RobJ

Hi King Norton, Welcome to the forum. Sadly as I am new here I'm unable to offer you any advice. However I'm sure that a more knowledgeable member will be able to give you the answers that you require I would also advise uploading a picture of both the Obverse and Reverse of your coin if you are able to do so.

It really is hard to be sure one way or another at the moment, as the quality of the pictures make it quite inconclusive. I can see what you are saying in relation to the comparison of the letters, but it really is just a case of waiting until it arrives. And yes, if it is an overstrike of any kind then it must be a BB. Or would it technically be a Britanniar with R/B? And if so would that be a whole new variety? I just don't know! lol I know that I for one am most interested in finding out as I do like a good mystery! lol

Which, in all honesty, is why I wrote it. I had had enough of seeing coins on e-bay being exaggerated by as much as two grades. Experienced collectors could make their own way through this minefield but the less experienced and particularly kids were in danger of being well and truly ripped off. Sorry if that sounds a bit sanctimonious but it did provide me with my motivation to keep going. Although my knowledge is very limited even I can tell that a large amount of listings on EBay are grossly over graded. And I do think that a lot of people with little or no knowledge of the grading system will have had the wool pulled over their eyes and their pockets lightened either intentionally or unintentionally by the seller. Also as Peter stated, even when people, including dealers, are questioned on their own grades the response can be less than receptive to say the least judging by some of the things that I have read in the EBay Laughs topic. I don't think you sound sanctimonious at all Red. In fact I think that you should be commended for at least trying to address this issue.

And not forgetting 'Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines'

I have been pondering over the images this evening and I'm wondering if it could be a case of instead of it being a spelling error in the die as a possibility as suggested earlier by 1949, could it perhaps be a case of an overstrike of a B/R or R/B? To me that would make much more sense as although it does look like an R, it doesn't look like a 'normal' R. Or am I completely misunderstanding things here and that is what the error on the coin actually is? lol Hopefully soon you will have that coin in your hand and you will be able to pop it under your microscope and perhaps solve this little mystery once and for all.

It was Dick Dastardly that had the catchphrase of 'Drat and Double Drat'.

Hi Hussulo, Thanks for the welcome.

I couldn't agree with you more 1949, it really is an invaluable book. What surprised me was what actually constituted a certain grade and it's not hard at all to see why there is such contention. And I think that until there is a universally accepted standard which is adhered too throughout the coin collecting world, such contention will always exist. Everyone will have their own ideas and opinions on grading which is why I think a book such as this is really essential for any coin collector - in particular novices - as perhaps those who do use will have at least have a standard reference guide to assist them in grading whether they are a collector or a dealer, and it will hopefully in some small way start to improve the overall grading standard.

I'm not sure if you were able to see it on your IPhone Azda, but Rob attached the picture to the bottom of his post.

It had crossed my mind that if it were the same same coin that it may have been dipped. However, I must admit that I hadn't noticed the bruising. Well spotted!

Oh dear! Not only did I double post - Oops! But I also gave the wrong link - Double Oops! lol Sorry everyone. Hopefully this link will work. www.bloomsburyauctions.com/detail/605/717.0

I'm not sure if this is the same coin or not Azda, if it is then I apologize in advance! If not, then hopefully it may prove useful for comparison for you. It is from an auction from Bloomsbury's in London a couple of years ago with an estimate of £1700 - £1900 but it remained unsold. I hope this helps. bloomsburyauctions.com/fiximages/605/154727.jpg

I'm not sure if this is the same coin or not Azda, if it is then I apologize in advance! If not, then hopefully it may prove useful for comparison for you. It is from an auction from Bloomsbury's in London a couple of years ago with an estimate of £1700 - £1900 but it remained unsold. I hope this helps. bloomsburyauctions.com/fiximages/605/154727.jpg

Feel free to hijack chaps, it's not a problem. lol

Thanks for your advice Colin. I will have to check to see if there are any coin fairs in my area, I'm also looking into any coin shops and antique centres locally too. I do think that a good way to start to learn about coins is to try and see as many as I can in the hand, as it is one thing to see them in a book or a photograph but another to actually see them in the flesh, so to speak. I'll hopefully be popping along to the one that I've already found either today or tomorrow to see what they have on offer.

Hi Colin and 1949, Thank you both for the welcome. I'm starting to settle in nicely thanks, everyone has made me feel most welcome.

Hi Peter, Thanks for the welcome and the advice.

Thank you Red, Azda and Peter for your advice, it really is most appreciated. I'm not looking to coin collecting as any kind of future investment, for me personally it's not about that. If any coins that I do purchase do appreciate over time, then I will see that as a bonus, but for me I hope it to be a fun and absorbing hobby. I do think that with any hobby it is well worth asking and learning as much as you can before starting out, as that way even though mistakes can and probably will be made at least you are not running into things totally blind and it may provide a cushion for the heavy blow that usually follows! lol I will see the books as a guide and a reference only, as that is the reason that I bought them. I know that from reading other posts here that the prices quoted should not be taken as gospel but more as a guide. I do think that buying the best coins in the best grade that you can afford is really sound advice, as over time you can build a nice collection without having the bank manager breaking down your door for instant repayment of your huge overdraft. lol

Hi Red, Thanks for the welcome. Ha Ha! lol You are very welcome and I meant what I said! I believe that credit should be given where credit is due. I actually bought Spink first and when looking through I was thinking to myself that it's one thing to see coins listed as VF and EF etc, but it's quite another to actually know what they should look like and the areas to pay special attention too. I do know that grading is one of the most subjective and contentious issues of this hobby, but I really think that your book is an excellent place to start and is really essential to have!

I've been looking around my local area and I have found a couple of Antique Centres that sell some coins so I've decided to pop along to see what they have on offer. I'm still not exactly sure what to collect as of yet, but I thought maybe a good place to start would be to try to get an example of each coin, excluding gold, from each King/Queen from their Coronation year. For example, 1902 for Edward VII, 1911 for George V, etc. I've also decided that it makes sense to purchase quality over quantity as I think that starting with a few say, EF coins and building up slowly, would be better than buying a lot of cheaper lower grade coins which I would only have to spend more money on at a later date to upgrade. It also makes sense to spend what I can afford and to set a budget and to try to stick to it where possible, as I do think that it could be very easy to get carried away, especially when first starting out as I am. If anyone else has any other advice or tips it would be most appreciated.

Hi David and Peckris, Thank you both for the welcome. Well, When in Rome... As They say lol

Oh really? That is interesting! I know where to come now to ask advice and opinions on the grade of any coins that I may purchase lol Seriously though, it is a truly excellent book, most informative and an essential to any coin collector, especially to a novice such as myself.

I think to be honest the holes are of better quality than the coin is! lol I'm no expert, but I'd say the one in the centre is EF and the rest around VF... Although I do have some nice UNC holes if anyone is interested, I'd even give a discount for bulk purchases lol

Hi Declan, Thanks. I thought that it was not only important to have a couple of books that would tell me about different coins, types and eras, etc But also one that would help me to know what to look for in terms of grade. Knowledge is power, as they say... I think that way now about other things when the bills come through the letterbox, so I'm sure it won't be any different with coins, lol

Hi Azda, The books which I bought were Spink's Coins of England and the UK, Collectors Coins GB and The Standard Guide to Grading British Coins. As for which area I'm thinking of starting with, I'm really not sure if I'm honest, lol There is such a broad range to choose from! I rather like Farthings and Pennys, but I think it's a bit like opening a big tin of sweets, you need to nibble a few to find the ones you like.