Hussulo

I think it could be a trick question. I don't like the look of the coin. The surface doesn't look right, it looks like it might be a cast copy.

Melody as Chris rightly pointed out the green substance is "verdigris" (a green corrosive growth resulting from dampness). It is quite hard to remove without damaging the coin, it is like a disease for coins. It is an oxidation coating that affects copper and bronze. Never store coins affected with verdigris with other coins as it will spread. Since the coins in question in good condition would be collectable (albeit not too valuable) in this condition I too would suggest getting rid of them because you don't want it spreading to your other coins.

Nice coins Melody, a perfect start. It's a great hobby to get into; there is so much history and artistry in each coin. Hopefully you will enjoy collecting and if you ever have any questions just ask. As I was always told whilst serving in the Royal Navy "there are no such things as stupid questions, only stupid answers!". There are many experienced collectors here who will only be too pleased to help. Welcome!

Hi Geordie I read about your avatar in this months Coin News, Coin clinic section. It looks older than 19th century to me, but then again I aint no expert.

"Very common is blob,found some other minor error" This is called a die cud. It is an area of a coin struck by a die that has a complete break across part of its surface. Happy hunting josie, keep me posted if you come across anything interesting. I have bought a couple of error's recently I will post the pictures soon.

I don't know if any of you or perhaps all of you know about these coin related search engines? but they are quite usefull so I thought I would share them here. The CoinArchives.com World Coins database contains coins produced from medieval to modern times. http://www.coinarchives.com/w/ Coins 2.0 is the new age Numismatic Search Engine based on Google CSE technology. It means you can search on hand-picked numismatic websites for most relevant results. http://www.coins2.com/

Hi Josie, It is true that some major error's are expensive, but all are not. Some of the major error's on the Mike Byres website are VERY expensive but this is because they are VERY rare or unique, but you can still find error's at cheap/reasonable prices. Anyway there are many errors that do reach circulation and there are chances of finding them. Don't give up searching. I still check my change and I also check my banknotes for their serial numbers. If you get fancy serial numbers ie. 1234567 , 7654321 , 0000001 , 98766789 or 7777777 etc these notes are worth more to collectors.

Great find. I have never seen that variety before.

"it has the texture of a mouldy Ginger Nut. So if it doesn't sell, he could always eat it."

You are probably right scottishmoney. I have heard of coins being struck on wrong/foreign planchet before but in gold? Anyway probably unique and in my eyes desirable.

Great find. About the verdigris, I know cleaning coins is a normaly a no no, but when it's a rare coin as such I wonder if there is an argument to removing the verdigris to pevent damage to the coin? Anyway I have never tried it but some members of another forum in America recomend Biox for the removal of verdigris. Link below: http://dirtyoldcoins.com/store/product.php...at=2&bestseller

Unless I remortgage the house it isn't going to happen! Its for sale at mikebyres.com for a cool $50,000.

"Yes we're all absolutely bonkers here"

Great additions to an already great site Jeff.

Yep, super looking book Chris. I'm sure it will be very popular. It's a good way to get beginers into the hobby aswell.

I didn't think there were any other dedicated British coin forums! Have I been living under a stone? Colin Cooke website has a forum: http://www.colincooke.com/forum.html Although I wouldn't say it was as interactive as this one.

Sorry Rob, unknown to me. It is an interesting piece though. Is it a planchet or is it a die? Kind of hard to tell from the pic.

Thanks Tom I belive you are correct. Someone else identified it on another forum. It is possibly a reverse die trial in lead of a Liechtenstein Thaler issued in 1778 pictured below. http://www.omnicoin.com/coin_view_enlarge.aspx?id=919130 P.s. I don’t believe it is an impression because the details and legend are raised. Whereas the reverse shows no sign of any detail, which is what you would expect if it was punched from the reverse.

No problem, thanks for the use of your pictures. It is going to be awhile yet. I have more or less got Victoria, and Edward VII finished, I have started the error coins section I still have all the other kings and queens plus maybe a section on proofs and one on patterns to do. It all depends on how much spare time I have in the evenings to further develop it.

Jeff, Since you’re a member now you could click on My Controls on your screen, then click on Edit Signature. If you type in http://petitioncrown.com/Home_Page.html in this space, you will have a link to your website below every post you make. This way when new people visit this website and you add a comment they can still see the link to your great site. Alternatively add it to My Homepage again in My Controls section.

Hi, I bought this on eBay I think it could be a die trial but I am not sure if it's for a coin or medal. It is maybe austrian, It is uniface the legend reads "otp. &. carn. dux. com. rittb. s. c. m. cons. intaur. velleris eques", the reverse is blank. It is 45 mm and made from possibly tin or may be lead. Can anyone help me please?

I totally agree. With some recent coins reaching record prices, and the introduction of syndicates etc. buying these rarities as investments through companies like Nobel Inv. etc. the eyes of many new collectors/investors are being opened. I also believe foreign buyers are also to blame. The prices of US coins is through the roof and many US collectors are turning to what they call "the darkside" i.e. collecting world coins including British. The economy in China is also booming their are many more millionaires and they are investing into or just simply collecting coins. When you push the prices of the high end coins up the lower grades will follow to some extent.

To be honest I have had a couple of bargains on eBay due to poorly described coins. One being this O Geometric (Spink 46) Celtic quarter stater for £42 due to bad picture (out of focus) and poor description. So I haven't got many complaints, but I know people that have bought coins purely of the description because of the poor picture only to have been disappointed when it arrives. I guess the answer is to bid low on such listings or make sure the seller has a return/refund policy. The other thing that I have noticed is the amount of fake coins on eBay. Most will have keep the highest bidders name private (so you can't contact them to warn them) and most will be listed from the Far East (although many sellers from China etc. have been registering their accounts in America now to hide this fact). Ebay seems to turn a blind eye to allot of these seller's (they do make money on all items sold, and allot of these fakes seem to sell for allot unfortunately).

I have managed to take snapshots of my website (in progress) it will give you an idea of wht it will looklike. Another. Again. Last one.

Still a great accomplishment thus far Dave and your almost at the completion mark. I too struggle to concentrate on one area of collecting. I am trying to finish my 1/3 Farthing collection and Edward VII Shilling collection in Unc. (Although 1905 will be a tough one). I do however get miss tracked and buy other coins if I like the look and price of them.