Peckris

I'd best get my BU example slabbed and sent to Heritage - I'm missing out...

It's a CGS slab, and the seller's name contains 'lockett'. Far be it from me to start a conspiracy theory, but ...

Ooh, ignoring Edward VII, the scarcest reign of modern times, and George V, arguably the most interesting reign of modern times? Surely Edward VIII coins are the rarest of all modern coins - I must admit i love Edward V11 coins as well You can hardly call Edward VIII a reign! And none of his coins were officially issued, and I did use the word "scarce" not "rare"

There must be something about Thames mud that preserves those coins rather nicely. There's amazing detail and apart from the ultra-dark patina, little signs of corrosion. Good finds!

Ooh, ignoring Edward VII, the scarcest reign of modern times, and George V, arguably the most interesting reign of modern times?

I suppose, in one sense, you could describe the 'wide date' as a 'large date' (and vice versa). But the existing terms are perfectly adequate and more accurate, so though technically Stack's aren't wrong, it's irritating, I can see that.

Avoid any offer by any Mint, especially Pobjoy and its ilk, but that includes the Royal Mint too, which has a nice sideline in "limited edition" issues which collectors cannot get back what they paid for. I would start by finding a reputable coin dealer nearest to you, and cultivating their acquaintance. They will be glad to spend time with a new collector, who might spend money with them over time. Or the good folks here will readily give of their time, experience, and advice.

It would'nt be in my collection Peter Nor mine! Though I'd certainly find room for Peter's irony

It's a very rare coin by modern standards. If you've seen one go for £2700, then that's what one person was prepared to pay for one. The only thing against it is that it's a decimal coin, and - 20p mule aside - is the only well known decimal rarity, in a market that's dominated by over-priced Royal Mint issues and slashed-price secondary market decimals. I don't see Charles coming to the throne will make any difference to its value, and whether you keep hold of it depends entirely on your needs and wants. If you're a coin collector, £2,700 would buy you some very nice 20th Century items, or a smaller number of pre-20thC coins. I know what I'd do!

The 1903 and 1905 went west ages ago, can't afford to be a date collector! I wondered what you thought of the grade? Difficult. The reverse looks like it's unworn but definitely polished. The obverse looks less polished but has some rubbing so I'd say EF or GEF at best. So... GEF/UNC cleaned ? I still have so much to learn, I think I can spot cleaned and dipped (sometimes!) but not necessarily polished! I need more tell-tale signs to go by if anyone has them? EF/GEF, was my grading ... Yes, your grade is probably more realistic, though it's hard to spot any wear on the reverse. Quick guide to the difference between polishing and dipping : POLISHING - makes the coin artificially shiny, and reflective. (Do not confuse with lots of 19thC UNC early strikes where the FIELDS are highly reflective, but the DESIGN - while not frosted - isn't.) DIPPING - removes tarnish and other toning, but actually has the opposite effect to polishing - it makes the coin an overall dull appearance, i.e. as if no lustre is present (the chemical reaction probably removes lustre, in fact). Very brief dipping - such as Dave did on that ugly-toned 1913 halfcrown - can improve the look of a coin, but it has to be a few seconds only. A long dip makes it dull dull dull. Do also bear in mind that people use the term "dipping' in two different ways. Some mean any chemical that cleans, which includes stuff that can make a coin look polished. Others (as I do) mean "silver dip" which is a specific type of chemical compound, that always imparts the dullness I spoke of, if done to excess. That's brilliant Peck thanks! How about CLEANING? I always look for faint 'brush-strokes' but I don't know what else to look for? CLEANING is a generic term. Polishing and dipping are two very common types of cleaning, but also BUFFING (the gentle application of a Brillo pad ), RUBBING (over-enthusiastic use of a cloth), or the use of any surface-altering chemical would count as cleaning. Even soaking in olive oil to remove verdigris, or a quick dip in surgical spirit to remove grease or 'filming', would count as cleaning, but in those cases, would not have a detrimental effect.

The 1903 and 1905 went west ages ago, can't afford to be a date collector! I wondered what you thought of the grade? Difficult. The reverse looks like it's unworn but definitely polished. The obverse looks less polished but has some rubbing so I'd say EF or GEF at best. So... GEF/UNC cleaned ? I still have so much to learn, I think I can spot cleaned and dipped (sometimes!) but not necessarily polished! I need more tell-tale signs to go by if anyone has them? EF/GEF, was my grading ... Yes, your grade is probably more realistic, though it's hard to spot any wear on the reverse. Quick guide to the difference between polishing and dipping : POLISHING - makes the coin artificially shiny, and reflective. (Do not confuse with lots of 19thC UNC early strikes where the FIELDS are highly reflective, but the DESIGN - while not frosted - isn't.) DIPPING - removes tarnish and other toning, but actually has the opposite effect to polishing - it makes the coin an overall dull appearance, i.e. as if no lustre is present (the chemical reaction probably removes lustre, in fact). Very brief dipping - such as Dave did on that ugly-toned 1913 halfcrown - can improve the look of a coin, but it has to be a few seconds only. A long dip makes it dull dull dull. Do also bear in mind that people use the term "dipping' in two different ways. Some mean any chemical that cleans, which includes stuff that can make a coin look polished. Others (as I do) mean "silver dip" which is a specific type of chemical compound, that always imparts the dullness I spoke of, if done to excess.

