CGS - A customer-facing business?

[Bill Pugsley]

The same set had a mule penny, one of three known proof halfcrowns of a new type and a VIP Proof Crown.

I know of another three for certain, so the population will eventually turn out to be in double figures (if not three figures).

I've got two, one of which I've had for several years without realizing they were that scarce.

Hi Nick - two of what? The Halfcrown, Crown or the mule penny? Or two proof sets?

There are (now I believe) three different proof sets - the standard set issued for general population (40,000 made); the VIP Set (as names implies) for special gifts and I suspect less than 100 made but could be as low as 20 and the (as far as I have been able to find) pre-production proof set that was given to advisers to the Bank of England. For the latter it is estimated that there are no more than six produced (but finding out details is quite difficult).

Hi Bill, I highlighted in bold the relevant part of the reply, but in case it isn't that clear on some displays - I know of three (in addition to those known to CGS) of the 1+A proof halfcrowns. Gary D has two of them and I have another one.

I find it hard to believe that there are so few of them. I found one within a few weeks of starting to look.

Baldwins have a 1953 proof set containing a 1+A proof halfcrown in their forthcoming May auction. Estimate £1500-£2000.

With the Baldwin half crown (in their set) that makes seven so far - CGS have attributed three - the one sold at the last London Coin Auction at CGS 85 and two others at CGS 88 and there are obviously others out there. Still a nice scarce piece (so far).

[Gary D]

With the Baldwin half crown (in their set) that makes seven so far - CGS have attributed three - the one sold at the last London Coin Auction at CGS 85 and two others at CGS 88 and there are obviously others out there. Still a nice scarce piece (so far).

Would I be correct in thinking this is only the second one to come to market, the other being the CGS 85. I like the idea that it's still in it's set and would perhaps increase it's desirability if not it's value. I shall be looking on with interest.

[Gary D]

So CGS do slab cleaned coins

link

[Colin G.]

So CGS do slab cleaned coins

link

Technically yes, but if you do a verification check on the coin it will come up as rejected, and the yellow label also highlights this fact. However it is something that needs a bit more prominence on the CGS website. On a separate issue a few coins I submitted are due to be collected tomorrow less than 30 days after they were submitted.

[azda]

So CGS do slab cleaned coins

link

Technically yes, but if you do a verification check on the coin it will come up as rejected, and the yellow label also highlights this fact. However it is something that needs a bit more prominence on the CGS website. On a separate issue a few coins I submitted are due to be collected tomorrow less than 30 days after they were submitted.

That'll be why mine are taking so long then. Today is the 23rd day and its just gone to "finalising grade" that was after a phonecall as they'd been sitting at Level II grading for ever. So in theory My Coins should be with me next Friday, bets anyone?

[Nick]

With the Baldwin half crown (in their set) that makes seven so far - CGS have attributed three - the one sold at the last London Coin Auction at CGS 85 and two others at CGS 88 and there are obviously others out there. Still a nice scarce piece (so far).

Would I be correct in thinking this is only the second one to come to market, the other being the CGS 85. I like the idea that it's still in it's set and would perhaps increase it's desirability if not it's value. I shall be looking on with interest.

It's only the second that I've seen being sold as a 1+A proof variety. Based upon the picture in the Baldwins auction catalogue, it's a good looking set with matching tone.

[Peckris]

With the Baldwin half crown (in their set) that makes seven so far - CGS have attributed three - the one sold at the last London Coin Auction at CGS 85 and two others at CGS 88 and there are obviously others out there. Still a nice scarce piece (so far).

Would I be correct in thinking this is only the second one to come to market, the other being the CGS 85. I like the idea that it's still in it's set and would perhaps increase it's desirability if not it's value. I shall be looking on with interest.

Yes - that's why I've kept my proof 2+A farthing in the set it came in.

[Nick]

With the Baldwin half crown (in their set) that makes seven so far - CGS have attributed three - the one sold at the last London Coin Auction at CGS 85 and two others at CGS 88 and there are obviously others out there. Still a nice scarce piece (so far).

Would I be correct in thinking this is only the second one to come to market, the other being the CGS 85. I like the idea that it's still in it's set and would perhaps increase it's desirability if not it's value. I shall be looking on with interest.

