Accumulator

This is the 1918H which has arrived from Spink NY. It was relatively cheap, so I'm quite happy with the punt on a poor photo. The coin has 95% lustre and doesn't suffer from the really heavy ghosting on the reverse, however it's a typically poor strike with low definition and a mushy looking Britannia. I'm beginning to wonder if any better example's exist?

Not seen that. Very handy, though it could leave one tempted to make that extra bid you can't really afford!

If you don't mind suggestions, a few areas could possibly be tidied: "Lots of British coin related discussions" and "Enquiries about British coins" are much about the same thing, and "Ooo err, Hmmmm?" never really gets used. "Third party grading" and "Coin photography" might be useful forums to add in their own right. The "Free for all" is almost entirely about eBay, so perhaps this could be renamed "eBay" (droppping the 'laughs'). That's about it!

That doesn't surprise me, after talking to them!

I just won $8 on the Powerball so I am moving in the right direction "To sleep, perchance to dream" That's a staggering, but I'm sure quite accurate, figure Rob. If Heritage can shift $100 million coins in a single week then it's interesting to speculate that the market would probably be able to absorb the whole collection (had it not already been sold) at today's prices too.

I emailed 3 days ago asking for photos but haven't even had a reply, so I phoned and very much got the impression that viewing in person is the only option. I'd offer to look at the farthings for you, but my knowledge in that area is somewhat limited. If you want a photo of a particular coin I'll do my best with a camera when I'm there.

I've noticed that sale too but, as you say, terrible photos and many of the coins aren't even shown. The only answer for me is a trip down there at the weekend, as it's not too far. I agree though, they're looking for a sizeable cut from buyers, which I'll certainly factor in should I bid.

Thanks again guys. Actually I got something slightly wrong, Armin Brand is the brother of Virgil, not his son. Interesting background on their extensive collection (386,000 coins!) and its disposal here. Anyway, I've written to the ANS and their archivist has been very helpful. She has kindly offered to check their collection of Brand papers and ledgers (referenced above). There may be a small fee if the search is extensive, but I feel it's worth it. I'm beginning to get a glimpse of what Rob and others go through when trying to establish provenance!

Very hard to tell from the photos, Peckris, but the hair in particular almost looks like a rusty die? It could of course have been re-tooled to give the impression of a few more curls!

I've managed to talk to a gentleman who is numismatic advisor to the Eric P Newman Education Society and obtained some further interesting information. Also background which may help other purchasers of these coins. "mux" (as several have suggested) is indeed a cost code used by a St. Louis coin dealer Burdette G Johnson to represent his buy-in price of $1. Eric P Newman paid the stated $4 for the coin, from him. A large number of EPN's coins apparently came, via Mr Johnson, from the Estate of "Colonel" E H R Green. My coin is not one of these, but the story of these coins, and the records kept, make an interesting read: B G Johnson's Ledger "Colonel" E H R Green It is believed that my coin came from Armin Brand, son of a another noted collector Virgil Brand, but apparently they don't have absolute proof. Proof may lie in these papers held by the American Numismatic Society which are open to consultation. Maybe a task for another day!

I've received the following reply from an "International Cataloguer" at Heritage: The coins were actually stored in those envelopes for the better part of the last several decades. I do not know what MUX stands for. Eric used a variety of different codes for dealers or auction firms from which he purchased the coins, but not all of them are readily apparent nor did he provide us with a breakdown. $4.00 was indeed his original purchase price. I hadn't realised that what I thought of as an index card is in fact an envelope in which the coin was stored (it hasn't arrived here yet). So we know that "mux" probably represents the seller. I might ask on a US forum as there are bound to be other buyers there, some of whom may have looked into these 'codes'.

I'm using Safari and can't see where it shows the number of times a post has been 'liked'? As long as it's not Facebook-linked I'm happy. I don't feel the need to enter that particular world.

I saw it too and wrote to the seller when the auction ended early. Apparently the seller was only an agent for the owner and, once they realised what the coin was, have decided to de-list it and take 'expert' advice.

Interesting. Let us know if it is different type?

Yes, I watched all those drift by, David! I decided I couldn't live with the grade on any of them apart from the F17, which I got for £50 or so. Happy with that... Who is that mystery seller? Penny Dealer.co.uk doesn't work any more...I'll find out when it arrives I suppose... There was a fantastic 1863 Open 3 on eBay about 2 weeks ago, which went for £800+. I did leave a proxy bid but went out for the evening. When I looked later, I'd missed out by a fair margin! The seller of the 1863 and other coins you mention is a well-known collector. Well done on the F-17 Declan. I did buy the F-28 as a reasonably priced gap filler. London Coins have sold a couple in the past few years at £500+

And the coin I bought is in the gallery I think all his coins are

Interesting sideline David!

Almost the numismatic equivalent of a business card. Very nice!

Woolley & Wallis sold a 1919KN cupro-nickel penny at auction last year, together with full provenance. It went for something like £7K as I recall. There's a thread somewhere here with all the details.

That's probably it, Nick! I'm glad you found an article in the DT, not the DM…. Peckris would never forgive me!

Yes, but we know different now, than all the population that was fed blatant propaganda at the outset of the war. NOW we know that millions died in vain in a futile titanic struggle between Empires, and it honours absolutely no-one, not even Kitchener, that every death in WW1 is now "commemorated" by that now ridiculed and risible poster. As you say, 100 years have passed, and we should be taking a respectful stand as the Queen does every November 11th at the Cenotaph. Suppose instead of a red poppy she and all the people there, wore T Shirts carrying that poster? The nation would be in uproar and rightfully so. I agree with your sentiment Peckris though I've read recently that the famous Kitchener 'poster' was never actually a poster and wasn't used for recruiting before or during WW1. The RM seem to be have jumped aboard that popular myth rather than celebrate the real lives that were lost.

But do we know who it was who was fined $2.50 for trespassing on the King's private roads?? Boe, presumably. At least he got away with just a Fine for the misdemeanour, It could have been a far more costly Extremely Fine! Or no longer able to circulate Didn't he die in the end? Yes, legend has it (though I've seen no proof) that the tender karats in his field were hammered by the reign, his mule died and, despite some relief, he later suffered a business strike and his fortunes went into reverse. He's buried in a tomb somewhere, marked only by slab with a small inscription.

But do we know who it was who was fined $2.50 for trespassing on the King's private roads?? Boe, presumably. At least he got away with just a Fine for the misdemeanour, It could have been a far more costly Extremely Fine!

Interesting! A very similar index card to mine. I've written to Heritage, so let's see what they come up with.