Peter

Just got the cheapest (UK sourced on Ebay) scope for £11.99 delivered. I will still use loupes,mini microscopes and my glass...but you can't have enough kit

I guess I've just been lucky. Never 1 import bill to date and I've bought a lot from the US. I will factor in the risk in the future.

Apart from getting predecimal coins from change I started on farthings with mainly the Farthing specialist before Mr Cooke came along.I then started buying from other dealers lists when I also bought a few other denominations.(In those days I also bought directly from coin monthly...you had to get in quick) I then started visiting fairs and dealers. My collecting now is farthings,lots of early foreign,hammered,Coins around the French revolution and all the gems gathered over the years to be kept as examples,Roman have always been interesting as have all the denominations of US currency.I do like large cents. I study around the coins and hope to dig my pre Norman. The Internet is a vast resource for coins and I seem to stumble upon new subjects. I have failed at auctions a few times but had the most success at fairs where bargains/gems are still to be had.

I agree on the Ebay way forward or a vistit to abccoinsandtokens. Ebay.com will give you more info as they tend to be more popular in the US.

Hi Peter, I actually got some today in the post. a set of Fuzion rogue 650 ones. So its all go now. How have you been keeping , ok I hope ? My girls are studying (14&16) so they have exclusive use of the laptops to catch up on work so, I've been putting my farthings in my new cabinet. and watching a few DVD's with my wife.

I've got a set that measures to 0.1gm.I weigh all mr pre 1775 copper because it varies quite a lot. I also use it to bag up scrap gold and silver.It is a bit of kit I bought after my books and glass etc

Tom and Colin..Monday for a birthday...sort it out.

Just found some Xmas Stilton a rancid bottle of Vodka plus a bottle of red..just a cigar and bit of....

We have a joint of pork roasting...My dogs are doing their nut..and my farthings are out...plus Mrs Peter says I can go to the Feb Midland fair...happy days although we only have white wine

A very nice coin.GF max but problem free

We have bloodied their noses a few times,I still like their onions...wine,,,brandy...cavalados...goose...label rouge...they do whiff a bit but hey.I love me Calais mint...

I'm brutially used and not quite BU****. But I love a dipping and the polishing works wonders

If you like it put it in your trouser.There are Unc which I would not want and some EF that I would AHHHH. Each to our own...we don't drive the same car or live in one house.That coin is a beauty...don't give it a grade.I still like Linda Lusardi but she wouldn't sit in my tray of Uncs...although I would shed my white gloves.

Hang in there Dave That looks like a corker. Love it.

not interested..snm

This info is most welcome.It's self policing at its best.Ebay will do diddly. I have bought from C Ghost and had no problems(a few years back).Greed and temptation maybe is too much for some. All the more reason for the less experienced to stick to known dealers,learn from their grading and realise Ebay is a full of good and bad guys. I've only banned few buyers,namely a nasty women who I refunded,she kept the item and gave me a neg.I suppose it is like shoplifting to some. Shilling bidding and sellers claiming they have lost items,dodgy dealers,dodgy buyers ought to be named and shamed.

The minimum reserve fee is £50. For coins why bother. Start at 99p and away you go. Or things like fish tanks make BIN or best offer.

Lets not panda about. If I can get rid of low grade for nice bucks I will. I only wanted the double florin 1888 inverted but the rest are going.All my Crowns too apart from the George V & V1 and Lizzies.(I don't have a wreath but a future target) What peeved me is that a lot of GVF Gothic florins and 2/6's went missing in the post until I caught a bugger with several user names. The post office confirmed delivery and signature but it still took 5 emails.There are scum

Flat coca cola appears to work plus a luke warm bath and a nicely chilled toilet roll.

Apart from the gouge it isn't a bad coin and reasonable copper.It is a good strike and clear date. I would grade at GF/NVF money and....but won't be bidding myself.Dealers have problems with these grades and a wide variation often occurs.Without the gouge I might be tempted.

With all the rich foods over Xmas a piece of plain toast and a boiled egg followed by nice cuppa seems order of the day We finished off the cheese board,pickles and chilli & wine was through down our necks so many times.

It is one to miss.All the gimmick gold and silver plated coins are tat. Stick to unbutched currency or proofs. Attached is a Maundy set http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-MILLENNIUM-SILVER-PROOF-MAUNDY-4-COIN-SET-RARE-/160569740483?pt=Coins_BritishProofs_RL&hash=item2562b3ccc3

Early copper can be notoriously badley struck with weakness,spelling errors, off centres and the like (especially William 111).I have bought GF's that are less than F.The copper is even cast in some instances. The Anne patterns and George 1 are better but not without their problems.I would say genuine VF+ William 111 are as rare as hens teeth.

The 2nd edition was printed over 10 years ago but an excellent reference.The paper is rubbish but the content useful.

Are you really sure you want one.?A Spink and Collectors Coins GB would be a good start. A good read for the novice is Coincrafts 2000 catalogue.Ignore the pricing although it is about right now. Coincraft is a big lump of wood and can also be used to reach those high shelves or change a lightbulb. The old Freeman ones used to go for £100 and the new one £30/£35.Try a library copy.