Ebay's Worst Offerings

[1949threepence]

I'd quite like one, but not at that price

You do get 4 pieces in there, so it isn't as bad as might first appear.

Does anyone know how many were made and who the designer was?

Well I've tried to find out, but drawn a total blank. There is one report from the Royal Mint itself, which refers to the initial test design in 1994, but gives no designer name. The only names we are given are those of Rushin & Maklouf for the reverse and obverse of the eventual circulation issues in 1997, and Rank-Broadley for the 1998 obverse. The link is here

Unfortunately all the other links on the issue, appear to have cloned the Royal Mint report to some degree or other, so the name of the trial coins designer is unknown. Maybe a Royal Mint employee.

Hopefully somebody will have access to this obscure information.

[Chingford]

I'd quite like one, but not at that price

You do get 4 pieces in there, so it isn't as bad as might first appear.

Does anyone know how many were made and who the designer was?

Well I've tried to find out, but drawn a total blank. There is one report from the Royal Mint itself, which refers to the initial test design in 1994, but gives no designer name. The only names we are given are those of Rushin & Maklouf for the reverse and obverse of the eventual circulation issues in 1997, and Rank-Broadley for the 1998 obverse. The link is here

Unfortunately all the other links on the issue, appear to have cloned the Royal Mint report to some degree or other, so the name of the trial coins designer is unknown. Maybe a Royal Mint employee.

Hopefully somebody will have access to this obscure information.

Can't find my set at the moment but I have an image of the four stages

[Chingford]

I'd quite like one, but not at that price

You do get 4 pieces in there, so it isn't as bad as might first appear.

Does anyone know how many were made and who the designer was?

Well I've tried to find out, but drawn a total blank. There is one report from the Royal Mint itself, which refers to the initial test design in 1994, but gives no designer name. The only names we are given are those of Rushin & Maklouf for the reverse and obverse of the eventual circulation issues in 1997, and Rank-Broadley for the 1998 obverse. The link is here

Unfortunately all the other links on the issue, appear to have cloned the Royal Mint report to some degree or other, so the name of the trial coins designer is unknown. Maybe a Royal Mint employee.

Hopefully somebody will have access to this obscure information.

Can't find my set at the moment but I have an image of the four stages

[1949threepence]

I'd quite like one, but not at that price

You do get 4 pieces in there, so it isn't as bad as might first appear.

Does anyone know how many were made and who the designer was?

Well I've tried to find out, but drawn a total blank. There is one report from the Royal Mint itself, which refers to the initial test design in 1994, but gives no designer name. The only names we are given are those of Rushin & Maklouf for the reverse and obverse of the eventual circulation issues in 1997, and Rank-Broadley for the 1998 obverse. The link is here

Unfortunately all the other links on the issue, appear to have cloned the Royal Mint report to some degree or other, so the name of the trial coins designer is unknown. Maybe a Royal Mint employee.

Hopefully somebody will have access to this obscure information.

Can't find my set at the moment but I have an image of the four stages

Well I tell you what, put "TWO POUNDS" in place of "ROYAL MINT TRIAL", and that wouldn't have been a bad design for the coin. Looks concise, neat and attractive.

[argentumandcoins]

I'd quite like one, but not at that price

You do get 4 pieces in there, so it isn't as bad as might first appear.

Does anyone know how many were made and who the designer was?

Well I've tried to find out, but drawn a total blank. There is one report from the Royal Mint itself, which refers to the initial test design in 1994, but gives no designer name. The only names we are given are those of Rushin & Maklouf for the reverse and obverse of the eventual circulation issues in 1997, and Rank-Broadley for the 1998 obverse. The link is here

Unfortunately all the other links on the issue, appear to have cloned the Royal Mint report to some degree or other, so the name of the trial coins designer is unknown. Maybe a Royal Mint employee.

Hopefully somebody will have access to this obscure information.

Can't find my set at the moment but I have an image of the four stages

Well I tell you what, put "TWO POUNDS" in place of "ROYAL MINT TRIAL", and that wouldn't have been a bad design for the coin. Looks concise, neat and attractive.

I've had a look inside the pack and there is no information at all on the designer.

[argentumandcoins]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1935-GEORGE-V-CROWN-RAISED-EDGE-/110559912616?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item19bde262a8

1935 raised edge Crown. £100 opening bid!!!!!

[DaveG38]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1935-GEORGE-V-CROWN-RAISED-EDGE-/110559912616?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Coins_BritishMilled_RL&hash=item19bde262a8

1935 raised edge Crown. £100 opening bid!!!!!

Carefully worded to avoid the term 'proof.' And technically correct as the edge is raised - just not the lettering! A very clear con, but as always caveat emptor.

[VickySilver]

Looks to be a 50 pound coin (at best), poss. specimen but even this might be in doubt as a little wheelwork with a buffer may bring this appearance.

[Gary D]

Looks to be a 50 pound coin (at best), poss. specimen but even this might be in doubt as a little wheelwork with a buffer may bring this appearance.

And someone actually bought it.

What worries me though is I have a search for British coins worldwide which I check daily, and I missed this one. I wonder how many other gems have slipped pass me.

[argentumandcoins]

Looks to be a 50 pound coin (at best), poss. specimen but even this might be in doubt as a little wheelwork with a buffer may bring this appearance.

And someone actually bought it.

