Mynki

He was a thoroughly nice chap. He stated 78 or 80 on a good day... It's not my coin and won't be in the future.

OK, I've been inspired by a couple of other peoples threads showing what they've purchased. I plan on doing the same. I may have this thread and a separate chump change thread too. This one though will show my more considered purchases as I try and build a nice collection over the coming years and decades. I look forward to you all pointing out my mistakes! But with your help, hopefully they'll not be too many. I made two purchases this month. The first was a 1849 gothic crown purchased from London Coins. My first ever 'slabbed coin' and graded at 78. I bought it as I like the design and think that the bust is arguably the most attractive of all the UK queens. I also like the history behind the term 'godless' and then of course there's the brutal truth that I'd have preferred a good gothic crown but these are simply out of budget. The reverse may be a little busy but there's certainly a lot to look at under the loupe, so I'm very happy with this purchase. I plan on adding a good quality later gothic florin at some point in the future. Forgive my poor photography skills, I'm hoping these will improve somewhat throughout the thread. I have a D7200 but really need a suitable macro lens to get the best out of it. My photo editing skills are almost non existent too, so bear with me! I'll work on the editing... Official CGS pics of same coin.

Photojoiner.net test post.....

No varieties according to Marsh.

Today around £178 to £180 with the big bullion dealers. You will achieve more via ebay, but you have the fees on top, which I think are 10% from memory.

I'd agree it's not in good condition at all. You may realise more by selling it through one of Facebook sovereign / bullion groups. You should get more than the jewellers and bullion dealers pay and there's no fees as there is with ebay etc. On the plus side, gold prices have increased well over the last few weeks from five year lows.

OK, first of all I don't own this coin, but I did take the pics. The red marks appear to be miniscule fibres. At the Wakefield coin fair, one of the official CGS grading chaps had a look and offered his unofficial opinion on grade, I have to stress he did say it needed to be scored by three graders and so this was only his opinion. Anyone care to guess the magic number he suggested?

The 1888 inverted 1 double florin. Though I've read recently that the 'inverted 1' is in fact a damaged 'I'. Under the loupe there appears to be some minute red fibres on the coin. Not overly happy with these pictures. They don't show the level of detail the coin has in hand. In particular on the reverse, there is more detail in the lions faces and the St George cross in the middle is more recessed than appears on the image. Anyway, both will be sent to CGS in due course.

OK, so here's the 1845 shilling ex Cheshire collection that I picked up. The pictures were taken on a windowsill using just natural light. In hand the coin looks much darker.

I'll have to introduce myself next time.

I wondered if you'd be there Rob. I did look for an RP Coins sign, but didn't see one. From what I understand the Cheshire Collection was auctioned on June 1st 2005 in the US by Goldberg Coins. Unfortunately I don't appear to be able to view individual lots. Is anyone on here able to see these? I've just registered but am still waiting for an email. Paulus, thanks for the link.

Yes, that's the one. I don't suppose you have any info on said collection do you? Did a deal for the pair (I think my haggling skills are ok?). Tried taking pictures earlier but not enough natural sunlight and with the flash they look washed out.

So, went to the Wakefield coin fair and returned the 1894 florin. Purchased the above double florin and shilling instead. I'll take my own pics when we have more sun here so I can use natural sunlight in the conservatory etc.

Property should be ok as an investment as long as you avoid areas which are obviously in decline. Demand in the UK will outstrip supply for sometime yet so as Rob says there will be no crashes. When the inevitable happens and interest rates do rise I think the increases will be small and you'll not see rates at a more usual 5% ish for some time yet. As for oil, I've seen a few suggestions that it could dip to $10 per barrel. Bad news for Russia as their economic plans are based on achieving $50 per barrel. I think $10 is a bit low, but if it does dip significantly again, then I probably will buy oil stocks as I don't believe it can remain as low as it is for that much longer. As for collectables, I read emails from Keith Heddle at Stanley Gibbons which are quite interesting, though I've never taken the plunge with one of their investment products. I note London Coins do something similar. Has anyone taken the plunge with them?

Indeed. I wonder how many times you've been told that previously! Now if we can all get back to discussing coins on this thread that would be great!

No idea where the contest idea came from? But I know I'm currently losing it if one exists! But I'll post what I like, when I like and where I like all within forum rules of course. If people dislike these threads, simply don't read them. It's that simple... Far, far, far more importantly I'm thinking about returning the 1894. I don't like the idea of dipped coins, though when I look around dealers sites the percentage of dipped Victorian silver must be quite high. One dealer in particular has around 70% of his inventory in blast white condition. Anyway, does anyone have any serious opinions on these?

It's already slabbed by CGS.@ 78 There's a pic in my other thread.

Thanks for all the feedback. I ended up buying a different godless florin in the end.

It will be interesting to see what they say. I may well visit the Wakefield coin show on sunday. Does anyone know if CGS will be there? If so, do they accept submissions at the coin fairs? Non, thanks for the heads up on the software. I'll download that later. One of the PC's does indeed have Windows 10 too so that sounds ideal. Incidentally this isn't my first coin, it's my first slabbed. I have a small sovereign collection and a fair few washers. I've wanted to take collecting a lot more seriously, but if I'm brutally honest after reading this forum some time ago I was put off. There seems to be a lot of dodgy dealers on fleabay and it seems all too easy to get caught out with forgeries, incorrect gradings etc. I have a lot to learn but the standard guide to grading British coin book, buying a few low value coins to compare in hand and continuing to bore you all with daft questions means I'm more positive about moving forward now. Hopefully there won't be too many mistakes made. God I hope that florin isn't cleaned!!!

If it's rejected it will be going back for a refund! He reckons 78. I've been comparing it to an 80 rated coin earlier. The 80 rated coin is just a little bit better in regards to wear. The differences are very slim mind, so I think 78 is realistic. What made you suggest 78?

My second purchase was a later 1894 florin. Again, I like the design and I believe 1894 is one of the more collectable years. I did post a picture from the dealers website yesterday and it was suggested that it may have been dipped. I've spoken to the dealer and he assures me it has not. He knows that this will be sent to CGS and he's indicated what he believes it will score. I'm not particularly bothered about slabbed coins as such but do want the experience of sending one to them and seeing how the process works. I'll then also have an in hand reference point should I look at similar years. So this will be shipped off to them very soon. Dealers Picture

Indeed, I'm thinking / hoping that's due to poor photography (not my pics) rather than being cleaned.

Thanks for all the feedback. Any opinions on this coin?

I've got a 2013 and 2016 copy. I have to say some of the increases in value with some coins over three years look incredible, on paper! In the real world of realised auction prices, much less so. There's some pretty big differences between Spink and Collectors Coins of Great Britain too. Does anyone know why this is? Which do both focus on etc?

Hi, Does anyone have one in UNC condition or better? Please PM me if so with details. Looking for UNC / CGS 78 / MS63 64 or better condition. Thanks in advance.