Paulus

In a nutshell, as a collector and buyer, all I would like to have latitude to negotiate on is the price. I need to be able to trust that the coin pictured and described is accurately graded (to UK standards), well photographed (or scanned), with any defects or varieties highlighted, and is correctly attributed. If there is a no-quibble return policy then so much the better, but I have only used that on 3 occasions (i.e. it is as described but I have changed my mind) At the moment (after only 7 years of serious collecting) it is still very caveat emptor (which is fine), but it often means due diligence before parting with decent money, which must involve seeing the coin in hand before buying ... nothing new here I know, photos for distance selling / buying are now the norm, back in the day descriptions alone were all that was required One benchmark (and only one of the possibilities) is the grade returned if you slab a coin. Another of course is the price achieved when sold (but that is of course subject to market fluctuations). The difference in value, when selling, between mid-high grade and top grade for many coins gives a lot of latitude to anyone selling to 'big-up' a coin ... there seems to be a massive bubble building at the very top end ... to me Heritage seems like somewhere I would sell one day, but never buy!

Really? I think their coins are often way over-graded. Not as good as they used to be.I wouldn't be so bold, Hugo, but, I have to say, PWA's comment has surprised me.Me too, I think it is very rare to find any seller (be it an eBay seller, casual dealer, established dealer, or auction house) who doesn't oversell the coin a little (or a lot). This can be the grade that in their opinion should be attributed, the absence of some key info in the listing, overly-flattering pics, or even (dare I say it) 'photo-shopped' pics. I have a short list of sellers I trust totally to be honest with their listings and/or accept no-quibble returns ... most of them (of course) are on here

You're more than welcome What's your thinking? if genuine, that coin went for a song if fake, yet another buyer got stung and may never know the jury's out all of the above

link to Stuey's eBay coin http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301337754998?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D301337754998%26_rdc%3D1

I bet that coin has been AW'd (Artificially Worn)

I would bet that Brandon does very well on any coins he sells (if he does), he has a good eye judging by what he posts on here and his photography is unbelievably good (even through slabs!)

Those is well nice bruv

Completely agree with that. Their current pics are much better than they were in the early years, but I have seen their set up (last year), it is just a single 'desk lamp' illuminating the subject, and there only seem to be 2 pics taken (none of the edge or close-ups of overdates etc)

That's a bargain and a half Dave! Even 20 years ago, my UNC-and-very-nearly-BU 1954 and 1959 halfcrowns cost me £4 apiece. I agree with you about "not worth spending the money" on absolutely perfect specimens of them. My general approach has been to try and upgrade to GEF to UNC where I can, but without breaking the bank. As I work backwards, I'm often finding that I'm dropping to EF (and for the 1905 halfcrown I'll probably stick with my own fine specimen) and that's OK with me. The only exception I make is that within a date run, I like to ensure I have at least one coin which is in UNC condition. In that way, if I ever go to type collecting I will have a good basis to start from. I think that's a good point. There are several reasons why I switched to type collecting, one of the main ones being that once I had some high grade examples with eye appeal I completely lost interest in looking at (even owning) the lower grade coins, and there was no way I was ever going to afford a high grade example of every date. Much happier striving for 1 cracking example from each series

Can't be correct, surely?

I have picked up a lot of useful tips from the 'Articles' section on this site: http://www.coinimaging.com/

Here's my example of the same coin. For grading comparison, CGS graded it at 65 (GEF) and I bought it from Rob, who had it around the same:

Don't forget the VAT and postage too!

Very nice indeed, is that your William III example acquired now then? I would grade it as EF if not a tad better

link It's horrible!

Happy birthday Declan - lol

Actually I'm not sure it's his birthday quite yet ... so we got em in early!

Take it easy!

With silver at a 4-year low (just under $18 / £11 toz), I reckon that is only £11 x 7 / 40 = < £2 bullion value!

That's true Rob, guess it's the same for Picassos and Van Goghs etc for the ultra rich! But a billionnaire will tend to get what he/she wants in the end, once it's eventually for sale - most of the time - don't you think? Guess there's a difference - on a budget you win battles finding something on your wish list within budget, with bottomless pockets perhaps you gain satisfaction finding that what you desire is for sale at all? I'll never know!

I wouldn't enjoy this hobby, or buying/collecting anything if I had bottomless pockets, where is the joy in acquiring anything if that is the case? So it just comes down to budget and personal preference, and 'the eye of the beholder' - the main criterion for me is 'do I like it?' Just so happens at the moment most of what I like is increasingly high grade / price! But one of the joys of coin collecting for me is it can suit all pockets, and when my budget is limited I have found just as much pleasure collecting Conder tokens or decimals (as long as they have that crucial eye appeal!). Further high grade hammered and early milled will have to wait a little longer.As many have commented before, it can be just as much fun to branch off into something more affordable for a while - my VF or better silver threepences have been acquired at around bullion value on average (which will be what most of them are worth tbh, but there are a few notable exceptions). Didn't like proofs at first, preferred the thought that they were designed to be circulated. Now, where proofs are available, I want the best type example, which is sometimes a proof. All part of the fun!

I agree, the rim problems let it down too much, a shame because I like the rest of it!

There is normally a Baldwins auction at the London Coin Fair (next one Nov 1)

A nice result for the seller there then

My thoughts entirely!