Jules

Thanks all. 2*2 Flips sound promising.

Hello Currently I'm storing my coins in albums which have clear plastic pockets. However, I've read that these are not the best long-term solution because of contamination from the plastic. I've been considering switching to Lindner capsules (maybe with the annular inserts which adjust to differently sized coins). I'd be grateful for any advice on the pros and cons. Regards Jules

I believe the seller may be wrong. "Very bright" usually means polished (is it highly reflective?) A coin that is briefly dipped, simply loses its toning which may be anything from desirable blue or coloured to undesirable tarnish. A coin that is OVER-dipped loses its sparkle completely and acquires a kind of flat dull clean uniformity that to my eyes is not handsome at all. Of these, you can rate in order of UNdesirability (and lowered values) : 1. polished 2. heavily dipped 3. lightly dipped "Very bright" was my phrase and probably misleading. The coin has no toning, appears very clean but isn't particularly reflective.

Hi I've been offered a UNC 1915 half crown that the seller says has been dipped, it does appear to be very bright. What would be a fair price for such a coin, as compared to a UNC example with no problems? Thanks.

Is there an online source which describes how modern coins are struck? I might find it easier to understand how errors occur with a bit more knowledge of the manufacturing process, it all seems like interesting stuff.

Hi Found this 1987 penny with a 'blob' on the reverse (see the corner of the port cullis near the N in ONE). Appears to be a bit of metal, perhaps from a previously struck coin, that's got stuck on somehow. Does this sort of thing occur regularly? Thanks.

It worries me that a dealer would sell such a coin without a clear description of exactly what it is, even if it is a 1933 penny which everyone should know about. Still, this thread has been a useful lesson for me, for which I am grateful. It will be a while before I dare buy any coins on eBay!

You can buy silver VAT-free through BullionVault, but you'd incur storage charges.

Ah, glad I didn't stump up the 125 quid then

Hi I'm very new to coin collecting and even newer to this forum. I'm interested in British coins 1900 -> decimalisation, I don't know much about the subject yet, but I'm enjoying the journey. One thing I thought I knew though, was that 1933 pennies were exceedingly scarce! However, while browsing the website of a prominent dealer in British coins, I spotted two 1933 pennies at GBP 125 each. My eventual thought was that they must be replicas, and that this must be so obvious to all but me that the vendor doesn't bother to point it out. Can anyone help me?