Sword

I didn't like the idea at first. But all major auction houses guarantee the genuineness of their lots and most have probably made mistakes in the past. Perhaps we shouldn't expect any different from the RM auctions. But in my view, they have already sink low enough trying to sell past coins for totally ridiculous prices. This made me laugh: https://www.royalmint.com/shop/monarch/queen-elizabeth-ii/1953-Elizabeth-II-Commemorative-Crown/ They are selling jewellery now https://886.royalmint.com/ Just have a look at those prices. Since their coins are now just commemoratives, do they not resemble a souvenir store? Would they consider using the motto "Souvenirs for the nation. Souvenirs for any occasion."

Mostly their own offerings produced in the last couple of decades. https://www.royalmint.com/collect/auction/auction-archive/

I think London Coins / CGS are more inclined to count die filled as "varieties".

I gave up testing for perhaps a year now. Like many people, I used to test twice weekly for a long time but have never tested positive. This helped to convince me that perhaps I am one of those people immune to covid. (The four jabs are enough reassurance even if I am not.)

I haven't given a second thought for Covid for quite a while now. However, my understanding is that we might never reach herd immunity for the disease. The vaccinations greatly reduce the symptoms of the covid but are not able to prevent many people from catching it due to variants. It will probably linger in the background as a mild inconvenience for a long time. I am more worried about catching flu. Did he actually test positive for Covid?

Every hammered coin is in fact unique... Hence, the strike, wear and eye appeal are even more significant than type rarity for the hammered series IMHO.

For me, rarity could refer to the total number of pieces available, condition rarity, or "rare" eye appeal such as excellent toning. I personally prefer collecting the later two categories. A relatively common coin in rare UNC grade is more exciting to me than a very low grade coin with only a few examples known. I am not a serious enough collector to have anything particularly valuable but do have a few pieces which think would be hard to upgrade.

I have just printed off the label asking for an exchange. I also managed to get to them on the phone and the chap said they will check before posting a replacement. Can't say I am convinced. Let's see what happens this time.

Rather sadly, I don't have any doubt now that shabbiness is the norm of the Royal mint. No respectable business would tell you that there is a two month wait for an email to be answered.

I have sent them an email and got an automated response. They are currently answering emails received over two months ago and so there is a long queue! Luckily it wasn't a high value item.

Sorry to hear that. Whenever I missed out on something in an auction because I forgot to leave a bid, I always console myself by saying that the winner might have gone a lot higher and, so I might not have got it anyway. And in this case you already have two MS already ...

It reminds me of the saying that "you don't need to be an expert if you can compare like with like".

There are raised lumps and holes which I think are also characteristics of cast pieces.

Sad to see such vandalism. Might be it looks better if the black stuff can be removed.

It could be the train is taking off and flying into the sky... Seriously, it is shocking quality control. It is still for sale at the RM and so they should be able to send you a proper replacement. Otherwise, I would ask for a refund and buy something else.

I normally prefer a black background but I think the lighting of the coin itself looks better in the first photo. (The coin looks more lustrous.)

That looks really nice! Was it just plain silver originally? If so, wonderful toning!

A copy is currently available on eBay for £5.50 https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?item=283888691694&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562&_ssn=bitsandbobs.etc

This Egyptian one pound looks great. https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces26558.html

"Recorded remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic with information and images provided by the finder." https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1015135

I like the 1923 halfcrowns. It's really nice to see the portrait (and also the reverse) fully struck unlike the earlier sterling silver version.

It might have been the fear of criticism or ridicule rather than conscience.

The listing has thankfully been ended due to an "error".

The designs of the coronation coins: https://www.royalmint.com/shop/monarch/charles-iii/coronation/ A crowned portrait of the king is unexpected but rather nice. I like the reverse designs too (except for that of the crown which looks poor). All in all, a good effort from the RM I think.

I think the 100 pound is made of 99.99% gold and the sovereign is the usual 91.7% gold alloyed with copper.