Gollum

they look like they have been chucked in a hot oven or hit with a blow torch to me.

If you do not understnad the pre decimal coin, then this may interest you. http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/units/money.htm I like the reference to the Scots money before the act of union. Any input Declan ?.

Mmmm .. thank you. Unfortunately I don't see anything about British coins on the site linked, which makes me wonder if this isn't just spam. While there are some that might be interested in slabbed US coins and bullion here, most aren't. But in case you actually are a real person and representative of this company jaden, I'll say 'welcome' and feel free to join in the coin chat. Oh, and the website linked? It needs a quick search function that you can just type in a term, or name of a coin you're interested in, in my opinion. Tom I looked for any British coins or info regarding them on the site, same thing, Nadda.

I have a brother in the states ( I feel sorry for him ! ) and have considered collecting American coins, mainly because he can get all those silver coins for nothing or less than I would pay, but do we have to pay taxes on them ?, what would be the outcome if a packet was opened by customs here, would we be in the mire or clobbered for tax ?.

That would let ANY Tom, Dick and Harry use it without permission. Its ok a forum member asking and sending privately, but you could have a problem with unscruplious ebay sellers picking up rare coin pictures and using them to sell something the don't own, so personally i don't think thats such a good idea. That happens already doesn't it. and I did say with "what conditions they impose on such". I personaly don't care who uses any pictures I post when I do, so they can use them freely as long as it is not for commercial useage regarding the sale of any other coin or implying it is their coin. If they wish to use it in a reference book or the likes they are writing feel free.

Link does not work !. Ah, sorry here is the item number for one instead: 170724759421 I don't know what the others will say because I am new to this but I wouldn't put my coins in those or anything like them, I don't trust such things made of plastic after hearing horror stories about them, I use paper wallets.

Well done Congratulations to your wife and pass our best wishes to her on recovering soon. Now can I interest you in a set of sticky finger protectors for your coins and such .

Of course !, how can we not party when we are celebrating Johns New arrival.

Link does not work !.

That is not the proof set case it's just the look a like often found with the currency coin set plus the crown added. To be the true Royal Mint case it would have the crest inside the lid and text on the cover. These are sometimes described as proof sets to catch the unwary. Thanks for the warning Gary. Unwary idiot educated

Looks genuine enough to me, Garry. Nothing special though - large accumulations of average material are the lifeblood of ebay. Thank you Declan, I just love those wee little silver coins though. I did just put a bid on a 1888 shilling in his lot though just so I did not feel so let down.

You wouldn't want these shiny, they are matt proofs after all. I know, but to me their nice and shiny relative to those in my pocket, and they sing to me.

I wish these were in my pocket too. SO shiny ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1902-EDWARD-VII-MATT-PROOF-SPECIMEN-SET-RARE-MINT-STATE-/160704659885?pt=Coins_BritishProofs_RL&hash=item256abe81ad

The box is that originally used for the 1953 proof set. If the coins are currency pieces that have been substituted, then treat them as currency. If proofs, but mis-described you would be on a winner at that price. Therein lies the beauty and one of many pitfalls with ebay. The seller may not know what they have or may be fully aware and has described it accurately, though the mint specimen sets were the plastic wallet pieces. The latter are frequently toned and unattractive as a result of spending the last 50+ years in a plastic wallet which has leached plasticiser over the coin surfaces. Ask him for better images of one or some of the coins. This should tell you whether the coins are proofs or not. Thank you Rob. I do know of one ebay seller who has got me interested but i don't know if he is being honest about not kowing his coins or worth, he has a lot though that call to me... http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Coins-/11116/i.html?_catref=1&_ssn=saltabay&_trksid=p3911.c0.m1538 Its all those sixpences and threepences !. If he is honest then he needs to ask you lot about them.

