Peckris

I don't know where you're located, but I'd echo the others' advice - stay away from that penny, it's not a good one!

There are 200,000 out there serving 2,000 people who actually want one and another 20,000 punters who want a fast buck.Look at 1951 pennies there are probably 119,950 surviving of which 119,000 are UNC.They were £30 in 1965 and about £30 today.Buy an 18C coin avoiding 1758 1/- 1787 6d & 1/- any Lima coins...or maybe a book...investing in coins is very easy I agree with your analysis Peter, but not with that part - although those are the commonest coins of their era by far (plus the 1754 farthing, 1775 halfpenny, 1806 halfpenny, and several others), they are not nearly so common in high grade; they are well worth a punt in EF or better, and their increasing prices over the years proves that.

Another quality item from mintstate17!!!!!!!!!!!! Not. Isn't that the very rare "Missing E in ONE variety?"

Scratch that itch with postdecimal proof sets! Seriously, they go at auction for no more than half their Spink listed value, they are nice and shiny, and they don't cost a bomb. In fact, when I start looking out some coins for you, I intend to offload some of my proof sets - how does 1974 1975 and 1976 grab you? And maybe one of 1978 or 1979 into the bargain.

While we're on the subject, can anyone enlighten me how it is that professional football and tennis players can strut their stuff (for no pay) at The Olympics, while professional boxers cannot? Seems not only unjust, but completely farcical.

Oh well, that means a lot fewer fake 1887 £2s and £5s on the market Unless they were on their way to MAKE some more?

What's with the Brasso, can't you afford duraglit ?. Much better shine Peter. There are many 1973 proofs that would benefit greatly from your Brasso Peter Heathen, philistine. Have you no respect for coins !. Someone probably said the same things about all those rare coins you are seeking now, one day my cheap tat is going to be the next 1933 penny. Look at it this way, if people keep buying the silver and old content coins for scrap soon the few left that are common are going to be rare, and possibly sooner than you think. likewise those who scrap all the old worn pennies to keep the numbers down. Keep your Brasso away from mine.... LOL - you probably haven't seen the very worst 1973 proofs! I can tell you in all seriousness that Brasso would do those a BIG favour. It was a bad year...

What's with the Brasso, can't you afford duraglit ?. Much better shine Peter. There are many 1973 proofs that would benefit greatly from your Brasso Peter

The rule is one picture per POST not thread. The usual way is to post one in the opener then add a reply to your own thread with the second in. By the way, your picture is H-U-G-E and blurry, you might want to reduce in size to around 800x600 pixels, and do something about the blur (which may be the focus on your camera?) Having said all that, my opinion is that this is a Crusader piece - I have one with an almost identical "cross" reverse. The obverse appears to have a plan of a castle in the centre, which makes the Crusader hypothesis even more likely. That makes it probably early medieval, or 14thC at the latest.

I'm always suspicious of "rainbow" toning - I just can't see how it can be natural? (I.e. with red yellow and blue all present). If yours had just been blue where it's toned, I would have said "great natural toning". As it is, it really doesn't look bad, in fact it looks nice, but.... And is there a huge gouge on the cheek?

I have only two and haven't thought of increasing that number - one is the common 1928 as part of my UNC 1928 set. The other is a 1931 which is not even EF but has nice toning. On the other hand, my complete set of last issue George V halfcrowns is something I will always treasure. But even there, my 1934 needs upgrading from GEF and my 1930 from GVF+ so there's always targets.

All I can say from experience - as someone who once dealt via an outlet in an antiques centre and via a postal list, simultaneously - is that there may not be a reliable and defining answer. In my own case, sometimes sales from the list would beat the centre hands down, other times it would be the other way around. On rare occasions (e.g. Christmas!) both would do well, and more often, neither. Auction houses will tell you that time of year, weather, economic climate, can all have an effect on how many people turn up and how much they are willing to spend. They will also tell you that trying to predict the outcome of a particular sale is absolutely 100% impossible. Also talk to Derek (RedRiley) and Rob; both sell via websites so could be more use on that side of things.

Party underway again

If these are mainly for investment rather than frequent taking out and loving, then acid-free paper envelopes would be ideal (they are sold specially for coins). The first, last and most important thing ever at all times with no exceptions is - KEEP THEM DRY!!! Temperature doesn't matter too much for silver, copper and bronze (and gold), but a dry humidity-free atmosphere is paramount. The second thing is to keep them free from pollutants - PVC, coastal salt in the air, acids, fumes, dyes, fingers etc. Lustre may fade somewhat over the years but it won't disappear if the coins are stored with care.

Happy Noo Year! I too started as a schoolkid in the 60s, after I saw a weird copper coin in a junk shop for 6d - it was dated 1672 and had the legend CAROLVS A CAROLO. It was a while before I - a Latin scholar no less! - sussed that it signified 'Charles son of Charles', i.e. Charles II. By the way, I only just thought of this, but is that the only occurrence in UK coins of a monarch mentioning his/her parent monarch on coins? From there I was hooked and tried to get one of every date of penny. It was ages before I managed to work out that the big gap between 1922 and 1927 had a reason. My first 1926 was an ME - but again, it was a year before I realised that's what it was. I bought a few coins haphazardly (farthings, 1887 shilling, 1919KN), and looked through hundreds and hundreds of bank bags. Eventually I "grew up", went to university and put my collection to bed for a few years. Since then I've reactivated my interest several times. Penny and halfcrown runs (1860 to 1967, 1911 to 1967 respectively) and good examples of other denominations and series. Then I turned to type collecting as date runs seemed limited - just rows of identical looking coins, and every lower grade example nagging away "upgrade me". When I became a small-time dealer in the mid-1990s, one lot of ancient coins came up at auction, which stimulated a minor interest in Roman and Greek. And various other lots including early milled coins, and always the feeling of "keep the better things for yourself". My type collection is far from complete - there are early milled silver types which I know will take more years than I have, to complete. I buy very little these days. Mobility is a problem, plus the fact that there are few to no dealers in the SW. That stops me spending my money quite effectively! Plus I have many other interests in addition to coins. I love my collection though, even though it's not complete.

