TomGoodheart

Indeed. And totally subjective IMHO, since it might not detract when you're hoping to sell it (though in that case, it has to be questioned, why mention it at all?) but a buyer might (and likely will) feel very differently! I dislike "VF details" (etc..) So what? The D of DG may be as crisp as a proof, but if the rest of the coin is washer grade then what's the point in saying "[..] details" Unless the whole coin is close to the grade in question (in which case "near [whatever grade], some areas better" would be more honest), it seems a rather meaningless thing to say...

Pft. N00bs. Clearly is a quizzical 'hmmm' Whereas is a ninja and can mean anything you like, such as 'I'm keeping quiet on that' 'bet you didn't see that one coming' or 'I didn't do it. Not'

No, I don't think anyone was put off by the reversal at all, it would have been from the general appearance of the coin that an assessment was made. I don't have an image to hand, but if you type George V half sovereign into google images, you'll see for yourself how one should really look! Yes, the King's mustache and shape of his head immediately look completely wrong for a genuine coin I'm afraid. Exactly what it is (toy / token / souvenir ..) and what metal it's made from (unless it's hallmarked I suspect base metal) is going to be difficult to tell from the current photos, but an official issue (let alone rare) coin, ... it's not, in my opinion.

I have had the Mascle for a number of years now and am very pleased with it. My only (retrospective) preference would be to have had the option of an additional simple drawer-like tray, in which to put the coin tickets (either too large or square) and dealers' envelopes that came with the coins, but that don't fit into the usual round recesses with the coins. Cabinets also come up in auctions fairly regularly, but the advantage of a tailor made one is that you can specify the size of hole you want for your coins rather than just make do with what's supplied (usually a range from small to large).

Slow, difficult to navigate and poor search function (particularly as the interesting archive of auctions appears not to have been (yet?) made available. At least, that's what I've found.

What was happening in York today? York Coin and Stamp Fair. snow or no snow, thats a very short working day I wish.

It's OK, I start and finish at 2.30, so I'm home already. I work in a small care home ... so working from home would .. probably not go down well with Wifey! Most of the walk is through parkland so it was actually quite pleasant. Snow is fun. It's slush (and when the river floods and blocks my route) I don't like so much!

Snow here (Buckinghamshire) but as I have just a pleasant hour's stroll to and from work each day it hasn't affected me!

Thanks Colin, good to hear that. A year and a half, isn't it? Bad business, but could have been worse ...

Thanks All! And I don't know about Colin, but I'm certainly pleased with the present I bought myself (see new acquisitions thread)!

I think without knowing a bit more it's difficult to give good advice, I'm afraid. Firstly, we need to know whether this is a 'collection' (which will usually have been stored carefully, possibly with records or notes of what's there and possibly consisting of coins that have been bought to be part of the collection) or the more frequently encountered 'accumulation' (which is a load of coins someone has picked out of change and put aside over time in things like jars, boxes and tins). While there may be coins of interest to collectors in an accumulation, it will take time to sort through and the number of coins will decide whether it's worth the work. On the other hand if someone has spent time and effort to track down their coins, there's a better chance it will be of interest. But even then it's not guaranteed, because the value of coins (both financial and interest) usually depends on the condition of the things (with those that have circulated less and so are less worn, generally worth more), how they have been stored, whether they have been cleaned (best not) and so on. Do you have a camera? If you could post a few photos of the (maybe 3 best?) nicer looking coins that might give people an idea of grade (condition/wear) or if you can identify the coins a short list ("half crowns, all pre-1920 - 15 of them" sort of thing) ... Then it'll be easier to decide whether a dealer (who are generally interested only in collections of things with metal value, such as silver (remember, pre-1920 silver coins are silver, 50% silver between 1920 and 1946 and after that they are just cupro-nickel), ebay (you can make better money by splitting into smaller amounts or individual coins, but it takes time) or a local auction house (though often these things can be listed as "biscuit tin filled with coins, various" and just go for a few quid) might be best. Alternatives are also, car boot sales, donate to a school for 'historical' interest or an elderly people's home (nostalgia) or find a youngster that might want to use as the basis of a collection (though not as popular a hobby as it used to be I'm afraid!).

Hi FD and welcome. In 1920, the silver content of all British coins was reduced from 92.5% to 50%, and then in 1947 changed to CuNi, so your Florin is 50%. There are quite a few bullion buying sites, but I found this one gives reasonable prices. You can estimate value just buy halving the weight of coins: http://www.hattongardenmetals.com/sell-scrap-gold.aspx Other people here can advise on scarcer dates etc as it's not my area.

Brilliant! I always think it's a wonderful bonus to know a bit of provenance about a coin. It's like having a new coin for free! Good work Seuk!

I just logged back in to the website to see if things are better. First impressions ... it's still slooooooooow. Since the 360 view clearly doesn't show the actual edge (or as far as I can make out, even the actual thickness) of the coin being viewed, I'm not sure how it's anything but a novelty. OK, the search works better but .. most importantly .. where is all the archive information from previous auctions that presumably still exists somewhere?? Plus, I miss an online coin shop ..

I don't believe they are rare at all. As seen by the number of results when I did a quick search: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox&q=countermarked+George+III+dollar&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&bvm=bv.1357700187,d.d2k&biw=1280&bih=631&wrapid=tlif135781988748610&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=8q_uULinCouY1AW94ICQDw . What is needed to command better prices is a good clear countermark, ideally on a good clear coin. Worn examples just aren't as attractive to buyers so buy the nicest you can afford (as usual!) AFAIK, the octagonal countermark is scarcer, but someone else here can no doubt confirm or deny that.

Sold.

