Coinery

Is anyone better in the know about these things? I've just taken delivery of an item from Hong Kong (a ceramic Buddha), marked as a gift by the sender, and marked with a value of £150. I've had to pay £46.04 Import VAT and £13.50 Clearance Fee, a total of £59.54, nearly 40% of the value of the item! That can't be right, surely? Cost the guy £75 to send it, for goodness sake...going to nearly cost me that to take receipt of it!

This is one of the major problems with any kind of social media, Facebook and the like, that a missed comma from a face we don't know can equal an offence equivalent to killing the neighbour's dog (not sure why a dog, maybe the neighbour, then?)! The point being, you do have to read between the lines, sometimes, even when online-communicating with someone you're relatively familiar with (in a cyber context)! I didn't read any malice in Dave's, or anyone else's comments for that matter, because, for me, it was business as usual in the way I interpreted all the different posts, by all of the different personalities on here. Perhaps some of the latter comments may not of been my own choice of words, and can see how easily they may have offended Fluke (though I think he flared, even before those comments) or others! But, speaking for myself, I would still prefer a diverse forum, provided it stays within reasonable social boundaries, that is true to the general mix of coinies we might meet in the real world. I'd say the general thread here had a good balance of individuals, with everyone offering an olive branch! Even the Scot (albeit his olive branch a thorny thistle), had a go, in his own special way! It'd be great to have you back, Fluke, but there are a lot of people on here...all of them will give you good advice, but maybe not everyone can wink at you, and chink your glass, to reassure you they are on your side! At least not all of the time! So, anyway, Colin has been on and shot us down with our cleaning theories which, just goes to show, you need to stick around, otherwise you'll never get to know who ways right about that! and this is the reality of a coin forum, Fluke! You going to have a glass with us all? We're not that bad! Honest! ?

Hi Andrew is that a copy and paste?

Let's hope they haven't got the 'intelligence' to notice this can work in reverse! Beware any large sales to this person! A general address would be useful, Paul? Are you able to access the return address from PP, just a street and town would do? Oh, and phew for you!

I still clearly remember my entrance onto the forum, right on the tail-end of the 'Bullion Smelting Saga,' which was as hot a period as I can remember on here! And quite innocently I joined to ask the question 'is it legal to smelt silver coins'? Oh, boy, did that bring the house down! My first knock-back came from Nick! I laugh about it now, and feel thankful I hung on in there...I would've missed a great deal otherwise! I feel certain Fluke will take a look in, just like I did...c'mon Fluke, it's a great place to learn!

?? Edit: ???

I had a little siggner at Flickr too I haev to sya!

Hic!

Goodness me, you took that hard, Fluke? In all fairness, from the images put up, it's looks either very heavily bag marked, or cleaned? But images are very deceptive, as you will soon see if you still choose to stick around?

You can't leave now, Fluke, I've just burnt bridges responding to your post! I know, I know, I know! But it always blows over! C'mon, get to know us all first? Azda's a little puppy when you get to know him! I've emailed Colin for you, he could be on holiday, or very busy with work, he'll post here for you, so keep watching! I'm having a glass of wine if you care to join me, Fluke?

I know it's not a popular statement, but I'm still not sure what to think of the early-milled grading on CC, which, to be fair, is the only area I looked at around 5 years ago when I was trying to compile my own grading reference. That's me now cast into the eternal fires of the numismatic furnace! ?

I'm liking the beginnings of your cataloging...so much better than my organisation in the early days! I'm still not THAT organised with it even now!

Yarp! Welcome aboard an' all! It's a pit stop you'll be in a long time! Enjoy the ride!

Colin, from About Farthings is a regular contributor on here, I'm sure his insight will clear everything up! If he offered a valuation, I'd insure it for that! The clock is ticking now! 16:44, how long will it take the ole fella?

I'm always staggered at the wealth of info. on here! Another VS special!

quickly done, but you get the idea! I reckon a lot of the varieties could be identified so much easier by field identification. This is really rushed from low res images, but I think it's got some good potential in a book, a new way of simplifying things! Always happy to do any serious design work for a good cause!

This is another classic example of something I spoke about ages ago! And that is looking at field shapes! If we try to see small differences in helmet and plume shapes, our brain gets confused, but IF we look at the shape of the little field enclosed in that region, it's altogether a different animal! Using the shape of the field is often far more decisive, I don't know why this hasn't been done before?

Nearly 1/2 ton of pennies? That should see a few of them off! Sounds like an intriguing project, do share when it's come to fruition! I can't help, but I'm sure a few kilos could be rustled up on here?

This is just the best forum ever!

Bloody hell, have we lost him for another year?

I prefer these big old pennies to the bronze issues! Nice coin!

I fully take on your point and wasn't suggesting that decimals are the way for dealers (eBay hobbyist dealers - maybe) to go, but was simply trying to make the point that just because decimal werent seen as true coins by some collectors doesn't make them any less valid as a collectible.I've bought a lot of decimals from this very site, Rich! I've even decided on my two 2015 keepers out of a pile of 2ps and 5ps! Always a collector!

Hey Garoyn, welcome to the madhouse, the coin forum for the numismatically insane!

Put me down for a Class 10cf5 penny!

Peter, just read your post! What a shocker of a toned list that is, TG! Satisfying to see by the bidding that they aren't appreciated by anyone else either. Pete, I think it was something to do with 'something' and heat (oven possibly)? I can't remember now, though have read about it in the past. Never stuck in my mind as useful for anything, surprisingly!