My Mowbray's auction lot arrived today finally. This is a rare 1892 Boer 5 shillings, unlike the rest of Zuid Afrikanse coin series of 1892 - 1900, the 5 shillings was a one off coin issued only in 1892 and it was minted in Germany at the Royal Prussian Mint in Berlin.
My coin is a decent but cleaned gVF example. Its basically the same design as the 2½ shillings. There are two types, the one axle wagon on the coat of arms and the much rarer 2 axle wagon. This is the more common single axle. Just 14k were minted and many were turned into jewellery, remelted or vandalised in the Boer war, it ticks off a big box with my South African collection.
Japanese 1,000 yen coin - silver for 1964 Olympic Games (Year 39 of Showa - Emperor Hirohito). I never knew this coin existed, always knew about the silver 100 yen coins, but this is a beauty - large (35mm) and 92.5% silver (18.5 grams out of 20 grams) and I love the imagery of sakura blossoms, chrysanthemums and Fujiyama san. Unc but possibly cleaned.
Very worn and cleaned Canada 50c coin, the date is one I did not have the most common of the 1910s George V 50c coins. Probably just VG8 and I met the guy and asked him to stop cleaning coins. This and the Japanese coin only cost melt though.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Cheers, I just spotted that typo. It's a great day for coins. I just had a second package through for the day. A gorgeous UK shilling from 1900, which unfortunately has a rim ding and a bit of a scratch on the obverse.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
An abo that lures people in with a deal in the hope that people don't cancel it before it gets expensive. Like the first coin for face and the other 99 for triple the price etc.
An abo that lures people in with a deal in the hope that people don't cancel it before it gets expensive. Like the first coin for face and the other 99 for triple the price etc.
I've seen plenty of things like that. There was one that was “banknotes of the world” You had to sign up for a subscription where every month you'd receive a magazine and one world banknote. The first edition was $1.99, then every one after that was $8.99. The banknotes were usually only worth a few cents each
Thank you Idolenz and Pennyless. So we would call it also a partwork, a notorious collection serial magazine that often formed a larger printed work and offered some model, toy or collection to get like CD's of Classical music, bits of a model car, stitchwork designs, banknotes, dolls etc. They were everywhere in the 1980s, 90s and 2000s and often promoted on TV for the first parts. Two I collected big time was “Murder Casebook” in 1991/93 - my Mum thought I wanted to be a murderer (I mean seriously) and the ripoff I have discussed here several times - Money of the world by Fabbri (Italo/British company obviously), issued in NZ between July 1999 and mid 2001 - it was issued in the UK 1997 and 1998 I think up to around 2000.
Most of the ones we got were published in the UK, and often a year or more old and unsold stock dumped on us from the UK. Part One was always really cheap like 99c or something and it had a free folder or major piece of a model. Then part 2 was like $3.95 and other parts up to some crazy price like $17.95 and you ended up paying $2,000+ for 100 parts to make a car model worth maybe $300. The gimmick came with a “magazine” which was 12 - 20 pages of basic and very colourful printed material, often in sections that had to be sorted into specially made folders, some given away and others sold for more money.
Needless to say most buyers dropped off in the first 10 parts and only a handful collected to the end, given it was unsold old stock, they often missed parts and doubled up and about 10 years ago, English “partworks” were banned unless they proved they had enough stock at the start. Hard to prove as often a 100 or 150 week or fortnight long serial partwork, was only halfway through its run in the UK, when they started issuing it in NZ. A Ferrari car model issued between 2004 and 2007 was the last major one and shut the down the run of them as it was obvious too many bits were missing (They sold out in the UK, leaving no stock for the “colonials”).
NZ got sick of them too, as it was “colonial dumping” in which Brits get the A grade stock and first picks and colonials get left overs, much later and at a much marked up price. This type of colonial dumping happened with so much British printed matter here and in Australia, Ireland, South Africa and even Malta! Another example was us getting Whizzer and Chips and Buster comics in the mid 1980s. They cost around 22p in the UK in 1985, but when we got them, they were 3 - 4 months old and cost like 80 cents our money (3.8x as much when the dollar was 2.7 to £1) and any free gift was with the label “Free gifts are not available to overseas readers”.
