wrong in future! But as I'm sure this is a policy thought up by lawyers and consequently not grounded in any form of reality recognised by humans perhaps that doesn't matter? I just hope they don't top it all by sending me a survey asking how I found the experience to help them improve their customer service, or I shall lose my account for sure!

I think it's that PayPal are afraid of action by OFAC. The articles I read suggest that at the same time there are more moves to drop the embargo OFAC have said they are beefing up their prosecutions of any breaches. Up to 1 million USD corporate fines. Basically it feels like it's a petty policy that's out of control. Particularly as ebay is full of items that simply get round it by using the term "Caribbean" or "Republic" instead of Cuba. I just made the mistake of using the listing description in my PayPal message to the auctioneers.

Well my payment has been refused and I am to be reported to the US Office of Foreign Assets Control. Not quite sure how that effects a non-US citizen. . But it certainly affects my willingness to use PayPal in future. Going to have to try my Spanglish and phone the auction house and use my bank card. I decided that if it's so difficult to buy the things I'd better not pass up the chance! So in effect PayPal have encouraged me to pursue the purchase... Ridiculous.

As far as I can tell the transaction is locked. I can barely view it, so I don't believe I can cancel it. And I imagine even PayPal might work out if I send the same amount to the same people that it's to cover this purchase. This is silly.

The thing is I've already bought the coin. It was in an auction at a Spanish auction house and I now owe them the money. I am in the UK. I don't understand why a company based in Luxembourg is making a fuss even if it is US policy to think Cuba doesn't exist.

So I won a Cuban Peso in an auction. Rather than pay £25 to send an IBAN transfer I chose to use PayPal. 4% supplement from the sellers. PayPal suspended the transaction and sent me an email asking 1. Purpose of payment 43RXXXXXX560J attempted on 03 March 2014 in the amount of £XX.XX, including a complete and detailed explanation of the goods or services you intended to purchase. 2. Explanation of "Cuba" in your transaction memo. What the *uck. Anybody have any idea what the problem is, given PayPal is incorporated in Luxembourg and there is no restriction (AFAIK) on buying goods from Cuba in the UK?

What did you get Dave?

I hesitate to recommend another forum JPK. Usualy it's here I suggest to people looking for info! But we only have a couple of members who specialise in ancients. However, coincomminity forum has a few very knowledgable members interested in that area. Your value might be in dollars, but you might just find they can give you an opinion about the variety? http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=51

I think saflips are what I started with Damian, as I received a few coins in them. Nice and clear they are too. It's just that I had the Hartbergers and thought why not use them again. Trouble is I only have up to 35 mm and have just bought a 38.1 mm coin! Might have to have a rethink ...

Welcome! "Proof" is a type of coin manufacture. Basically the dies (the metal outlines of the design used to strike the coins) are specially prepared, usually with mirror like fields (the flat bits of the design). Proof coins allow you to see the design in full detail. Sometimes proofs differ from circulation strikes. But sometimes it's difficult to tell a proof that's not cased from a good early strike from unworn dies. "Mint" can be exchanged with "uncirculated" and just means that the coin hasn't knocked around. However coins aren't always well struck even straight off the production line. Some designs are generally shallow (the Mary Gillick bust on early Elizabeth II coins for example) and coins can pick up knocks ('bag marks') as they are packed for circulation. The Royal Mint specimen sets are 'mint'. But then you can find BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) coins in change if you're lucky. I got a 2013 £1 like that the other day. As to mint and proof in circulation, well, there are certainly examples of proof coins that have been taken from sets and spent. Sometimes circulated examples are actually rarer than the unused coins! As far as I know the coins in ordinary sets are pretty much the same as circulating coins, just they've been boxed up before they've had a chance to see any wear. That help?

Hmm .. what would you call that? Blast White? Frosty White? Quite attractive anyway, considering I usually like a bit of tone to my coins! Couldn't find me a very cheap Barber Quarter in that condition could you?

Gone. Must have worked Dave!

Ah, that's explained by the fact that there have been a few internet articles that have said they are rare! OK, the 1935 is rare (most were sold back to the US to boost Cuba's finances and allegedly the case that held the 1935s was dropped as it was being put aboard ship) but mintages for other years suggest not. However they have gained a 'mystique' in the US, which is why I had to go to Spain for a cheaper one! Looking at their examples, just as well, IMHO! Nice jeton Scott! Not that I've anything against the .. double sol, is it? But I like the detail on that one.

Bother. I put in a bid for this on a hosting site and forgot about it. I was a bit carried away when I bid and so perhaps spent a bit more for it than I should. Ah, well.. It's a bit of a curiosity, I think. A silver Peso of Cuba, but struck in Philadelphia and primarily as bullion stock to guarantee the paper notes rather than circulating coinage. The issue is known as the ABC Peso, after the initials of three unidentified right-wing cells opposing General Gerardo Machado y Morales, dictator until his overthrow in 1934 and was allegedly commissioned by a member of one of these cells! A decent size silver coin of (struck to the same weight and fineness as the US 'Peace Dollar') at 38mm, 26.7g. And of course with that republican be-hatted bust! https://www.soleryllach.com/subastas/Subasta1080-2/imgLotes/48/4869q.jpg'>https://www.soleryllach.com/subastas/Subasta1080-2/imgLotes/48/4869q.jpg

Slabs are fine if you have no strong views or storage issues. Me? All my other coins are raw, so keeping just one in a slab makes little sense to me.

Early on in my collecting I bought some packs of these coin holders. They are rather like conventional hinged coin holders, however instead of card they are made of blue plastic and they close using four small pins that click into recesses on the back of the 'obverse' side. Of course, now I'd like some more I find that Hartberger must have stopped making them some years ago. Anyone know of any old stock supplies? Or an alternative as, though standard self-adhesive mylar flips would work fine, I don't find them terribly attractive. And I don't particularly want to buy capsules for all my differently sized coins. Thanks! .

Venezuela 1 Centavo. Paris issue unfortunately (I'd have quite liked one of the Heaton ones) but it fits the bill. Not brilliant grade as there's some corrosion. But then I didn't pay a top grade price for it ...

Well, it is copper. 30.5 mm and 10.9g. The soft focus is because it's in a slab. At the moment ..

Cool! Anyone know if ANACS slabs (newer, yellow label) present any particular challenges?

Showoff! .. er, I meant, very nice Dave! Buying "away from home" does seem too be a good strategy I must say! And Lockdales! Well I never!

I've heard CBT can be very helpful Coin Buying Therapy that is!

Ah yes. I remember an occasional comment on the coincommunity forum to that effect. It's odd that there are many that chase silver and yet they generally ignore coins like the Panama 'Balboa' which AFAIK were struck in the US (Philadelphia?) to the same standard as the US dollar...

Nice site Mark. Bookmarked. For when some Tower shillings that might fill a gap or two in my collection turn up!

Absolutely! Are Barber coins much rarer? Because I find that an acceptable design, but relative to the Morgans see very few examples.

I think most auction houses (certainly the larger ones) have a minimum consignment value. Below which some might buy the coin from you themselves and then auction it. As Brandon says, it's just business sense. Of course, knowing Heritage as I don't, it wouldn't altogether surprise me that if you were a regular vendor at their sales they might just accept a few 'one offs' that don't reach the $5000, just to keep a good customer happy though.