Yes - that's why I've kept my proof 2+A farthing in the set it came in.

I would have preferred to have bought the set containing my 1+A proof halfcrown, but it was only offered as a singleton.

[Gary D]

With the Baldwin half crown (in their set) that makes seven so far - CGS have attributed three - the one sold at the last London Coin Auction at CGS 85 and two others at CGS 88 and there are obviously others out there. Still a nice scarce piece (so far).

Would I be correct in thinking this is only the second one to come to market, the other being the CGS 85. I like the idea that it's still in it's set and would perhaps increase it's desirability if not it's value. I shall be looking on with interest.

Yes - that's why I've kept my proof 2+A farthing in the set it came in.

I would have preferred to have bought the set containing my 1+A proof halfcrown, but it was only offered as a singleton.

Was it identified as a 1+A when you bought it.

Freeman rates the 2+A farthing as R9 and 2+B as R6 so out of 40,000 sets that's 30,000 2+B and 10,000 2+A. In my opinion he should perhaps put the 2+A up a notch or two to R11 at least which would make them about 10:1, even then they don't come up very often. Could the Half Crown be as common as the 2+A Farthing and has any of the other denominations ever come to light.

I thought I had the Obv 1 Scottish Shilling but I now think it's more likely to be a very early strike akin to the proof-like Crowns you occasionally see.

Edited April 13, 2013 by Gary D

[Bill Pugsley]

With the Baldwin half crown (in their set) that makes seven so far - CGS have attributed three - the one sold at the last London Coin Auction at CGS 85 and two others at CGS 88 and there are obviously others out there. Still a nice scarce piece (so far).

Would I be correct in thinking this is only the second one to come to market, the other being the CGS 85. I like the idea that it's still in it's set and would perhaps increase it's desirability if not it's value. I shall be looking on with interest.

Yes - that's why I've kept my proof 2+A farthing in the set it came in.

I would have preferred to have bought the set containing my 1+A proof halfcrown, but it was only offered as a singleton.

Was it identified as a 1+A when you bought it.

Freeman rates the 2+A farthing as R9 and 2+B as R6 so out of 40,000 sets that's 30,000 2+B and 10,000 2+A. In my opinion he should perhaps put the 2+A up a notch or two to R11 at least which would make them about 10:1, even then they don't come up very often. Could the Half Crown be as common as the 2+A Farthing and has any of the other denominations ever come to light.

I thought I had the Obv 1 Scottish Shilling but I now think it's more likely to be a very early strike akin to the proof-like Crowns you occasionally see.

Colin cooke farthing catalogue cites the 2+A farthing as extremely rare and I think they have only sold two in the last ten years or so - the second one around £300 if I recollect correctly.

[Nick]

With the Baldwin half crown (in their set) that makes seven so far - CGS have attributed three - the one sold at the last London Coin Auction at CGS 85 and two others at CGS 88 and there are obviously others out there. Still a nice scarce piece (so far).

Would I be correct in thinking this is only the second one to come to market, the other being the CGS 85. I like the idea that it's still in it's set and would perhaps increase it's desirability if not it's value. I shall be looking on with interest.

Yes - that's why I've kept my proof 2+A farthing in the set it came in.

I would have preferred to have bought the set containing my 1+A proof halfcrown, but it was only offered as a singleton.

Was it identified as a 1+A when you bought it.

Freeman rates the 2+A farthing as R9 and 2+B as R6 so out of 40,000 sets that's 30,000 2+B and 10,000 2+A. In my opinion he should perhaps put the 2+A up a notch or two to R11 at least which would make them about 10:1, even then they don't come up very often. Could the Half Crown be as common as the 2+A Farthing and has any of the other denominations ever come to light.

I thought I had the Obv 1 Scottish Shilling but I now think it's more likely to be a very early strike akin to the proof-like Crowns you occasionally see.

No. It would have been way out of my budget if it had.

[Gary D]

With the Baldwin half crown (in their set) that makes seven so far - CGS have attributed three - the one sold at the last London Coin Auction at CGS 85 and two others at CGS 88 and there are obviously others out there. Still a nice scarce piece (so far).

