Peter

I paid over £50 for the proof set in a red box. The cheapo plastic sets minus the Crown are dirt cheap.

I am lolling here with 2 broken ribs but I've recieved CC latest catalogue and am tempted.Trouble is 5.5k can't be hidden from Mrs Peter. The new bloody kitten with its cat carrier box is my damage plus it has ripped off most of my wallpaper in the landing and hall....plus he has found away of getting in the fridge...Bloody Darwin.

The halfcrown is common.The pictures awfull....I would have kept well clear.

Ouch. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1853-VICTORIA-BRITISH-FARTHING-COIN-FULL-LUSTRE-/170981517909?pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item27cf4aea55

I'm just picking my toungue up from the floor.

Good rant John. Sometimes I just need to go fishing or take our dog to the beach and search for amber/fossils and then bury my head in coins.Have a Cuban and a large malt.Life isn't all bad

Exellent news summary and comments I notice on USA based forums that all the silver in circulation is being coin roll searched (USA,Canada and Aussie) and stashed away. Is anyone stocking up on bullion? I'm buying some intersting bits from silver mustard pots to silver serving spoons...and of course a few farthing varieties.

John and you got a nice pension. I have a pal here who retired after 25 years and still wears the uniform. My brother in law worked his way up in the civil service and retired on a huge pension and now is working on a consultant basis.I think I was a mug as getting qualified as a QS...but heck we only have 1 chance.Still I have 2 houses and sometimes nice daughters a great wife 1 dog,2 cats ....nice coins..I'm OK

Wellcome Mr Stephen You will find many experts and dealers on this forum.If you want info...it is here.

I've just checked my Tesco burgers in the fridge....AND THEY ARE OFF.

I do offer free riding lessons in Suffolk.

Have a good day Scott & Debbie

Our postie signs for everything.Almost part of the family.Our dog can tell when he is 100yds away and goes potty....but likes him....medium rare

The fully lustred coins often have carbon spots. A good tone is my preference (although I have BU's )

Norwich City

I prefer the manual logic of a snipe and the control it offers.My daughters bought me a stopwatch many years ago.

Mintage figures weren't issued in those days.Maybe a total weight of gold coined which covered all denominations of gold.I think Spinks guide price or auction records will define rareity. I wouldn't put it on Ebay.Major auction houses will respect NGC (personally they are as much use as a chocolate teapot).It will find its level.

I would put penny collectors in there or anyone who doesn't like early copper

Should gold be porous? Strange that NGC didn't want to grade it. If it is authentic which NGC suggest it is it falls into the akward band of people wanting this will pay a lot more for a high grade. Maybe £1200 to £1500.

Peter, At the NYINC Convention recently, I asked a NGC Rep. what proof you had to have, to get a coin designated (slabbed) as being a specific variety, or from a specific collection (Workman, etc). He said a receipt, or collector's Ticket from a reputable Dealer or numismatist, stating the fact. An example would be a sales receipt from Colin Cooke, noting that the coin was from the "Edinburgh" collection. BTW...I think there is a additional charge for a coin being designated from a collection, or a specific variety, not known to them.(which would be a lot of varieties, in the case of GB coins!). Even with their errors on coins of Great Britain, I think NGC is our best slabber! IMHO! Ha,Ha! Bob I still feel a little bit better than TPG's

I believe I know more about my favoured subject than the TPG ...They are Jack of all trades and master of nothing.

but hairless

It maybe 100 years old but it has also seen a lot of circulation.Peck was generous with VF.

Exactly Declan My investments are all below the taxman.Just recently Mrs Peter has suggested we sell all and disappear to North Norfolk. At 51 it seems a gamble.But worth a think...I have a great homemade shrimp net and 4 beachcaster rods.

At one time I could claim my pension at 65 it is now 68.Where has my £15k + gone and why hasn't anyone complained?