Coppers

Mat... Can we be certain that you are not working for Baldwin's? Most of what I see Spink selling and auctioning are rarer, higher-value coins. Valuing a coin in either guide books or in auction catalogs at too high a price may actually work to depress bidding and result in a lower price realized. I've seen a number of auctions in which price estimates are far below what I and others know the coin will bring which serves to draw in bidders who might not otherwise consider trying for a coin and in the end which may actually result in a higher price realized and allow the auction firm to advertise that a coin it estimated at one price actually achieved double or triple that price. There are a number of areas in which government regulation is both worthwhile and necessary. This is not one of them.

Many coins seldom come up for sale and when they do that sale may not always be reported. Spink may be setting that higher valuation based on prices realized for similar items. There's nothing wrong with that and unless it could be shown that Spink somehow unfairly enriched themselves by adjusting prices in their guide then I would leave well enough alone.

Happy Birthday Colin!

Happy Birthday, Tom!

Chocca -- Steve is clearly not a fool and the price he set on his auction £9,999,999.00 was obviously for the purpose of bringing attention to the coin --not to scam anyone. He should have the coin examined by someone who can authenticate it and as you say hopefully it will turn out be the genuine article.

Steve...I believe this thread has veered somewhat off-course. It's clear that your asking price is for attention purposes only. That said, Chris' advice to take the coin to an expert to get it authenticated is sound. And if it proves to be authentic then likely a major auction firm would be the best venue for its sale.

If anyone's interested...now on ebay 1936 Penny

M. J. Freeman's personal auction catalog for the 1984 sale of his collection is currently on ebay... Link to auction

Same approach, but a lower price... One in fifty thousand

Article by one of our own forum members posted on CoinLink

You're in luck Peter as the auction isn't until next year. Lots of interesting coins in this auction, but like you I'll probably not be doing any bidding.

Welcome!

Quite a few proofs of record in the upcoming Heritage Auction... Link

Do you have a link to that ebay auction?

Now here's a coin that likely missing from most collection... The only one online

You can if the book is wrong Scott -- even if the book is spot on insofar as what a dealer may charge for a coin, if you should go back to that same dealer to sell, you might find yourself being offered 50 percent of book or less. Where you've probably done well is finding rarer varieties here and there which when sold were not identified as such. Irrespective as to whether the coins you may buy turn out to be a good investment or not, enjoy the hobby by learning about the coins you collect and by sharing your ideas and experiences with other collectors, many of whom frequent this forum.

I've always been leery of promoting coins as an investment particularly as the appeal seems primarily directed towards those who are least familiar with the hobby. While checking out upcoming auctions, I happened to run across the following. Link Any other takes/opinions on this?

Exactly so.

Whether the prices these two pennies realized were due to hype, auction fever or a temporary case of madness, the buyers will be in for a very rude awakening should they ever try to sell these pennies.

Considering the sales price realized by the slender 3 and the die 5 pennies, I'm not sure whether this should be considered an anomaly or a trend.

Slabbed coins may enjoy a markedly higher resale value in the US, but I do not believe that is the case in the UK and in fact the opposite may be true.

I believe they're called SAFE-T-MAILERS. Here's a link to a US Site. They indicate they ship worldwide, but still might be less costly if you can find an outlet in the UK. link

I don't know so much. Looks like quite a good forgery and I would expect it to realise a decent price. Bidder 2 4 & 7 are Shilling....smell the coffee Now at £102.00

Two nice farthings -- particularly the 1876-H.

A 33 penny which the seller indicates has been examined and found to be altered... Link