Hussulo

I've not heard of a 700 point scale being used but lately PCGS and NGC have been adding a + (plus) to their grades. So if you had an MS63 coin that was at the top end of its grade but not quite a MS64 it will get an MS63+ grade. NGC have also added the * (star) to some of their coins. The * is supposed to indicate an eye appealing (usually nicely toned coin). You have to remember back when the TGP's (third party grading) companies started , one of their aims was to offer a third party opinion one could trust and thus bid or buy a coin without actually seeing it in hand. This was before the advent of the internet and large colour pictures in auction and dealer catalogues.

Exactly. Everyone know's that's Derek. Thats what I was going to suggest. Derek is the man he even wrote the book!

Me king of the UK grading system? I don't think you meant me? Grading is an art not a science. Until someone comes up with a computer that can scan a coins surface and determine the minutest wear and even take in account for a weak or grease filled strike, there are always going to get a difference on opinion, especially when it comes to grading by numbers. You could show a coin to ten dealers and collectors and I'm pretty certain if they had to write down their grade on a bit of paper they wouldn't all match. Some of the more experinced dealers and collectors may agree on a grade more often then they disagreed however when it comes to grading by numbers things get trickier. Talking of PCGS and NGC. Some say PCGS is stricter then NGC on US coins and NGC is stricter (of late) on non US coins. PCGS is certainly a market leader when it comes to US coins and US coins in PCGS plastic seem to carry a premium. NGC on the other hand seem to be the market leaders in the slabbing of non US coins. I have seen more non US coins slabbed by NGC then any other grading company. Lately I think NGC has been grading non US (World coins) much stricter but they still aren't as strict as or UK grading. Both NGC and PCGS are even more lenient when it comes to grading early British milled coins. I don't know if it is something to do with being softer on older coins but I have seen George I halfpennies graded aUnc when by British grading standards it would have been good VF. They have been known to miss-attributed varieties in the past as well. The trouble is nothing a human being does can be 100% correct 100% of the time. I guess grading companies try and minimise errors when grading and attributing by having more then one grader look at each coin. From the few examples I have seen, CGS on the other hand seem to grade quite strictly, even by British standards. I sent this 1887 halfcrown to them to see what they would give it. I personally would have called it Unc but it cam back aUnc75 (pictures don't do it justice): http://www.prestigenumismatics.com/1887-victoria-halfcrown-cgs-au75-53-p.asp

What a great find! I would love to see pictures of it.

Hi John, So glad you got it fixed and have been vindicated. I have to admit the most trouble I have had on ebay is when selling low value coins. As you say you don't want to pass a big postage charge onto the buyer as it will put them off bidding and effect your stars. Also if you don't pay for signed for etc. and the buyer claims not to have received the item then you don't have a leg to stand on. Its quite easy for someone to claim to not have received a coin when they have. The trouble with Airsure is they track the item to the persons door but the person doesn't have to sign for the item? So a posty could give it to the neighbour, leave it on the doorstep etc.. The trouble with International signed for is it is tracked within the UK and not after that. The plus side is the receiver has to sign for the package. I wish the Royal Mail could offer a service that tracks an item to the recipiants door AND have them sign for it. Kind of like an International Airsure signed for?

Here's a link to one sold at Christie's which sold for £633 in 2001!: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=2099727

It sounds like a plan. Once I get all the standard issues listed on CoinsGB.com I want to add the major rare varieties. After that I plan on adding more minor varieties as well. So far I have a couple of rare varieties with description and pictures. Like F192A Penny and F195 Modified Effigy Penny Link: http://www.coinsgb.com/George_V/6-Penny.html If anyone has pictures of rare coins varieties that should be added and would allow me to use them, I am happy to mention your names and website (if coin related) eg. Courtesy of ... or leave it as anonymous. Please email pictures and descriptions of variety to: sulo@coinsgb.com I will upload them as and when I get time. Thanks Hus

"You can never have too much information! " I agree Rob. I've read most of my books page to page a few times and enjoy buying new ones to read. Though I am far behind your collection and reference material.

John, can i take a wild stab in the dark here, i have'nt looked up your ebay to see who this wan**r is so let me be a little subtle, has he a feedback score of 366 and has cork in the name? No, I think its the person with only 12 feedback and "bour" in his name. Sorry to hear about this happening to you John. Ebay is a great place to buy and sell but they do seem to always side with the buyer and this can be understandably very frustrating for sellers.

A Bit cheap for that Huss No? I bought it from Lockdales a few years back. It was on ebay with a starting price of £250(with a bad picture), it had no bidders, so I sent them a message to see if they would accept £200. Which they did. I sold it a couple of years later (about 2 years ago) for £350 but it'll be worth a bit more now. In fact I would pay more to own it again. It had lovely blue and purple toning as well.

Very nice. Not quite 100% (most desirable) but perhaps 90% of the brockage image is their. I wish I still had my brockage errors. This was my favourite, sold for £350

Some you can just about notice casting bubble's on and some are pretty scary. Mind you the pictures don't help but they are typical ebay ones. As soon as they start casting them in silver and the weight is close to a genuine one then things will be getting very hard for many collectors.

I really like that Chris!

Welcome Rose!

It does look like a nice off metal/ wrong planchet error. "I'd have thrown a lot more than a 10p blank into the hopper, I can tell you...." Like this: http://www.byersnc.com/11219829.html

Thats great news and at least we have found out what it was used for.

Personally I wouldn't wipe any of my coins. A rinse in acetone or distilled water is okay. I've heard of some people that have used the tip of a cocktail stick or rose thorn to remove any crud in between legends etc. but you don't want to leave a mark on the coin. Recently bought some new coins to sell on my site. Unfortunately someone has wiped the obverse of this coins. It would have been a lovely coin, but the wipe has brought the value down: http://www.prestigenumismatics.com/1916-george-v-half-crown-44-p.asp

I've never seen one before. I've been trying to look it up but can't find it. Sorry I can't help.

Acetone dip works well on silver, especially silver coins with PVC residue. If coins have been stored in PVC flips, over time they develop a slime as the PVC reacts with the silver. If you leave it too long the coins surface will be ruined but a dip in 100% acetone will remove the slime and shouldn't damage the coin. Apart from acetone I wouldn't use anything. Also be careful when handling acetone. Do so in a well ventilated area, try not to spill any on your skin or inhale any fumes. Its also very flammable.

Congrats on a great find azda. What is the colour like in hand? Even if it has been cleaned and chemically toned, it will still be desirable because its a rarity.

Cleaning of coins - Don't do it. He probably thinks its working a treat but when he comes to sell his collection I think he might be in for a nasty shock.

I've added my like Chris. I created a facebook profile for CoinsGB.com awhile ago. If anyone wants to add me as a friend: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100000981487280

Once they spend some hard jail time, playing their playstations, playing pool, football, watching tv, being fed and clothed etc.. They are sure to change their ways.

I think I can faintly see some light at the end of the tunnel, and some words are starting to appear... ...Loraine117 banned...

A guide to buying coins on ebay