Would I be correct in thinking this is only the second one to come to market, the other being the CGS 85. I like the idea that it's still in it's set and would perhaps increase it's desirability if not it's value. I shall be looking on with interest.

Yes - that's why I've kept my proof 2+A farthing in the set it came in.

I would have preferred to have bought the set containing my 1+A proof halfcrown, but it was only offered as a singleton.

Was it identified as a 1+A when you bought it.

Freeman rates the 2+A farthing as R9 and 2+B as R6 so out of 40,000 sets that's 30,000 2+B and 10,000 2+A. In my opinion he should perhaps put the 2+A up a notch or two to R11 at least which would make them about 10:1, even then they don't come up very often. Could the Half Crown be as common as the 2+A Farthing and has any of the other denominations ever come to light.

I thought I had the Obv 1 Scottish Shilling but I now think it's more likely to be a very early strike akin to the proof-like Crowns you occasionally see.

Colin cooke farthing catalogue cites the 2+A farthing as extremely rare and I think they have only sold two in the last ten years or so - the second one around £300 if I recollect correctly.

I have rescued several off of ebay over the last few years although not seen one recently. They have usually only made £30-40 once identified so the one CC sold must have been very special.

[Peckris]

With the Baldwin half crown (in their set) that makes seven so far - CGS have attributed three - the one sold at the last London Coin Auction at CGS 85 and two others at CGS 88 and there are obviously others out there. Still a nice scarce piece (so far).

Would I be correct in thinking this is only the second one to come to market, the other being the CGS 85. I like the idea that it's still in it's set and would perhaps increase it's desirability if not it's value. I shall be looking on with interest.

Yes - that's why I've kept my proof 2+A farthing in the set it came in.

I would have preferred to have bought the set containing my 1+A proof halfcrown, but it was only offered as a singleton.

Was it identified as a 1+A when you bought it.

Freeman rates the 2+A farthing as R9 and 2+B as R6 so out of 40,000 sets that's 30,000 2+B and 10,000 2+A. In my opinion he should perhaps put the 2+A up a notch or two to R11 at least which would make them about 10:1, even then they don't come up very often. Could the Half Crown be as common as the 2+A Farthing and has any of the other denominations ever come to light.

I thought I had the Obv 1 Scottish Shilling but I now think it's more likely to be a very early strike akin to the proof-like Crowns you occasionally see.

Colin cooke farthing catalogue cites the 2+A farthing as extremely rare and I think they have only sold two in the last ten years or so - the second one around £300 if I recollect correctly.

I have rescued several off of ebay over the last few years although not seen one recently. They have usually only made £30-40 once identified so the one CC sold must have been very special.

Are you talking about the proof? That is supposed to be very much rarer than the currency, which makes Freeman's rarity rating rather strange.

[Gary D]

With the Baldwin half crown (in their set) that makes seven so far - CGS have attributed three - the one sold at the last London Coin Auction at CGS 85 and two others at CGS 88 and there are obviously others out there. Still a nice scarce piece (so far).

Would I be correct in thinking this is only the second one to come to market, the other being the CGS 85. I like the idea that it's still in it's set and would perhaps increase it's desirability if not it's value. I shall be looking on with interest.

Yes - that's why I've kept my proof 2+A farthing in the set it came in.

I would have preferred to have bought the set containing my 1+A proof halfcrown, but it was only offered as a singleton.

Was it identified as a 1+A when you bought it.

Freeman rates the 2+A farthing as R9 and 2+B as R6 so out of 40,000 sets that's 30,000 2+B and 10,000 2+A. In my opinion he should perhaps put the 2+A up a notch or two to R11 at least which would make them about 10:1, even then they don't come up very often. Could the Half Crown be as common as the 2+A Farthing and has any of the other denominations ever come to light.

I thought I had the Obv 1 Scottish Shilling but I now think it's more likely to be a very early strike akin to the proof-like Crowns you occasionally see.

Colin cooke farthing catalogue cites the 2+A farthing as extremely rare and I think they have only sold two in the last ten years or so - the second one around £300 if I recollect correctly.

I have rescued several off of ebay over the last few years although not seen one recently. They have usually only made £30-40 once identified so the one CC sold must have been very special.

