Geoff T

We need more information in order to answer your query. What is the denomiation of the coin (or what diameter is it if you don't know) and what condition is it in? Ideally, if you join the forum you can post a picture. Geoff

No problem - I can get you both of those asap. Can you send me a private message to remind me of your address? Thanks for the tip about the Canadian stuff too. Geoff

I think I may have some of these already, but I'll keep my eyes open for any more - assuming they can still be found in circulation. Thanks for the info. BTW - how are you for 50p coins these days? I have a spare 2004 Roger Bannister if you're still into collecting them. G

This looks like the typical eBay scam whereby you undersell the item but overcharge on the postage, so that you make a profit after all. Would have served him right if the buyer had decided to save on the postage by collecting in person! G

Da Khorosho, yes good job. Da! Spasibo bolshoi! - although shouldn't it be krasnii vityaz? G

Canada issued a different design of quarter for each month of 1999. I was last there in 2000 and managed to pick up about seven of them, but already they were being snapped up and sold as sets by dealers. I'm off to Canada again this summer so I'll be interested to see what I can find. I know they have a new coloured coin for the Chinese year of the rooster (if you like that sort of thing) but I'm not sure if it's for general circulation. I also found a couple of US state quarters in my change in Canada so maybe that will happen again. Geoff

Krasnaya vityaz = red knight? My Russian is very rusty. Geoff

The "top-bottom" rotation - known as reverse die axis - is also standard for the period, so nothing special there. G

Hey Anthony, I've just looked at your website. Are you really claiming to have a 1952 half crown? There's only one in existence and Colin Cooke has it. I'm pretty sure that what you've got is a Phelps copy. And is the 1853 proof for real as well? What we need are some pictures. Geoff

I think it's axiomatic that Chavs are white. Brinnington, on the outskirts of Stockport, seems to be their capital. It's full of 14 year old girls with push chairs and male counterparts who discuss shoplifting techniques on the bus. Other favourite topics of conversation are, who's your social worker, what did you get for your last drugs offence, which prison our Brandon/Chantelle is currently in and - on one occasion - a graphic account of how A murdered B. How unlike the homelife of our dear Queen. G

Given that the nickel-brass 3d was introduced in 1937 this sounds like the standard coin from 1938 which someone's probably tampered with. Real silver 3ds were also issued alongside them in the UK up to 1941 and minted for colonial use 1942-44. BTW - that's a thrift plant on the back, not thistles. Geoff

Yes. it's perfectly normal. This is what is called a reverse die axis and was the norm until well into the 19th century. Modern coins use a parallel die axis - i.e. the heads and tails are both the same way up. In the past this was standard practice for medals and older coins struck this way, like the post 1816 George III half crowns, are referred to as being "en medaille". Geoff BTW - which variety of the 1799 do you have?

I have a piano - state of the art 1904. It's black with white and black keys and strings inside and when you press the keys the hammers inside hit the strings and a sound comes out. You can even get lots of different notes by pressing several keys at once. G

Now that I've actually got one I can judge for real. The picture doesn't do justice to the real colour, of course, and the lowish relief of much of the reverse seems a bit wasted on a proof coin, but on the whole I think it's harmless. I though the 2002 reverse was harmless too, even though some people objected to that. I still think we should have a genuinely contemporary design - a 21st century equivalent of the rocking horse. G

This is a sovereign of 1890 from the sound of it. The obverse has the jubilee head of Queen Victoria. It should be 22.05cm in diameter. Value will depend on condition - around £70 upwards. Still legal tender at £1. It can't be a half sovereign as the George and dragon reverse didn't appear on those until 1893.

I really ought to revisit the Manchester Museum - it's about 3 minutes walk from where I work.

There was that memorable episode of "The magic roundabout" c.1969 when Ermintrude was looking for a new hat. After trying several she found her original one which looked up at her and, in a perfect Garbo accent, said "I vant to be alooone". Completely over the heads of most of the kids watching. Classic! Ermintrude was in a league of her own. G

This looks like a medal, not a coin, but beyond that I can't say what.

Very tempting. I've seen about half a dozen recently, all over £200. Any chance of pictures? A decent box is useful, but then £180 is a good price. Needs to be slept on G

As an intelligent guess, 1947 was the year in which Frederik IX succeeded Christian X, which might have produced a limited run of C X coins. G

You should try and get the 1972, as they're the only British coins issued with that date except for the 1972 crown which also came out as a separate commemorative. I now have the 1950, '51 and 53. I'm aiming for the 1937 when the finances allow. Geoff

At risk of sounding pedantic, that should read "every year since 1972". The 1970 and 71 set were issued retrospectively that year. 73-76 all date from 1976. Quite clear really :-) G

If it does indeed say London then it's bound to be a medal, not a coin. As for the XIII - weren't the Olympic Games held in London in 1948 the 13th since 1896? Just a hunch till we get to see it. You'll need to register to post a picture. Geoff

Andy - it was Geoff, not Geordie! Good to see you anyway and hope to be around next month. PS - just seen your reply. I won't be so precipitate next time and read to the end of the list before I dash into e-print.

The Hanoverian kings were also electors, and later kings, of Hanover. This is a German coin of George III giving his German titles of Duke of Luneberg and Brunswick.