VickySilver

I only am interested in one lot but can not get on, anyone else with similar difficulty or am I the only unloved one?

EF40?

Ah, thanks for that Kev. What looks like brown crud in the devices on some of the Medio Balboa dies looks to be residual gold (!) from when the dies were used to strike proof piedfort pieces in gold, which was unauthorized. Not that I would, but I suppose if I were to "restrict" unauthorized pieces from unconcealed dies that there would be a market?? Well, i'm not of a larcenous mind so that won't happen.

Yes, true for me, but I almost think of them as a nuisance. Probably have about 20 different sets. Never understood how coins such as the 1923 Maundy 3d with identical design to what would have been a currency are not more sought after by 3d collectors - a bit like the 1847, 48 and 1852 3ds, where the only ones sold (virtually) are pirated from Maundy 3d sources.

Oh, the RM has a lovely offering, including a copper nickel uncirculated 2019 50p AND (how generous of them!) a VF quality 1969 50p! All at the bargain price of L45. Yikes, sign me off (not on) for this special offering....

The obverse is a wreck and the rim definition is very poor, absolutely IMO a currency strike with NO business in a proof holder.

PS - They pulled this from the auction as they should have. Now only if PCGS gets their act together on the sucky grades and attributions of George V era proof silver and copper, especially the former.

Yes, I can only imagine your position and have wondered what it will be like when the day comes. I wish you the best of fortune in selling these...

Yes indeed. I do hope that someone can send me an message/email so that they can assist with posting pictures of these dies. I just don't seem to be able to shrink my photos to fit and so appreciate help. Interestingly I also have SIX more dies from the same source, including a couple which seem to show residua of gold in the devices - dies of this date were used to strike "off metal" gold coins/pieforts so maybe these are those dies?

I have run across numerous 3ds from this era that were either a bit thin or thick, so interesting but IMO not that rare or valuable.

Oh thanks. The most costly was the 1838 groat, but the 2d I got some years ago from Baldwin/St. James some years ago as part of a Maundy set. Possibly equally tough (but much cheaper) was the currency 3d. I guess it's just a pet peeve of mine, but I just hate when Maundy 3ds are sold or slabbed as currency when they are not; this totally destroys the market for real currency pieces as well as interest for the 3d Victoria series. I also notice that both PCGS and NGC have slabbed Maundy pieces as currency for dates such as 1847, 1848 or 1852, but also other dates in the 1850s and 1860s - this 1863 is notable as a true currency specimen.

Wow, thanks for that!!!!

Please help with posting mine, I think you will all appreciate: Proof 1839 Maundy 2d (part of set): PCGS Cert# 36670087 Proof 1838 Groat (Britannia Rev.): PCGS Cert# 36670085 Currency!!! 1863 3d: PCGS Cert#36670090 With regards to the latter, this is a true currency (as such extremely rare) and not the Maundy that are frequently and erroneously called currency - but we've had that discussion before & don't mind revisiting it.

I too like the Colin Cooke idea, and think I would move some there if I were to sell. Yikes, I also see quite a few that I like, this being my main era for collecting (despite my nomen). Good Luck regardless, but please keep us informed.

Yikes, I was getting excited as 20th C predecimal trials and patterns, esp. silver my thaang...

I agree that I like them best, but as a seller? I don't know what they would charge for 200-500 quid lots, and that is the question. Baldwin's is likely not the choice for those calibre of lots.

Absolutely. Storage is a real problem - I have many "lesser" coins in 2x2s with this cardboard outer & wish there was a better low cost solution.

IMO, there is sulfur in the cardboard portion of the holder - this subliminates (has a gaseous degradation) and will penetrate even "sealed" holders such as those you mentioned....

I like these collections, yours and Paddy's. I wish I had my blip together enough to do the same. Congratulations on a fine collection and presentation.

ESC, according to S. Hill (and myself, if that can be of value), is incorrect and that with the off year proofs that there is not separation between Proof and VIP Proof. I will try to post (with help) a picture of a 1928 Wreath in proof. IMO, the edges should be much sharper, the hair, cheekbone, and brow ridge should all be much better and sharper. I know they are just selling what PCGS has deemed proof, but I have had some issues with their grading before. They are NOT consistent with Record proofs and especially the matte proofs, both 1902 and the later scarcer bits struck for "photographic" purposes. The reverse on this coin is much better struck than normal for a currency and so are mustache and central beard detail. Value in such a venue would be, in dollars, up to maybe 400 for currency and up to 2k for proof.

I have touched on this many times, but IMO many of the "non-standard" year proofs are simply not, and this includes specimens graded by the TPGs. As one example, the Heritage Sale #3071(6 Jan., 2019) Lot 30670 coming up in two weeks is again IMO clearly NOT a proof. Many of the 1934s that have been slabbed are also suffering from the same inaccurate grading malady, so buyer beware. Someone, please help with the pictures.

Exactly on that last bit. However, I do think attractive high grade 1926MEs are very scarce indeed. Many seem to have toning issues or just something that isn't quite right. I regret that my own specimen has lost some of its original wonderful lustre that was still there in 1999 when I bought it. Some of the 62-64RB slabbed bits really are IMO just not there as examples...

I don't know, I put the 19H up there - but mainly because the metal fabric and toning seem so bad on higher grade examples of the latter.

Yes, Ultra Cameo it is but NOT Record (VIP) Proof. Not great quality photos but not as clearly defined as the "VIP"/Record proofs.

Good spot there - 16 bids, no less! Yikes, that is a bit of trash....