Fabbri Money of the world was a notorious one from the late 90s and featured a part 1 that gave away a 40% silver half dollar of the USA from the late 1960s, a coin worth a couple of bucks even then to lure people in to the series. But after that the parts gave away either a single banknote or 2 coins from a country and an infantile 16 page magazine about the country aimed at 8 year olds. The coins and banknotes were the cheapest and nastiest possible like always the 1 cent or ½cent of whatever unit they used in that country and often obselete coins that had been withdrawn due to worthlessness were given away and the notes were always inflation ones from Latin America or rublenik type ones from ex USSR countries/stans. So you paid $10 for maybe 50 cents of printing and 2 cents worth of currency. The half dollar was bait and no doubt hooked many people. In addition you got some very cheap plastic pages and labels for your “Valuable and exotic collection of real money you can spend in these countries now!” and one free binder (Decent). But yeah - whoever printed these was making some serious coin. I got sick of it after 50 parts or so. Even if it was a developed country - the coins would be obselete (This was before Euros) and Iceland was a good example giving away an old 1 Krona coin from before the 1981 currency reform, Brazilian cruzados from some wave in the 1970s and an Argentinian 5 Australes note from 1985 that was by 1998, worthless and superseded.
They were likely buying up stocks of obselete and unused currency, like retired 1 and 2 cent coins from New Zealand issued in a part in 1998/200, when the coins were demonitised in 1989.
Looks like it was Orbis in UK, but Fabbri in NZ
Earlier on this year, our dear departed colleague, Mimael also got hooked on them, with a modernised Czech version of this magazine “Mince and Cervony” or something like that and seem delighted by its rip off offerings. So these aboonements are not dead yet.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Some coins I picked up at the Toronto coin expo. I have to research on the Brazilian piece; I couldn’t find it in a quick search on Numista catalogue while I was there. but I know it is certainly not in my collection
most of the coins came from one table; the man cane all the way from Buffalo and after collecting for 60 years, is liquidating his collection now. They are not necessarily in the best grades, but good enough for me.
I present an AE22 from Athens, with a cute little owl!
Not on the Numista catalog yet.
It was not cheap, but it costed me just one tenth of the price of that famous athenian tetradrachms.
Finally got an owl of mine, even if it's bronze instead of silver.
Edit: Finished creating the page, pending approval: N#499884
And wow, we're almost reaching 500.000 itens on our catalog.
What a great coin and so historic. That is one of the classic coins and probably a rarer survival in copper/bronze!
Stefan, really love your crowns too! I also picked up that Mexican piece from a dealer 2 years ago and it was only $1 or $2 above its melt value. I don't know why, its a nice design and is good silver content.
I seem to be attracting silver Olympic coins with that one, Tokyo 1964 1,000 yen and the 10 Mark of West Germany for Munich 1972!
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
That 40 réis is from Portugal, not Brazil: N#24046 .
Ah thank you, the seller had it noted as Brazil. would this coin have co-circulated in Brazil too?
cheers
Not an expert but I don't think so.
And thanks Moneytane.
But turns out that this is not a classical era issue, but an hellenistic era issue, minted after Athens regained independence from the kingdom of Macedon. But it have a design that reminds of the classical era silvers, what makes it attractive regardless of being bronze.
Today I decided to buy some bullion, in case these gold and silver prices go higher and spent a lot for my bullion stack. For a smidge under $10k (One of my term investments paid up, but may be one of my last big buys).
Also bought 10 x American silver eagles 2025 - lovely coins
and 10 Britannias 2025 (Silver).
Just 20 ounces of silver and 1 ounce of gold left little change from 10,000 of our humble pesos, but happy - now have over a pound of gold and 21kg of silver (Only 1kg is bullion).
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
I am expanding my South American coin collection. I have some silver coins from Uruguay, now I am going to make up a set of the fractional coins to 1960.
I have almost nothing from Peru, havent even looked at the catalog before. Now I am starting in on the silver in earnest.
Back to LMU Europe, I admit I am stacking this stuff. I dont even check my inventory, if the price is right and it catches the eye, I take it.
I love this 2x2 flip so much. think how long ago that asking price was the right price…
Its 4.17 grams of silver. I paid US$ 7.50 . Spot price will likely surpass that in a few weeks.
I think the price of gold and silver will continue to climb against all currencies, no reversal in sight.
No reason to hang on to dollars if you can get gold, that I can see, in my opinion.
Jamais l'or n'a perdu la plus petite occasion de se montrer stupide. -Balzac
Britannias for 2025 with latent disk thing at 8 o'clock position. Cellphones can not take good photos of proof bullion coins. I bought all 10 of them the seller had!
One of the 10 eagles I bought, all 2025 and they all have a premium on them next to the Britannias. Very popular coins. Even though I only bought 10 of each coin, they gave me a tube for each and I can add subsequent coins to them. I paid slightly more as this dealer was happy to sell odd and small quantities, whereas some of the big bullion houses, sell only whole tubes (20 or 25 depending on the coin) and thus can sell them a few cents cheaper per coin.