Are you talking about the proof? That is supposed to be very much rarer than the currency, which makes Freeman's rarity rating rather strange.

yes the proof

Edited April 13, 2013 by Gary D

[VickySilver]

Uggh, I am trying to develop the interest to look at my own two or three proof '53 2/6s and see if they are the rarer bit, but just can not manage the enthusiasm required to do so. And I collect milled 1838-1965!

OK, I haven't looked at my '53 farthings either...

But I am a real collector, so I profess!

Point being, I guess these "hypervarietals" are for some, but not all of us. On the other hand if I was thinking about selling, then there would be incentive to check...

Edited April 13, 2013 by VickySilver

[declanwmagee]

Point being, I guess these "hypervarietals" are for some, but not all of us. On the other hand if I was thinking about selling, then there would be incentive to check...

Hypervarietals: I love 'em. I just secured the last and trickiest of the 4 different 1889 threepences:

1+B D.1335

2+A D.1336 <<<this one!

2+B D.1337

3+B D.1339

Hard to avoid hypervarietals in the Vicky Silver series...

[Nick]

Point being, I guess these "hypervarietals" are for some, but not all of us. On the other hand if I was thinking about selling, then there would be incentive to check...

Hypervarietals: I love 'em. I just secured the last and trickiest of the 4 different 1889 threepences:

1+B D.1335

2+A D.1336 <<<this one!

2+B D.1337

3+B D.1339

Hard to avoid hypervarietals in the Vicky Silver series...

Assuming that the 1+A and the 3+A don't exist.

A 2+A is a nice find. I only have the more common 1+B and 2+B.

[declanwmagee]

Assuming that the 1+A and the 3+A don't exist.

A 2+A is a nice find. I only have the more common 1+B and 2+B.

Indeed. I have a kind of blurry policy towards unconfirmed Davies numbers. I let myself off the hook actively looking for them when I couldn't be doing with checking every 1937 silver threepence, but then I found D.751, an unconfirmed 1870 florin. So at least some of them do exist.

[Nick]

Assuming that the 1+A and the 3+A don't exist.

A 2+A is a nice find. I only have the more common 1+B and 2+B.

Indeed. I have a kind of blurry policy towards unconfirmed Davies numbers. I let myself off the hook actively looking for them when I couldn't be doing with checking every 1937 silver threepence, but then I found D.751, an unconfirmed 1870 florin. So at least some of them do exist.

I've never found a D.751, but I thought it sure to be out there somewhere given that 1868, 1869, 1871 & 1872 florins all exist with both A and B reverses.

[Nick]

There is still the matter of the guarantee (that I would like to see on the website) which I will be chasing later this week and hope to report on next week at the latest.

Any update on this, Bill?

[azda]

So CGS do slab cleaned coins

link

Technically yes, but if you do a verification check on the coin it will come up as rejected, and the yellow label also highlights this fact. However it is something that needs a bit more prominence on the CGS website. On a separate issue a few coins I submitted are due to be collected tomorrow less than 30 days after they were submitted.

That'll be why mine are taking so long then. Today is the 23rd day and its just gone to "finalising grade" that was after a phonecall as they'd been sitting at Level II grading for ever. So in theory My Coins should be with me next Friday, bets anyone?

1763 has been returned and rejected, still waiting on the 1935 proof which was sent on the 20th March, we're into overtime, lets see by how long

Edited April 25, 2013 by azda

[Sword]

One significant improvement with CGS is that you now receive an e-mail when your coin has been encapsulated saying that it will be dispatched "within a few days". (I have once waited for more than 3 weeks in the past for coins to get posted.) Thank you Bill if this is due to your feedback to CGS.

[rpeddie]

whats the turnaround time for CGS nowadays? i sent some over in late November and only got them back mid February, it gotten any better?

[Sword]

whats the turnaround time for CGS nowadays? i sent some over in late November and only got them back mid February, it gotten any better?

[Sword]

whats the turnaround time for CGS nowadays? i sent some over in late November and only got them back mid February, it gotten any better?

Depends on what you are paying. It is given on this link:

http://www.coingradingservices.co.uk/?page=service_charge

It can take up to 90 days which is far too long in my view. However, at least they are now promising to post promptly after encapsulation.