Paulus

Just sent an indignant 'question', shouldn't waste my energy really!

Surrey**Coins*** are appalling, no need for confussion!!

As far as cycling and rowing are concerned, it's actually a very clever policy by the Brits first rolled out in Beijing. You target the 'soft' (i.e. not that many people participating worldwide) sports with lots of medals on offer and allocate disproportionate resources to them - result, shedloads of medals. Doesn't explain our three athletics golds though! Although I do have some sympathy with Oscar Wilde on patriotism, it's still nice to see us doing well. That's an interesting point - some sports have lots of medals where others (horse-riding teams for example) have to take part in three separate disciplines over several days, to win one medal. There again, if it wasn't for the athletics tradition, you could argue that running 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10000m, and a marathon, are the ultimate in lots of medals! Which is why I'm so admiring of events where they have lots of sports in one medal - e.g. decathlon and heptathlon. As for the triathlon, my jaw dropped when I saw what those women achieved : swimming 1.5km freestyle in wetsuits, getting straight out of the water, discarding wetsuits as they went (down boy ), getting onto their bikes and taking part in a 43km race, then parking their bikes and going straight off on a 10km run. Should have been a platinum medal for winning that, with a special medal for everyone just for taking part! There is also the 'ironman' triathlon (not an Olympic event yet): 3.8 km swim, followed by a 180 km bike ride, followed by a full marathon!!!!

Very nice Patrick, thanks for posting them. This is a wonderful stage in coin collecting, you can pick up some nice grade coins of many many different types, monarchs and denominations, and each one with its own piece of history and plenty to learn from

I think most hammered coins are graded like this! All my favourites are! Bit off topic from the thread, but I am having so much trouble trying to make my mind up to pick myself a nice hammered coin for my collection. There are several on Clives website that I like the look of, I just can not decide to go with my head or heart! There are two for example, one is described "as struck", amazing clear portrait and legend, this is my head saying "buy that one!". The other has less clear detail, is more worn, is a very "round" coin with central strike, dark tone, but it just appeals to me so much... almost has a little personality! (if a coin can have such a thing), this one my heart tells me to buy. The age old question, follow your head or your heart?! As long as the price is right, go with your heart - personal opinion! You want a coin you will love and admire when you look at it, for all the right eye appeal and maybe quirky reasons! Put it this way, if it was me and I went for the other one, I would be forever remembering the one that got away ... Or get them both!

And thanks to Will Shakespeare!

With you on this one! Majesty embodied, such a romantic part of our heritage! Agreed, with Charles II 2nd, despite all his partying the Royal Society years were some of the most significant in our history

Wasn't that Eddie 2 (as rumour has it?) Love Horrible Histories btw!!

That is a beautiful portrait, I have my eye on one of those. I just hope it is not sold when I get the money together! My favourite too! Was this one 110 quid Paul, bought just last week or the week before from ebay graded as aUNC? No, I have had this one for quite some time and got it from a dealer

That is a beautiful portrait, I have my eye on one of those. I just hope it is not sold when I get the money together! My favourite too!

And me!!

Dagnabbit, I had better get my offers in quick, love a bargain me ...

Thanks, that is very helpful Peck. I have been dismissing coins that I otherwise really like recently, because I thought anything green was verd! It is only since I read an article yesterday, about halting the damage, that I realised green spots are not always verd. I think the best thing for me to do, until I learn to tell the difference myself, is to check with you guys before parting with my money. I am glad I did with this coin now! I just hope you do not get bored with all my newb questions, as I am sure there will be many more! We wouldn't necessarily know from a picture whether it's V or staining. The best thing, if in doubt, is contact the seller and mention there's a green patch, and what is it? That sounds like a plan too. I am starting to lean towards just buying my coins from the guys on the forum, and other places recommended by yourselves. At least that way I know what I see is what I get, and defects are always honestly mentioned. Then when I have the confidence, I can shop around a bit more. In my 8 months rollercoaster of more serious collecting I have come to the same conclusion Mongo, you are unlikely to get a bargain, true, but very unlikely to get ripped off, and most will be happy to offer a no quibble return policy ... bargains still to be had on the bay if you put in the time and don't risk too much wonga! You already know more than a lot of eBayers about grades and values, and that will just get better and better, so a good place to be!

GF - NVF in my inexpert opinion, and I think it's a spot of verd yes

Michael Coins is Michael Gouby in West London, I have been really pleased with his prices and grading, highly recommended. Sometimes a little frustrated with the absence of pics on the low-mid priced coins he has listed, but very friendly and helpful.

Yey welcome back Ski ... and chill if you can, I cant always!

Do record where you got the coins from too, invaluable in the end

Count me in!

For anyone else interested, this book is available here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330436945692?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2648#ht_500wt_1413

All books are worth acquiring because you frequently find a snippet of information that isn't written elsewhere. The bulk of most books on a subject will be common to nearly all, but the minutiae in each text often reveals a clearer picture when considered in aggregate. Thanks Rob, I will get it

Keen for knowledge on exactly my era, worth owning? THE MILLED COINAGE OF ENGLAND FROM 1660 - 1946 SPINK 1950

I suggest it's not a detector find, but a copy. A sixpence should weigh 3g. Please PM me the seller. Thanks. Oh no, this happened to me on eBay and I hated it, I hope the coin is okay. Please do whatever Rob advises!

A tad??? Only seen such overpriced crap on eBay until now!!!

that's a good idea. oh crikey What's the maximum no. of columns in your version of Excel Declan?