OK, make that five others for sale in the last 8 years! There's one as part of a lot in TimeLines next auction: And I have reduced the buy it now price on ebay to £160, but would accept less from anyone here if you're interested and happy to buy direct. Spink in 2012 listed the general type (though not this scarce variety) at £60 in Fine, £250 VF. Anyone want it for £125 (postage included)?

Not sure about the point of a circulated set. You could pick that out of change really! How about a proof set (£35+ ish or I think Rob on here had a set for £22+post?), or just an uncirculated set (£16 or so) and .. if you're keen .. a Sovereign? Sadly (?) only struck to proof standard and in smaller numbers, they were £275 from Lawrence Chard, but I'm not sure if he has stock now? http://www.24carat.co.uk/frame.php?url=goldsovereignproofs.html Or for something unusual .. a Maundy set? About £125: (This set has sold, but gives you an idea ..)

My Wife repeatedly tells me my collection (which I have spent years and not inconsiderable amounts of money building) is worthless until I come to sell it! And even then it will only be 'worth' what someone is prepared to pay, however much value it has to me. Personally I think it's always tricky predicting future prices eddy. That's because it's always difficult to be certain about the market sentiment a few years down the line. If electronic payment really takes off and they stop making coins, things could go up. Or not. Because if you check this site, most here are in their 20s or a lot older. I know hardly any kids that collect coins, certainly not compared to 50 years ago when it was quite a popular hobby. Yes, you could hold on to your coin in the hope it goes up above the rate of inflation. But will there be collectors for such things (decimal issues generally just don't attract the sorts of collectors that are prepared to pay several thousand quid, whereas there are enough for say, hammered gold to keep that market buoyant) in years to come? So I would mirror what others have said. Unless this coin is a key part of your current or future collection, I'd be inclined to sell it now and use the (hopefully obscenely large amount of) money you make to buy something a bit older with an established collector appeal! Oh, and let us know how you get on!

Sorry to hear that Bobcat. However I'm sure everyone here has made less than sensible decisions early on. The thing to remember is that there are several types of what people call coins. The main one, and what most here collect, were produced to be spent. Then there are the small number made to the same designs but to higher standards each year to show off the art of the coin, such as proofs. Unfortunately the Royal Mint now produces so many specimen/ uncirculated sets/ proofs these days they don't have the exclusivity or value they used to. The second class of 'coin' isn't really a coin at all, it's a way of buying bullion. Britannias (silver) and sovereigns (though these used to be coins of the realm and so older examples sell both as coins and for the gold content) are two examples, as are the famous Krugerand. As Peck says, avoid buying such things from people like the Royal Mint as they are marked up so much it will take ages to get your money back. There are reputable dealers who buy in bulk and sell for just above bullion value. However it's worth remembereing that these are essentially means of investment and as most here will tell you, it's best to keep investment purchases separate from buying coins for pleasure or their history. Finally there are .. well, fantasy pieces. They look like coins, are marked with a value and are often made in 'limited' numbers, but really they aren't designed to be spent. They are 'collectors items' in the same way decorative plates, limited edition watches, or Ty beanie babies are. They are bought to collect, but most are of no interest to anyone that doesn't collect the things so getting your money back, let alone making a profit, is down to luck and fashion. Pobjoy mint, Franklin mint and the like sell 'coins' in this way, but most are overpriced and of limited appeal to the coin collector or general public. Now obviously, some bullion pieces are attractive in appearance and people will pay a premium for that. But in a crunch it's the silver or gold that has value, so it's worth keeping that in mind. I use an internet site to check prices, but there are more than just this one. Just when I was thinking of selling I found their prices reasonable: http://www.hattongardenmetals.com/sell-scrap-gold.aspx As for your 'angel' well, if you do a search on ebay you'll find people do pay much more than bullion for them, so you could get between £55 and £80 from previous results: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=isle+man+gold+angel&_sacat=0&_odkw=isle+man+angel&_osacat=0&_from=R40&LH_Complete=1 Whether you'd get back what you paid however .. that's down to luck I think.

Current melt price is just under £42. While you might get more for it, such things are really just a way of buying bullion in my view, so there's no benefit to it being 'limited edition'. Plus Chard says fractionals are less popular than full ounce ones. Try ebay? They sometimes often pay silly prices there.

I don't know anyone here that collects such things, unless they've just never mentioned it! I find them .. interesting but am too lazy to work out the script and learn more, let alone actually collect the things I'm afraid. As for selling, well, while there may be specialist dealers, the simplest route is probably through ebay.

Assuming I'm correct in identifying it as a Muwahhids (Almohades), anonymous issue Dirham, very roughly (because I imagine it depends on condition and subtle differences I can't identify!) £15-£40. Muwahhid dirham search

Yes, I was wondering whether there could possibly be enough decimal issues to justify an entire volume, then I remembered the 6000 varieties of Olympic 50ps and all the rare £2 coins you see on ebay! Personally I think they'd be better with a proper book on silver, one for base metal coins and a 'check your change' type for decimal collectors. And on that thought ... I'm curious to know how many here actually collect decimal coins, as in the same way you collect bun pennies etc, as opposed to just accumulating the things because they are of (passing) interest? Because I wonder, as Chris suggests above, if the potential customers for a decimal volume might be .. different from people who collect the sorts of things people here do. Or am I unknowingly insulting some fellow members?

Meh. I don't like it. The photo makes it look like a replica. Of course, it might be perfectly ok, but the photo does it no favours. Makes the lettering look .. less crisp than I'd hope. And what's happening on the rev around the H and A .. scratch? Flan flaw? Casting error? Having said that it's hardly my area, but if it was Charles I I'd assume it had been polished .. or was dodgy. NEF, reverse a bit better, but I'd want to know how much and whether it's from a reputable dealer before I parted with any money ...