That first one looks as if it may have been guilded at some point and probably of sentimental value to someone sometime in its history. Sadly it is not of monetary value though.
Mongo I've PMed you. Ski thanks for that - nice lettering - I've seen mother, father, sweetheart,auntie, son, daughter, grandmother - I've even found a ? and a !
I suppose coins are no different from any antique object really. We'd all prefer the genuine article in pristine condition. There will always be a place and a market for restored pieces rather than modern replicas. Just wish all people were honest about it!
Thanks for your nice comments chaps. Peck I didn’t bid as I bought this one from a dealer Charles Snowden. It actually came in a broach but is easily removed. Stuart, it’s not my clever photography as the photos are theirs and I can’t really detect that “blueness†on the actual coin in hand. Dave I’m off now to Google dreadnought – thanks!
As lots of people buy coins like these because they think it’s a form of investment which one day will be more than they paid for, shouldn't there be the same some sort of standard warning/disclaimer as you get on an endowment policy ie You may not get back what you paid in sort of thing?
Ahhh what a softie you are Richard! Interesting idea (I am afraid it would be out of my price range) especially if it increased in value over the decades. Are there any porfoilios/bonds where money is invested in very rare coins - apart from that American pyramid type scheme we were introduced to a while back - oh and Rob's bank account !