What worries me though is I have a search for British coins worldwide which I check daily, and I missed this one. I wonder how many other gems have slipped pass me.

You didn't miss much. Looked like a polished/cleaned EF to me and worth £10 tops.

I have found the ebay search engine to be utterly bloody useless. Even entering specific dates/words on a worldwide search still misses items. If you try it and then google the same phrase you will see what I mean. Only today I tried to find a book that was hidden on ebay until I went in via google!!!!????!!!!

[Coppers]

Out of focus, but a real bargain (if it's real)....

link

[Peckris]

Out of focus, but a real bargain (if it's real)....

link

He must have read your post Mark, he's added two sharp photos of this replica

[TomGoodheart]

Another near classic. Tiny pic that's not much clearer on enlarging and a vague description "BRITISH SILVER HAMMERED COIN RARE"

Thing is, how can you know it's rare if you are, as he says, "UNSURE OF TYPE OR CAT NUMBER"?

Honestly, I think a lot of ebayers think 'Rare' means, "I've not seen one of these before"

Ah well, at least it's only a 99p start.

[Peckris]

Another near classic. Tiny pic that's not much clearer on enlarging and a vague description "BRITISH SILVER HAMMERED COIN RARE"

Thing is, how can you know it's rare if you are, as he says, "UNSURE OF TYPE OR CAT NUMBER"?

Honestly, I think a lot of ebayers think 'Rare' means, "I've not seen one of these before"

Ah well, at least it's only a 99p start.

Almost certainly an Edward I penny, where RARE = RARE, not

[Coppers]

Out of focus, but a real bargain (if it's real)....

link

He must have read your post Mark, he's added two sharp photos of this replica

Chris -- I wouldn't laugh too hard -- I just checked and the coin realized £101.00

Edited July 29, 2010 by Coppers

[Red Riley]

Chris -- I wouldn't laugh too hard -- I just checked and the coin realized £101.00

A badly altered 1935 went for a hundred and something quid at the recent London Coins auction.

[Peckris]

Out of focus, but a real bargain (if it's real)....

link

He must have read your post Mark, he's added two sharp photos of this replica

Chris -- I wouldn't laugh too hard -- I just checked and the coin realized £101.00

OMG, there's one born every minute. When you consider they're available new for about £15 - £25. Pffft. I remember seeing one that was a good forgery go for between £200 - £300, but that was worth it, really convincing. This thing is such an obvious replica it should come with an "Any resemblance to any known coin living or dead" disclaimer.

[The Future]

Out of focus, but a real bargain (if it's real)....

link

He must have read your post Mark, he's added two sharp photos of this replica

Chris -- I wouldn't laugh too hard -- I just checked and the coin realized £101.00

Look at the bid history. It appears an account was set up to place a shill bid to make the item look genuine.

[1949threepence]

Out of focus, but a real bargain (if it's real)....

link

He must have read your post Mark, he's added two sharp photos of this replica

Chris -- I wouldn't laugh too hard -- I just checked and the coin realized £101.00

Look at the bid history. It appears an account was set up to place a shill bid to make the item look genuine.

Absolutely blatant shill bid, which, it appears, some sucker fell for. Why don't people look at bid histories before they bid, especially if they've been watching a coin, and a low price suddenly jumps dramatically.

[argentumandcoins]

No link but worth it for entertainment value.

I recently sold an 1838 Groat to a UK buyer, my feedback was left by him today, a positive with the comment...............

A bit small

You'd think I could make them bigger for ebayers wouldn't you?

[Red Riley]

A bit small

That's completely off the wall. A bit like describing a classic wine as being 'rather wet'. There are some interesting people out there!

[Peckris]

No link but worth it for entertainment value.

I recently sold an 1838 Groat to a UK buyer, my feedback was left by him today, a positive with the comment...............

A bit small

You'd think I could make them bigger for ebayers wouldn't you?

Shame on you, selling undersized groats. I'll have the Weights & Measures people onto you.

[scott]

groats are too small, they are 4p afterall they should be 2x as big as a 2p

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250678123080

really now.. a lot with a 1933 penny in... that price is rediculous :/

[argentumandcoins]

groats are too small, they are 4p afterall they should be 2x as big as a 2p

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250678123080

really now.. a lot with a 1933 penny in... that price is rediculous :/

Oh dear! My grandfather used to own a pub and he once got one in the till, he died in 1968 anybody want to buy it from me?

[DaveG38]

groats are too small, they are 4p afterall they should be 2x as big as a 2p

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250678123080

really now.. a lot with a 1933 penny in... that price is rediculous :/

Oh dear! My grandfather used to own a pub and he once got one in the till, he died in 1968 anybody want to buy it from me?

From what I can see amongst the blurry photos (giveaway or what) this one looks quite nicely done - the date looks pretty good and the dirt etc on the obverse gives a nice 'real' feel to it. But if you are going to fake or replicate a 1933 penny in order to deceive, what's with the huge reverse border teeth? Looking at this, I'm assuming its one of the very nice recent replicas, which go for around £14.99 or so, and which has been dirtied up to look older. If so, then I guess the designer wanted to provide something good enough to look right in a collection, for those who want a date filler, yet didn't want to make them so good that they enter the food chain and genuinely deceive.

Am I right, or does anyone have a different take on it?

Edited August 10, 2010 by DaveG38