argentumandcoins

Ebayer bronzepennycollector won it along with another. His name is Tony Crocker and any Penny collectors will know of him! I certainly know the name, but surely Colin Cooke sold his collection some years ago? Yes he did Steve but that only took a relatively short time for Tony to compile. It looks like he is possibly back into the groove? I see you bought his better F15 satin. I meant to bid but forgot so I was pleased that it went to another collector.

Ebayer bronzepennycollector won it along with another. His name is Tony Crocker and any Penny collectors will know of him!

Nope, possession would be "theft by finding", although you would probably escape arrest as the only 2 remaining police officers in the country would be trying to work out how many extra years they have to work now to get their pensions. Yes, I thought that would be the case. Although I know there was some controversy over a winning lottery ticket that was found a few years ago. Thanks John. I assume your other remarks are an observation that Police officers can no longer retire early (or early compared to most others). It's a tough one because on the one hand a good level of physical fitness is usually required, and the ability to run, for example, may be lost by the age of 50 due to, say, painful knees. On the other hand, there is the demographic factor of increased life span affecting affordability. Someone who retired at 50 might easily be drawing their occupational pension for 40 + years thereafter. Actually, you don't see many actual police on the beat these days. I hardly ever see one, even in the town centre. I do see quite a few PCSO's, but they're not quite the same thing. A lad I worked on traffic with was due to retire in 7 years time at 48 1/2 having joined at 18 1/2 and done his full 30 years service. Due to one of the schemes advised upon by Mr Tom Winsor his service will now have to have 10 years added to it so that he will retire at 58 1/2 after 40 years service. Some may think that it is disgraceful that police officers could finish after 30 years on full pension, but, that was the case when I joined under my conditions of service, just the same as the fact that I received no rent allowance as that was ended the year I joined for new entrants. 30 years of constant shift work in a high risk/stress environment is more than enough and, as you touched upon, physical fitness is a key element required, as noted by HM forces who pension off the lower ranks after 22 years service. Add onto the above that the @rsehole is now advising recruiting fast track higher ranks from external sources and making it a requirement that PC entrants must be A-level qualified and the whole question of UK policing becomes an absolute nightmare. I worked with some PC's that were graduates and they were absolutely useless, good on paper but no commonsense or people skills. It was also evident that a higher proportion of graduates lacked the minerals to take on the physical aspect sometimes required in an arrest (maybe they were thinkers rather than doers?). How can anybody with a grain of sense ask a person to compile a report on an area of expertise in which they have absolutely none? I personally think that this country is absolutely finished. The current incumbent government are as much use as tits on a bull and the opposition are even worse than that. The financial climate is showing no signs of improvement and even less signs that they have a clue what's wrong never mind how to fix it. A kneejerk reaction in an economic slump is to cut everything to the bone that is paid out and increase anything else they can without riots ensuing. The benefits system is an absolute disgrace with some people unable to live as it is without taking even more cash from them. Nobody deserves a free ride, but some people do need a lift! Add onto that the fact that we are still giving economic aid to countries that "need it" and the whole thing really leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Rant over, I'm away to play monopoly with toy money so that I am suitably qualified to become a government think tank economist or I may just apply for the vacant HM Inspector of Health Services post (no experience necessary apparently)

Hello, I work for the UK Border Agency and I would like to meet you to discuss my requirements in person. Could you please bring a few samples, a wet towel and ensure that you arrive without socks on? Many Thanks.

Nope, possession would be "theft by finding", although you would probably escape arrest as the only 2 remaining police officers in the country would be trying to work out how many extra years they have to work now to get their pensions.

Well Harry, at $5000 you should of chewed his hand off. That was a very good offer for an 1887 £5.

norwich....nickers of ready when i come home............. beats swalk any day So what does City mean? It means it's a big town with a Cathedral Rob. I'll get my coat!

