1949threepence

Some collectors will have a mix of date runs and types. The point is, there are no rules when it comes to personal collections. Just whatever suits at the time.

Have a very happy birthday, Bob

Ive never seen either of the 2008 olympic varieties. So you were lucky to get them. Does anybody know if any 2009 £2 were issued for circulation ? I don't think I've seen any so far. Hi Scott, I can confirm that 2009 £2s were issued as I got a pristine example in my change on Saturday. Maybe they are only just seeing the light of day. Yes, I've just received a technology 2009 in pure UNC as well.

No colon dots after F:D. Peck 1623a, Gouby 1860 Type T. Took me ages to realise though. I didn't realise, either.

h***i's bid, with one second to spare, has to have been a previously laid snipe. He couldn't possibly have had time to make a manual over bid with just 3 seconds to spare. Bet he's cursing that other late very high bid edit: Well done

I've actually only bought one slabbed coin, and I did break that out of the slab, in order to place it in my cabinet. Don't much like slabs, and as Tom says, they take up too much space, are not storage friendly, and you can't handle them. That said, I did agree with the MS grading description of the coin I bought.

When I decided to become a type rather than a date collector I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Until I realised the particular ball and chain that comes with that. You see, a type collector must have each 'type' in as high a grade as possible. James II or George I silver, anyone? I think the problem for me started when I was a child and collected Brooke Bond tea cards. The difficulty was that once you had the album you had to have the set. What was the use of a nearly complete album? And so it is with me for coins - I have to have the date run!! I think the moment of illumination for me was when I finally completed my date run of 20th Century halfcrowns. I sat there staring at absolutely identically unattractive George VI UNC silver halfcrowns and Elizabeth II 1950s halfcrowns, and I thought "So what?" I have kept the pre-1937 halfcrowns, though I'm tempted to farm out a few of the George V, but since then, the only date run I've been remotely interested in is bronze pennies. Yeah, there's just something about the bronze penny series that in a sense, marks them out as distinct from all others. They really hit the spot, don't they.

I'd really enjoy skimming through some old coin mags from the 1960's or even earlier. Must try and buy some at a coin fair. Nowadays we could do with a decent mag that is more technical and less lightweight (for want of better words). I have to admit, I'm not much of a one for letters pointing to border teeth, as you need a magnifying glass to even see them. I do, however, like some varieties, such as wide and narrow dates. But minor differences in obverse/reverse combinations, don't do it for me,

As it encompasses my current speciality,I might well buy it fairly soon.

I agree with you Tom, but I'm still eagerly awaiting the mintage for business strike Charles Darwin £2 coins. I actually got one in my change, as I have 3 of the 4 2002 Commonwealth Games £2.00 coins.

Well done on the 1995, Rob. I think I might well have been tempted with £30 for the BU 2002 Commonwealth Games set.

Like others, I'm not convinced by insurance, especially when it comes to adequate documentation and valuation. But there is a specialist collector's insurance company, based in Exeter, here

No worries, Boomstick, pleased to have been of assistance. I've re-found the link, posted on here by Rob, I think, a few months ago, to a specialist collector's insurance company based in Exeter ~ here

Took my young daughter to a Walsall Ipswich match, he got subbed walked past the Walsall fans and without any justification gestured with his hand towards the Walsall fans, right in front of my daughter If they had been giving him a load of stick then maybe.....but he is supposed to be the professional... it just really wound me up!!! Sounds a bit childish and petulant. Nothing excuses such behaviour.

I'm not an Arsenal supporter but I would much rather see the menacing scowl and steam coming out of Roy Keane's ears. I have nothing special against the Tractor Boys, just their manager. Well, to be totally honest with you, I don't like him much either. I remember him as a Man U player. Dirty, bad tempered and aggressive. Not a likeable guy, frankly. But if he can get long term results, then we can pass over all that.

Keep your fingers crossed. I'd love to see the look on Arsene Wenger's face if Town beat them

Thanks Peter & Declan. I take on board the point about over grading, and the photo problems.

Can I just add that I never knew about the pre 1881 convex shield on bun pennies before I read Derek's book. Indeed, all the advice on the bun obs and revs have proved incredibly useful for me in judging the grading of these pennies.

Thanks chaps ~ very much appreciate the input & advice. I'm 50/50 on whether to take a chance on one of these

This isn't so much of an e bay laugh, as an e bay query. There is a seller called lucido 8 who currently has some nice buns on offer. He just sold a very nice looking 1869 for just over £500, and has a superb 1874H narrow date. The only thing that slightly disconcerts me is that all of them (apart from one or two he's had for sale longer) have a strongly reddish look, for years where you might normally expect a very dark appearance once the lustre has died out ~ such as 1871, for example. Can anyone account for this appearance ? link to the coins lucido 8 has for sale

I think that with anything new there is a learning curve, often a steep one to begin with, but hopefully I am starting to get there. I am trying to look at as many coins as I can, in as many different denomonations and in as many different grades that I can. That way I can hopefully start to attain the knowledge that I will need to have when considering my coin purchases. I think that at some point in our lives we will all be burnt in one way or another, but hopefully by learning what I can and if I continue asking the questions that I need answering, the blow will not be as severe as it may have been. It is a steep learning curve, initially. But if you have always been interested in coins, you learn very quickly, and almost get an instinct for what is genuinely good stuff/dross, and can see through window dressing very quickly (usually anyway )

As a penny collector, I find it difficult to counter that argument Another horrendous thought ~ although I kind of see what you are getting at, Colin.

They are quite tatty but still good value. The £65 one is the 1960 edition. And pretty ropey as well. 2nd ed. 1964 is the one everyone wants, and they rarely go cheap. There were others that were second Edition that were less than £100, someone must have grabbed them already!! I'd like a Peck, but they are horrendously expensive, and if you don't collect or deal in pre 1860 copper, you can get all the detail you need from Freeman, or even Gouby.

That was my initial thought too 1949. I found the design to be reminiscent of the £2 trial issue. I actually really liked the design of that coin. If I ever find a set for the right price I think that I will purchase it for my collection. Exactly my thoughts too, Rob

I agree with you, Rob. I much prefer the Mary Rose. It bears a slight resemblance to one of the original template £2.00 coin designs from 1994.