Leo

Hello, My collection is not very large and I don't own expensive pieces, but it would kill me if I got burgled. My house insurance covers it in theory - its value is within the limits of a single item under my policy, but in case of a loss and claim I would be unable to surrender proof of purchase for all the pieces. The insurer has told me that the best would be to get the collection valuated. I'm not wild about this as I suspect it would cost me a lot, not to mention that my collection is constantly growing. How are you dealing with this issue? Can photographs be used as proof of ownership in case of claim?

5 pesetas. Cayón 17647, 1898 Madrid SGV 18*98 Bad knock at 12 o'clock which helped me getting it at a very, very satisfying price.

A lovely toned peseta from home. Cayón 17614, 1900 Madrid SMV 18*00 very easy year. For your reference it's roughly the same size as a shilling.

My 2 cents... or something bigger: Silver: XVII century Segovia 50 reales, 'cincuentín', a bit borderline circulation coin as it was minted only for royal or business gifts. Over 170g, 77mm diameter. Fabulous workmanship for the time, as all coins from the Segovia mint Gold: 100 reales, 'centén', also early XVII century Segovia mint as well. Similar dimensions as cincuentín, 340g of gold. Biggest and baddest Spanish coin, very few minted If you want one, stash a couple of millions and wait... But of course, none of these are strictly speaking circulating coins, unlike a cartwheel pence, so I don't think they qualify.

Happy new year to you all! May 2017 bring lots of coins to our collections!

...And happy new year to you all!

Perhaps cleaning hairlines, and the crown looks a bit weak but your photo is too low res to tell. Overall a most pleasing example

Yeah, I see it in Britannia's robe. It's tiny though. I have read some members of the forum mention an American product that seems to be effective but can't remember its name now

I suppose the R and II at both sides of the shield in the reverse? This coin would be a nice piece in a Spanish Sucession-themed tray alongside some VIGO silver, now I think about it Is there any mint (ceca) mark?

Go to this page and scroll down to the 'clipped' example, there is a chance that your coin is like it. It could still be a fake, so your only chance really is to take it to a specialist in colonial cobs. Any chance you could go and see Mr. Sedgwick in Florida?

It did seem late to me, but I had to check and cobs were still being minted in Potosí until 1773. The Mexico mint received modern milling machinery earlier, so they were able to produce the classic pillar dollar that you have uploaded. The number 8 in the second quadrant indicates its denomination (in pillar 8Rs it goes right hand side of the shield)

It could also be that your coin has been trimmed to death, it was common practice. Compare size below

Hi Steve, An 8 real should be twice that weight. Either your scale is wrong, or I haven't got it right (very possible as I don't collect cobs), or you have a fake... which is very likely as these coins are very popular in the international market.

Without being a specialist on the subject, that looks like a Carlos III 1760 piece of 8, Potosí mint. The weight would help

That is very interesting. Would the different tonality exhibited by this one's fingers suggest wear rather than a filled die?

How difficult is it to find coins of that time without impurities in the flan?

Cheers! Well it was quite a modest purchase in a popular online second-hand portal; the owner rated it as BU, rather optimistic... That bumpy bit in the rim looks like a broken or defect die to me.

This is my best. Weak

Between EF and EF+ based on trident-holding fingers

http://londoncoins.co.uk/?searchlot=440&searchtype=2&page=Catalogue I just came across this one, but although I don't collect ancient coins it has caught my eye due to its tempting low estimate. It does look notably different to the typical owl pieces; in particular the A overlapping the owl. This couldn't be a fake, right?

That is all really interesting. I suppose that LCA refunded without objection. Keep all receipts! I assume however that this must happen very very rarely.

Has there ever been a case of a fake coin being auctioned by LCA or by any or the other big houses in the UK? Accidentally of course.

A recent upgrade - very common crown, but the colourful toning caught my eye and I overpayed on it. I'm happy with it but find a bit odd that some of the fields are proof-like with wonderful colour but, at the same time, some areas in the reverse particularly (i.e. St. George's torso and halmet) would struggle to cut EF.

They are very nice! I love the 1911.

Good purchase! I guess sometimes one has to take risks. Do you think she will continue the collection?