....and then, the next day the self doubt kicks in and you wonder whether you shouldn't have bid just that little bit higher C'est la vie! As I said earlier Steve £800 was to be my max and the coin was to replace a GVF in the collection. There looked to be wear to the high points which drags it down to GEF. At £1500 you are on very thin ice if the pics flatter the coin and the best bet with ebay is to bid at half a grade below what you think it looks like as that saves you from getting burnt. £1500 should secure a true unc in a major house auction.

I was out at £800. £1500 for that example was a vast amount to pay. I couldn't quite give it UNC but it has made UNC money and I think the second highest recorded price for an F7?

No, it is a die clash.

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). I've got the Mascle as well, Tom ~ but, man, those prices have gone up significantly since I bought mine in January 2010 I'm very pleased with mine too. There's more than enough space for what I've already got, and what I intend to get. As you say though, another drawer for provenance and other purchase related documents would be a good idea. For anybody thinking of buying, it might be worth asking Peter about this, although I think I may have heard that he was retiring. The address has certainly changed from St Leonards (near Hastings) to somewhere near Nottingham. Yes Mike, I think he sold up last year or late 2011.

OOOOPS, mistake on my part. I have checked the tomb and this one has been mis-identified by NGC (Not Grading Correctly). It seems they can all mess up equally as badly as each other Bob.

I only bought one of the halfcrowns and missed out on quite a few others. The one I won was a 1689 in a slab and listed as ESC506. Interesting thought I, being as though it is a second shield rather than the first. They had another that they had as 507 that is also a second shield. I think they were slabbed by PCGS (Pretty Crap Grading Services)

Happy Birthday Richard and Colin. Hope you both received what you wished for (rather than what you probably deserved )

Uhhhhh, and all the pointers you indicate give the coins a prooflike appearance, sharp rims, high definition strike etc. Your "satin" coins are virtually impossible to distinguish and come down to a matter of opinion, which to be brutal, quite often rests with the value in most peoples eyes.

If it is the JS & AB Wyon medal it is BHM 2702 (believed struck c1872). Thanks John, that's the one. Presumably common and of little value? Having said that, I couldn't find any listed on ebay or elsewhere though - hence the question. Unfortunately BHM does not give rarity or value, only a descriptive and cataloguing aid. They are like coins and the value comes down to condition and desirability. 32mm white metal in EF should be about £20-£35 on your site (from my experience of selling similar).

If it is the JS & AB Wyon medal it is BHM 2702 (believed struck c1872).

Currency Stuart. The maundy Threepences are all "prooflike" and that is the easiest way to tell currency from maundy (particularly for the rare Viccy YH 3d's). I have a proof on the site if you want something to compare it to.

How on earth did that happen? I'm pretty sure I only pressed the button once. As the actress said to the Bishop!

A happy and healthy New Year to one and all.

Bugger, classic example, I forgot M Gouby (remind me of his numismatic status again?)! Happy New Year, Paul (I may have wished you that already)! Time for a sharp exit, me thinks! And Declan who often has plenty of very high grade 20th century pre-decimal on the bay And you forgot Bob as well! Although I can sort of forgive you because he is mainly a Penny man and I know that doesn't float your boat Stuart!

Happy Christmas and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year to one and all.

Technically it is a civil matter and would require a small claims case. For the Police to be even remotely interested there would have to be some other aggravating factor eg sale of more than one fake etc. As things stand they will do nothing as it cannot be proven beyond reasonable doubt that the seller was aware that the coin was a fake at the point of offering it for sale. Your only option is Citizens Advice or a local solicitor to get the ball rolling for you.

What shocked me is that it was reported that he didn't have a Facebook page, as if that was a clear indication of a dangerous sociopath. Unbelievable. To be fair Declan I don't have a Facebook page either and lots of people would say that I am a dangerous sociopath......

There are several medal reference books but they are very pricey. The most commonly used and useful re the medals you most likely refer to is called "British Historical Medals". It is published in 3 volumes by Spink and is the standard reference work. There is also the excellent book by Christopher Eimer "British Commemorative nedals and their values", again published by Spink.