Unfortunately, when I were a lad, decimalisation was imminent and EVERYONE was doing exactly that! I was going through 5/- bags of stuff from all the local banks, and anything of a decent age in good condition, got snaffled straight into my collection (1938 halfpenny UNC good lustre, 1935 halfpenny EF lustre, 1909 halfpenny GVF, for example). But I also kept lots of virtually BU coins dated between 1965 and 1967 - still worthless even now. We all knew the low mintage of 1965 Scottish shillings, and in 1967-1970 there were plenty to be picked up in change, virtually BU. They haven't exactly proved to be the 'dead cert' investment we all thought. See, there he goes again, always telling me what he has but never offering to sell them, even if they are worthless as he puts it. Might as well just throw them at me then hadn't you . I HAVE offered to sell you some coins. I've also told you that with my mobility problems, it's not going to be quick. Try breathing in a few times, counting to ten slowly, and be patient. Actually I was messing about and not being serious Peck, sort of like everyone has them and your all teasing me . I understand your mobility problem rather better than you may imagine, and so I also understand how hard it is to get about, I am housebound for various reasons or I would of been at plenty of bric a brac shops and car boots by now. It is also why I am online and post at very weird times, more than most. I have patience, and so it is not a problem, but I also have to be honest and say, I forgot it was you who I spoke to. Sorry about that, it's not like me to do that either. That's ok (makes NY resolution to sort out some crap coins for Gollum)

Unfortunately, when I were a lad, decimalisation was imminent and EVERYONE was doing exactly that! I was going through 5/- bags of stuff from all the local banks, and anything of a decent age in good condition, got snaffled straight into my collection (1938 halfpenny UNC good lustre, 1935 halfpenny EF lustre, 1909 halfpenny GVF, for example). But I also kept lots of virtually BU coins dated between 1965 and 1967 - still worthless even now. We all knew the low mintage of 1965 Scottish shillings, and in 1967-1970 there were plenty to be picked up in change, virtually BU. They haven't exactly proved to be the 'dead cert' investment we all thought. See, there he goes again, always telling me what he has but never offering to sell them, even if they are worthless as he puts it. Might as well just throw them at me then hadn't you . I HAVE offered to sell you some coins. I've also told you that with my mobility problems, it's not going to be quick. Try breathing in a few times, counting to ten slowly, and be patient.

Don't suppose you have any examples of these do you Declan? When I look at mine it looks like its the middle diamond that doesn't touch the baseline ? of course... Type 1 above, Type 2 below... That's SUCH a micro-variety, and neither of them rare ... it's not what motivates me, I have to admit.

Correct No-one. There has not been a King (or Queen) of England since 1707. Sophistry, my dear Watson. The United Kingdom includes England, therefore there have always been kings and queens of England.

I've had a look at a few websites featuring them, and none give the orientation I'm afraid.

Unfortunately, when I were a lad, decimalisation was imminent and EVERYONE was doing exactly that! I was going through 5/- bags of stuff from all the local banks, and anything of a decent age in good condition, got snaffled straight into my collection (1938 halfpenny UNC good lustre, 1935 halfpenny EF lustre, 1909 halfpenny GVF, for example). But I also kept lots of virtually BU coins dated between 1965 and 1967 - still worthless even now. We all knew the low mintage of 1965 Scottish shillings, and in 1967-1970 there were plenty to be picked up in change, virtually BU. They haven't exactly proved to be the 'dead cert' investment we all thought.

I agree. It's not a bad looking issue at all. It's just unfortunate that - like the very attractive 1997 crown - it's so common.

According to our esteemed Mr Groom, there are two kinds of 1959 Scottish shilling. Look at the 3 little diamonds at the base of the crown. Type 1: all 3 touch the baseline Type 2: only the left hand diamond touches the baseline. In my experience, type 2 is commoner. 18 Type 2s have passed through my hands in the last 5 years, compared to 12 Type 1s. Thanks Declan. I was rather confused as I don't have any reference books for this as yet, I still hope the wife will oblige me soon, after all it is my money she spends . How are we doing with finding me my penny ? . A good inexpensive set to get you going would be : • the latest CCGB (Collectors Coins GB) which lists all values and most minor varieties, from 1797 (copper) and 1816 (silver) • from the same publishers (this site) : Check Your Change, for decimal issues • both of Dave Groom's guides to 20th Century varieties : one for bronze, one for silver etc. All those guides can be ordered via this site. You can then save up for Davies (silver varieties from 1816) and Gouby (bronze pennies from 1860), if you fancy them. There is also the annual Spink Standard Catalogue which lists all reigns and types from Roman times up to the latest waste-of-time-and-space issues from our esteemed Royal Mint - a good general reference book.

I bought two, which the Royal Mail has f**king lost. And they were only sent Recorded Delivery too.

no wonder us mere mortals struggle. the gothic crowns are still may fav though, whatever their called, the design is amazing. No argument there!