Accumulator

I've just read the whole thread through and stumbled upon this nugget. Absolutely right it skews the perception of rarity in the market. Similarly, I guess, if collectors wish to realise some cash then it's a lot easier to sell a few big coins than part with the bulk of the rest of their collection.

Very true, but if Bill Gates or Warren Buffett decided, tomorrow, to collect coins I'm sure it wouldn't take a few well-placed and well-rewarded dealers long to acquire most of things they wanted!

A noble ambition - but where do you draw the line? Ok, you've always had a 1922/27 which is mega rare, but what others do you aim to get? Obviously 1933 is the commonest one that's out of reach (well, compared to 1920 type 2, 1926ME reverse 1927, 1922ME, 1952, 1953 type 1, and 1954!!), but there must be very rare issues you don't know if you will ever see or afford? Better late than never (it's been a busy week)... I don't really have a line beyond which I won't go, other than the natural limits of availability and price, which for me are always changing. I therefore see no reason to give up on the possibility of one day owning a 1933 penny, or indeed any other coin. Never say never, there's always the lottery! Though less obvious than some of the headline coins, I'm still picking up patterns and proofs when I can. I also have many gaps in the early bun series which wouldn't cost a mortgage to fill. Overall there's a long way still to go, even with the relatively cheaper coins. Like most of us, it's far more likely that I'll run out of time than of coins I still need to collect!

Rather late to this thread, but it's been a hectic week in the real world. Well done Tom! Hope I can manage 10 years!

I was walking down the road the other day when I saw a woman carrying a large tv set. Hang on, I thought, that's mine…. ...Then I remembered mine was at home ironing my shirts! (Balance redressed again )

There are both obv and rev unifaces. I need one of these too. Join the club!

Mostly, yes. Though owners generally wish to remain private. Ah ok, that makes sens, so it's private owners? I was wondering (hoping) it would have been museums or the like. The British Museum and Royal Mint museum both have an example.

Mostly, yes. Though owners generally wish to remain private.

I decided some years ago to focus almost exclusively on a single denomination, the penny from 1797 - 1970. My impossible objective is to collect an example of each date and variety, together with the patterns and proofs. Although the collection has fixed boundaries, the difficulty and cost of filling the 'gaps' does become ever greater! Like others, I have considered a second collection but, aside from picking up a few bits and pieces, have always returned to the pennies. For me, sticking to a single defined period and denomination fits well with the time available for a hobby and the budget that I can afford.

Like many I disagreed with Benn's views but liked the man and always enjoyed listening to his argument. He also had time for others with whom he vehemenantly disagreed. This rather poignant piece about Thatcher for example: Although I thought she was wrong, she said what she meant and meant what she said. It was not about style with her; it was substance – I don’t think she listened to spin doctors, she just had a clear idea and followed it through. I remember her at the funeral of MP Eric Heffer. I was asked to make a speech and as I was waiting, there was someone behind me coughing. It was Mrs Thatcher, and at the end I thanked her for coming and she burst into tears. She had come out of respect for someone whose opinions she disagreed with.”

Interested at all? http://www.dnw.co.uk/auctions/catalogue/lot.php?auction_id=306&lot_id=271 It's a very nice example, but I'm not willing to pay that price for just a curio.

Few pennies in this sale, unfortunately.

Patience isn't one of my better atributes.....my problem is keeping track of which auctions are coming up. A diary page on the forum would be really useful. Agreed ... and fairs too. As Azda points out, we wouldn't want it visible to all and sundry, so a thread in the member's section would be best. The BNTA events page is a good start.

What did you think about the results for lot 43 - Wyon's Incorrupta pattern? Did that sell? Seemed like the best I've seen, beautiful toning. I love Wyon's patterns. One of these days, maybe I can afford an UNA! I've always had this fantasy about being on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and getting to the million dollar question .. which asks "What type of item did the Victorian design 'Una and the Lion' appear on?" A. A toilet bowl B. A gold coin C. A tea service D. A London tram I'd look across at Tarrant and I'd say, "You know Chris - I know the answer to this one". Well, I can dream, can't I? I'll be your 'phone a friend', for half the winnings!

The top one may have been awarded to Jimi Hendrix in 1970?

I'll answer my own post then..... .......reason I ask is I bid £2250 on the 1919KN (at the £1-2K estimate I think it was) and thought I was sure to get it. When I last mentioned the LC example on offer at £3250 in another thread, most thought it well over priced......so is this the way prices are going for top grade pennies? Certainly the LC coin looks nice, but it's been sitting around for a while (at least a year) which would leave me slightly suspicious that that it doesn't view quite so well in hand. Surprising they don't put it in one of their own auctions, as it's a fair amount of money to be tied up for so long.

They're in his book, which I have here, but not on his site (as far as I can see). The book's well worth buying though, I agree!

The logical conclusion from that is, if you regard coin collecting as an investment and are particularly concerned to see a "big profit" on your investment, then slab when you are ready to sell and not before. If that time is decades off, and slabbing has gone out of fashion by then, you won't be making any expensive mistakes. That makes complete sense. I have no intention of slabbing my coins for my own benefit, but would certainly consider this if I was planning to dispose of the entire collection (I'm not). Virtually all Heritage's coins are sold in slabs which, from their point of view, passes a good deal of the responsibility for grading, attribution, condition etc. to a third party and must significantly reduce their liability. Moderators: If possible, could we move this thread to the new TPG discussion area?

I completely agree with the above. On the basis that a picture paints a 1000 words, here's an 'open 3' (on the right), compared with a normal 3.

I have a VIP 1949 penny and have a seen a few others around. The 1960's VIP coins seem the hardest to find.

Just got to my desk and checked St. James. Luckily I missed the only three pennies as I've spent way too much recently! How did you see the price of the Henry VIII sovereign, Rob? The Salesroom just states 'not available for on line bidding' and gives no selling price. I was listening, as I had a list of 4 possibles. Got one. Of course... I forgot about the audio! Glad you picked up something. Some stunning coins in the sale.

It floats my boat! I understood that production of VIP proofs is generally a separate activity from the minting of coins for circulation to the public (whether as currency or proof sets). I could be wrong though. I don't know about 1953 but, based on the appearance of coins in auctions and elsewhere over the years, I'd assume that no more than around 10-20 sets were produced each year. I would expect 1953 to be the same. They are desirable because of their mule status, but probably about as numerous as VIP proofs for other years.

No sorry if that's how it reads. The value as is now £110. My point was it should not make a difference to customer service whether the coin is worth X amount, but they have missed out on my future dealings as it could of totalled to the £1000's. No problem Lee. Just wanted to make sure as we've all seen mules listed on eBay for ludicrous four figure sums. I sat in the room at London Coins auction last Sunday and watched about ten of them pass across the block at £35-80 a time (dependent upon grade), so that's about the value right now. I do share your frustration at CGS. They really need to take their business seriously or they're just going to be sidelined.

Welcome to the forum. Unfortunately Bill Pugsley hasn't visited for a while. I've never used CGS but I'm sure you'll get a few useful responses from other members. I can understand why you're frustrated, based on what you have said and on the photos, but feel I should point out that a 20p mule isn't a £5,000 - £6,000 coin (if that's what you meant), but worth around £40 - £60. This shouldn't make any difference to the service you receive, but it's important that you aren't mis-led about its value.

Just got to my desk and checked St. James. Luckily I missed the only three pennies as I've spent way too much recently! How did you see the price of the Henry VIII sovereign, Rob? The Salesroom just states 'not available for on line bidding' and gives no selling price.