Hmm, I guess, if I have too, that if what Rob is saying I think he is, that I am like him, a Magpie, anything and everything at present, it's interesting and fun, and I never know what I am going to get ( hang on a minute petes about with the Brasso again...... No peter I dont mean that kind of shiny arghhhh), right where was I, Oh yes, I prefer sixpences and both types of threepences, probably because of their sizes and that they are easy to hide from my kids, as well as memories when a child, I also like half pennies and shillings for the same reason. Crowns are a much newer thing, i don't know why. My ony worry is that as I get a more worthy collection and expensive wht my children will do with it when I kick the bucket, will my collection be thrown on ebay for peanuts, thrown in the bin, or what. To think that a labour of love would end up that way is kind of hurtfull. As is those gnorant and greedy relatives you never see finding out and wanting their cut !. For now though i will just keep collecting whatever I can get my hands on, its all fun and the variety is like a harem and a kazbar.

Ok so I see proof sets and specimen sets on ebay, I like the look of some and think I would like to buy some, BUT, when I look at spink or such books their prices are a bit unreal, well to me they are anyway, would anyone be able to give a general price for those UK pre decimal sets that are more realistic ?. I like this one, it has nice shiny coins in it but what price would you give. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1953-Elizabeth-II-Coronation-Specimen-Set-Presentation-Case-/270883106258?pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item3f11e42dd2 I take it that a specimen set is no more than those coins being released for normal circulation placed in a display box ?. Whereas Proof sets are double struck etc.

Maybe it would be easier if our forum leader had a copyright post/thread where all those who did not mind their pics being used could post a note to say this was ok and what conditions they impose on such ?. Would be easier than everyone having to make single requests and posts. But, I am only a peon.

Unfortunately, when I were a lad, decimalisation was imminent and EVERYONE was doing exactly that! I was going through 5/- bags of stuff from all the local banks, and anything of a decent age in good condition, got snaffled straight into my collection (1938 halfpenny UNC good lustre, 1935 halfpenny EF lustre, 1909 halfpenny GVF, for example). But I also kept lots of virtually BU coins dated between 1965 and 1967 - still worthless even now. We all knew the low mintage of 1965 Scottish shillings, and in 1967-1970 there were plenty to be picked up in change, virtually BU. They haven't exactly proved to be the 'dead cert' investment we all thought. See, there he goes again, always telling me what he has but never offering to sell them, even if they are worthless as he puts it. Might as well just throw them at me then hadn't you . I HAVE offered to sell you some coins. I've also told you that with my mobility problems, it's not going to be quick. Try breathing in a few times, counting to ten slowly, and be patient. Actually I was messing about and not being serious Peck, sort of like everyone has them and your all teasing me . I understand your mobility problem rather better than you may imagine, and so I also understand how hard it is to get about, I am housebound for various reasons or I would of been at plenty of bric a brac shops and car boots by now. It is also why I am online and post at very weird times, more than most. I have patience, and so it is not a problem, but I also have to be honest and say, I forgot it was you who I spoke to. Sorry about that, it's not like me to do that either. That's ok (makes NY resolution to sort out some crap coins for Gollum) Thank you for understanding. (Makes note to arrange for peter to go to peck's house with the Brasso for "best coin" cleaning )

Would anyone know if this inert gas would harm a coin ?. I am toying with the idea of putting my coins inside sealed cases filled with Argon gas in an attempt to keep the shine etc on my coins in the long term. I have plenty of Argon gas being a mechanic and I used to weld a lot so have a supply.

Ok thats it,everyone with homes, time to find them, party over. Bye and thank you.

Everyone pretend we are not here, Peter is about with Brasso. Five mins and we can get rocking again and put back my single malt you thieving swines, drink your own Tescos blended.

Now you know why we never invited you to the forum party, Brasso users are banned .

Be quiet in here we're partying below.

What!, you didn't get an invite, so sad.... I saw your g/f when I was sober.

I dont understand the fever over such things, you will forever be chasing every coin around or error even if it is not an error !, I can understand it if it was a major difference like a lion missing or words completely gone or even the wrong obverse to the reverse, those are major differences, I guess I will just have to see what happens in the future and if it gets to me.