Nicholas

Thanks. But surely the Mint is watching for substantially wearing dies like this obverse AND incorrect Twining? How did both things occur together or are they related in some way?

This is a close up of my 20P Mule. Surprisingly, It's graded CGS 82 and virtually as struck. The reverse looks perfect, but the Obverse shows die cracks. I've noticed the same thing on some other 20P mules. I'm still trying to piece together the set of events at the Mint that led to this astonishing Mule. Clearly this Die was ready for replacement when the phenomenon occurred. Does anyone know the details of how it occurred?

Authentication, long term storage but most importantly if you're selling in the US you must first slab it else the number of buyers is dramatically reduced.

Since you live in the the US and it's seems to be something you keep for investment only then why not slab it. I would recommend NGC that has a bigger population of UK coins. They will authenticate the coin as well. Certainly I'd need to see it in person, but there's a couple of small things about it that look a touch suspicious - (but my likely assessment is that it's OK)

When the 20p mule was first discovered, there was a small window of frenzied hype and high rarity speculation as there was no real data to estimate the numbers out there. Once they started popping up all over the place and then more so when the Royal Mint itself recognised the mule and estimated the mintage based on mintage time then things calmed down. It's now listed in Spink and £100. Still, I'm fascinated looking at one. Amazing phenomenon in these days.

Market forces wax and wane. When prices are high good quality stock is flushed out into the market. When prices are soft good quality stock is hoarded. I'm sure you'll find your BU pieces. Dredge the internet (not just eBay but focus on the big dealers) and be patient..

Yes, creepy mask. "With warts and all !!" I also recall seeing his hat and gloves once on your site?

A delightful and interesting coin. Thank you for sharing. And if you are who I think you are, I very much enjoy your coins. I'm hard to please and each coin on the petition crown site pleases!

Perhaps they'll pay you to be their numismatic consultant.. (Cool job)

There are a few coins in the BM web site already. The entire collection would be brilliant. http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/search.aspx?people=86878&peoA=86878-1-8

I'm interested in coins minted in Australia for England are there any (the early 1900 halfcrowns?? ) . Also Australian gold bullion used for English coins like the Ansell sovereign. Or conversely the 1827 penny minted in England for a growing colony... Any intel//stories?

Try Australia's own Sullivans Cove single malt.. not bad at all

Personally, I'll take the coenwulf mancus or double leopard every time..and a steal too!!

and yet in the US there are dozens of US coins selling for more than a Million USD each year.

My great uncle once purchased 6 10 gallon tins full of Australian pennies. He was somewhat entrepreneurial and wanted to put pennies into plastic holders as key rings when decimal currency commenced in 1966. He decided against it and gave me the tins, I spent weeks, no, months sorting thru every coin as a young boy. At nights I would see pennies when I closed my eyes. And you know only a handful of rarities. Rarities are so rare!! Certainly no 1925 or 1930 pennies, and only one 1946 in VF cond. the best was a 1948 FDC. 20$!

Love it. I noticed in the plates one of triple unites of Brooker was purchased for £95. So that's how he was able to afford that collection...

I'm interested in the 20p dateless articles. Any links? BTW You think the mint would have analysed the mistake down to the minute and therefore be able to estimate very precisely the total number of mules produced...Really how the hell did this happen in this day and age?!!

Of course for me provenance takes second stand to the actual history of the coin itself. Best thing is that provenance better certifies a coins authenticity, especially for coins that are known to have copies. However provenance is only for rare coins.

Oh yeah the holes don't match. I can definitely see some residual silver cleaner in rim devices! And an uncertain lacquery shine ...I recall two Carlisle siege shillings sold in a recent spink auction with similar characteristics...

Yes Tom, I hope the restorers didn't accidentally put that hole in the coin...

Agreed!!

cave quid dicis, quando, et cui

I was surprised to see some of the things the British Museum are doing to their coin collection. Here is 2 treatments undertaken on an Ormonde issue civil war Irish crown. Treatment date 3 May 2000 Treatment proposal Light clean and lacquer where necessary. Condition Light, surface coating of dust and tarnish. Surface changes with a dull, matt appearence due to conversion of silver chloride to silver. Treatment details Cleaned using Acetone (propan-1-one/dimethyl ketone) applied on a soft brush. Lacquered with a 5% solution of Paraloid B72 (ethyl methacrylate copolymer) in 50;50 Industrial methylated spirits (ethanol,methanol) and Acetone (propan-1-one/dimethyl ketone) applied with a brush. This was done to help prevent further conversion of silver chloride to silver. Treatment date 9 September 1996 Treatment proposal Clean coin Condition Dirt and grime covering a heavy silver sulphide corrosion layer. Treatment details Swabbed with IMS and Acetone. Lightly polished with Goddard's long term silver cloth (comp. unknown).

Hi patrivk6. Have you ever met someone who makes penny forgeries?

Perhaps rread the market trends section in the most recent few editions of Spinks Coins of England to get some idea of what types of coins appreciate more than others. But good luck, even the very best cannot promise profits in this world...