I do like 'em, I must admit. It's the only brass coin we've had, the only dodeca-sided coin, and a short run (1937 - 1967) with huge variation in mintages. Plus a mega-rare Eddie 8 pattern. What's not to like?

How does such a horrible scratch appear on BOTH sides?

The 1903 and 1905 went west ages ago, can't afford to be a date collector! I wondered what you thought of the grade? Difficult. The reverse looks like it's unworn but definitely polished. The obverse looks less polished but has some rubbing so I'd say EF or GEF at best. So... GEF/UNC cleaned ?

I was wondering the same thing. It would be like trying to work out how many 1953 plastic sets survive unbroken.

It is pretty much sorted chronologically, but within main design type, so all the Britannias are together, and all the 'lion on crowns', etc. Some reverses were recycled, the best known being the Victorian Jubilee Head florin, by George V. Once you know what the wear points are for that reverse, having the George V would be a little redundant. However, others suggest there is an index, or table of contents?

I made a date typo; it should be January 11th. The link, https://ssl.bowersandmerena.com/auctions/AuctionLots.aspx?AuctionID=179&SessionID=330, should take you there. Thanks Declan. No problem, Cathrine. No, that's a bog standard 1862 and it's got four little chunks out of the edge... It certainly is a bog standard 1862, plus verdigris. Who on earth would bid $900 without doing "due diligence"?

? Still not finding an auction for 13th January ?? PLEASE, post a LINK

A link would help. I just went to Stack's site and there are auctions on the 12th and 14th January but nothing for the 13th. Can someone please post a direct link not only to that auction, but the section with the mentioned coins in ?

A very odd festive season this year, my wife who has been in hospital over Xmas came home today Then this evening, i get news that my brother has just been admitted to hospital So sitting on my tod waiting for New Year - large Scotch at the ready! Happy New Year All David Hope everything is OK, David & Happy New Year again to you. My girl friend has rheumatoid arthritis, which sadly she developed 2 years ago, at the exceptionally early age of 31. So she isn't really fit enough for a night on the town. But it's not my scene and never has been. I've always preferred to stop in and watch the telly at New Year. The only time I did go out, we had to pay to get in the bloody pub, and it was one of those with a log fire, which I found myself backed onto and pretty much unable to move, spending hours trying to keep my arse from frying !!! IF that's the same thing that film star Kathleen Turner got (big "if"), she was improved several hundred % by a swimming regime she was put on. Edited to add: This, from Wikipedia: "1990s - slowed by disease Turner remained an A-list film star leading lady until the early 1990s, when rheumatoid arthritis seriously restricted her activities and her movie career went into rapid decline. Also, some of Turner's choices at that time proved to be poor – she turned down lead roles in 'Ghost' and 'The Bridges of Madison County', both of which became big hits. The arthritis diagnosis was made in 1992 after Turner had suffered "unbearable" pain for about a year. By the time she was diagnosed, she "could hardly turn her head or walk, and was told she would end up in a wheelchair."[3] As the disease worsened and the medication greatly altered Turner's looks, along with excess alcohol consumption that Turner said she used to kill her physical pain, her once promising film career as a leading lady took a nose dive and Turner was seen in fewer and fewer blockbusters — though Turner also blamed her age, stating that "when I was forty the roles started slowing down, I started getting offers to play mothers and grandmothers ..." She appeared in the low-budget House of Cards, experienced moderate success with John Waters's black comedy Serial Mom, and had supporting roles in A Simple Wish, The Real Blonde, and Sofia Coppola's acclaimed The Virgin Suicides. 2000s - remission Despite drug therapy to help her condition, the disease progressed for about eight years. Then, thanks to newly available treatments, her arthritis went into remission. She was seen increasingly on television, including three episodes of Friends, where she appeared as Chandler Bing's estranged, gay father, who works as a drag queen in Las Vegas. She also provided the voice of Malibu Stacy's creator, Stacy Lovell on the episode "Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy" on The Simpsons. She played a defense attorney on Law & Order. In 2006, Turner guest starred on FX's acclaimed Nip/Tuck, playing a phone sex operator in need of laryngeal surgery. She appeared in a small role in 2008's Marley & Me. In 2009, she played the role of Charlie Runkle's sexually hyperactive boss in Season 3 of the television series Californication."

If you Google "Humorous Amazon reviews" you will find loads more! There's one that even works in Paul Ross to his review

I doubt it - 53/52 makes sense, but 53/42 doesn't, really.

in time with The Wizard Of Oz?

Saw them three or four times in the early seventies at such venues as Earl's Court and the Finsbury Park Rainbow. Absolutely my favourite band for many years but think they lost it from The Wall onwards. I saw them three times : 1971 The Crystal Palace "Garden Party" 1972 The Lanchester Arts Festival 1975 Knebworth And a good time was had by all!

Ditto!