Coinery

That is depressing. As a note to others it's a fake Edward I groat. There's some skill in that coin, a shame (in some respects) to have got it so wrong!

Which is why we are back to the question of what to include or not. Essentially there will never be a volume to suit all, though there might be collectors who adjust to a specific volume. More likely is that everyone will have two or three preferred references. As you were chaps.I think so! Though I still think a few popularly collected varieties should still be included! Particularly when there is little consistency in the cataloging otherwise!

It's just suddenly occurred to me, reading Pies post, that varieties represent nothing other than the depth to which an individual wishes to collect! My usual comparison is E1 (sorry), where it's possible to collect the 'spink' 6ds, the individual date 6ds, all dates with numerous mm's, the BCW varieties, where dates are broken down into obvious types by pretty major things like rose style, lis, lions, shield, legends, and leaf styles (all noticeably different by eye), and then there is even individual dies if you like? Without opening the book... 1561 Spink's 4 or so varieties! BCW distinct varieties, around 100? Distinctive dies of 1561 1000 (approx) As a collector, I could easily do one of the following: Collect the spink list of 6ds, or go for the BCW list of 6d's, which would preclude collecting anything else (ever), OR collect every known die for 1561, which would be the end of collecting anything every again! The main point is: all would have the same pleasure, just a different focus!

Nice bit of design work, Clive! Especially like the silk effect! What software?Merry Christmas to you and your's! Hope the PM got through!

I've sunk a couple of ciders already, so can't resist joining in again! Have a great evening and 'morrow all! Enjoy, enjoy!

It would've been tongue-in-cheek, Angela!

I don't have a psychological limit, just a financial one! If I had 10k I wouldn't flinch to spend it on some Elizabethan gold...sorry, an Elizabethan gold piece!

Without diving into the books, are all 4 of these different? They look it!

It happens to me and, I noted in an earlier post, Rob...I use Chrome and/or FireFox!

To be honest they don't look like ancient tones but, having said that, coin that we store today in our sealed flips and centrally-heated homes are also not going to develop 'ancient' tones either! We hark back to that old debate about toning! If these coins are coins recently subjected to toning conditions, having been either previously well stored, or de-toned (by whatever means), then that's no different to someone releasing a BU coin from a 'suspended' state 200 years from now...I guess?

It's interesting that you should say this, numismatist, I've noticed similar great coins in the past, and have subsequently been put off when noticing the entire portfolio to be similar in appearance! It could of course simply be nothing other than an entire collection, which has been housed and stored in similar conditions over a long period!

Personally, I think people should avoid this as it is the 10 leaf version and not the 11. Therefore not extremely rare and not worth............ how much? He's avin a larf10? Oh, s**t, better cancel the snipe!

Nice little silk cushion for display purposes, though...bet he doesn't include that with the purchase! His most recent feedback isn't too inspiring either: "reported them to ebay as possible scam. Never got item and they didn't refund" Gotta love 'em!

I obviously have my own areas of loyal interest, but just thought of an idea for myself and, of course, others who struggle with the big question 'where to start' with collecting! One of the issues I've noted with newcomer questions, time and time again, is that of what to collect? 'Do I collect bronze, copper, silver, pennies, crowns, etc.?' Well, I've an idea, founded upon the other great collection struggle, that of having a decent collection quickly, which I'm sure is part of the reason we all end up with a useless pile of bullion once we settle into quality collecting! OK, so here's my strategy, and recommendation for those who are unsure where to start! Collect denomination year sets, and learn all about Bronze, Copper, Silver, CuNi, Gold even, and discover varieties, errors, so on, etc, etc,! As an example, I thought I'd snaffle an easy 1901 set off eBay, which started with a very cheap UNC penny, followed by a bargain 6D! The HC, HP, Farthing, and shilling, happened over a couple of months, with maybe a little bit of reselling to get these right! However, I now concede that I have watched quite some time for a 'right-priced' florin and the gold, and happily accept I will have to visit auctions or dealers to acquire these in top grades which, incidentally, is also part of the fun! Now, I presently don't have the resources to pursue the rest of my 1901 set, but I do have a small amount with which to watch eBay and snaffle the occasional pretty thing 321275869721 and start the whole process over again! So over the next few months I'll be keeping an eye on 1886, looking for a steal, and will inevitably stumble upon the denominations of that year that I'll have to seek out again at the dealers, fairs, or auctions! It keeps the fires burning, and keeps the grey matter and reading going forth! It excites me to snaffle some cheap things and begin another set of something, whilst I can't afford the harder pieces! Key point is, it's a manageable way of finding out what you like, and encourages visits to all the main collection resources! For me personally I quite like it all...so a copper, big silver, little silver, and piece of gold offends me not in the least! Happy daze!

Ah, goan, then, I'm feeling festive today...so, a big SEASON'S GREETING to you all, I've really enjoyed carrying this forum around with me, it's provided great wisdom and considerable pleasure!Hope you all have a great week...cheers!

1901 for bronze; 1893 for most denominations including crowns, or 1901 for smaller silver. I'm on it! Cheers, Peck!

I was waiting! Edit: I do like farthings, of course, just received these, which I bought for the '33 111238774881

That still doesn't answer the grade issue, why they weren't worn out at the time?

Cheers, Azda! I've got a real thing for the OH coins at the moment! I'd like to 'gather' the entire denomination set! The Crowns' will be financially interesting! However, I can still keep a slow interest with the cheaper denominations. Poor old farthings and Maundy here we come!

Thanks VS, appreciate your opinion on it!

Yes, as I believe this forum is big enough to fair pretty well in a 1917 Sovereign search! Imagine being the purchaser, or future purchaser, of that coin and stumbling upon this thread?Research is king, and this forum has significantly added to the 1917 Sovereign pot!

I do think the quality to be above the usual offerings seen on eBay...a number of which could be described as having collectors tone! Whilst I have a better Liz martlet groat, I thought the price of the one offered was really good value. I've sold lesser E1 groats on .99p starts that have made more! So what about that HC, only Rob has commented? Edit: and VS of course...grade anyone? AU?

Just a trace of rub on the bottom half of the reverse to my eyes.Thanks, Rob!

Cheers, Paulus...there's a fair bit in there you'd like I reckon!

Can I ask opinions! I really like this coin 151075231699 The seller says it's darker still than the images! Do you think AU with old highspots overtoned, or genuine UNC? I'm looking particularly at the reverse St George, harp breasts, ribbons, etc. and thinking AU??? What say you? Worth looking at 'other items' too!