Now the star - the gold ounce, this is the Black Bull of Clarence
Absolutely stunning piece and nicer in the flesh. The most I have paid for any coin and the highest face value, yet I have 2 gold coins with more gold in them and one with an equal amount as well. Already in one day I would have paid $50 more had I waited a single day!
Some more humble lots that appeared in a small weekend local buy
3 commem 50ps from UK (1998 EU, and NHS and 2000 Library) and the £2 St. Pauls/Victory in WW2 from 2005.
I mainly bought them as I needed them and they cost barely over face ($8.80 when FV in NZ is about $8.20), they appear to be AU/UNC too and most in change would be down to VF by now.
Very old UK sixpence that ticks off another date I need and step closer to completing all the silver and copper W4 coins.
US Standing Liberty quarter I paid barely over melt for. This one is VG or so and 1928S
Another old Danish coin, here a 25 Ore from 1919, 60% silver and the last date of silver in common circulation coins (Excluding the commem 2 Kroners etc), the war meant they went straight to muck metals after 1919.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
The Art Deco imagery on those 1920s and 1930s Uruguayan coins is nice.
I wondered that too about the Standing Libs. I think the “desks” are actually statue podiums or bases with writing on the sides.
On a less worn example (My very nice 1917D Type 1), its actually an olive branch she holds it slips slightly below the edge of the desks/podiums. But on a very worn coin like my new one, it really looks like a pen on the desk. Most of those early 20th century designs on American coins, were gorgeous - but prone to heavy wear due to their very high relief.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
I'm not really into non circulating coins but I couldn't resist this. I still wonder why Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory, would celebrate this Irish legend.
I think that coin may be a fantasy (Have not consulted the catalogue yet). 2 clues give it away
1. All Gibraltar coinage must have the British sovereign on it.
2. Half Crown is not a valid denomination after 1971
This coin celebrates an Irish independence hero and thus was an opposite to the British crown and regime.
UPDATE - I am wrong, its listed and I am surprised, it does not say what mint it is from, but looks like a 3rd party mint and its NCLT like the Niue stuff - N#371552
It is how ever the only half crown from 2022 that does not have a portrait of QE2 or her royal cypher, here we only have the tower motif and the keys.
FURTHER UPDATE - Seems they are minted by a 3rd party mint called the Dublin Mint Office and its standard 3rd party mint tatt, with gold plated cupronickel versions and this coin is muck metal as well. But at least its relevant to Ireland (Not really Gibraltar where most people are of Maltese, Portuguese or Spanish/English descent, rather than Republican Irish).
Makes sense as I am sure the British would not be happy Gibraltar legalised coins issued bya 3rd party non official mint in Ireland that celebrate a man many British would consider a rebel and enemy to the British empire (I myself don't, in my opinion Michael Collins was a real hero). Its like the Chinese issuing coins of Mayo zedong in Papwa New Guinea and Grenadines of st. wallpaper stamp land).
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Wow. Thanks a million Moneytane for your time and effort. Your dedication to coins is unbelievable. I did check to see if it was listed on Numista before buying it. Seeing it listed gave it validation in my eyes. It cost me 8 euros plus 2 postage so not a big hit for a ‘dud’. Going by your information maybe the coin should be moved away from Gibraltar in the Numista catalogue. Anyways thanks again.
I think that coin may be a fantasy (Have not consulted the catalogue yet). 2 clues give it away
1. All Gibraltar coinage must have the British sovereign on it.
2. Half Crown is not a valid denomination after 1971
This coin celebrates an Irish independence hero and thus was an opposite to the British crown and regime.
UPDATE - I am wrong, its listed and I am surprised, it does not say what mint it is from, but looks like a 3rd party mint and its NCLT like the Niue stuff - N#371552
It is how ever the only half crown from 2022 that does not have a portrait of QE2 or her royal cypher, here we only have the tower motif and the keys.
FURTHER UPDATE - Seems they are minted by a 3rd party mint called the Dublin Mint Office and its standard 3rd party mint tatt, with gold plated cupronickel versions and this coin is muck metal as well. But at least its relevant to Ireland (Not really Gibraltar where most people are of Maltese, Portuguese or Spanish/English descent, rather than Republican Irish).
Makes sense as I am sure the British would not be happy Gibraltar legalised coins issued bya 3rd party non official mint in Ireland that celebrate a man many British would consider a rebel and enemy to the British empire (I myself don't, in my opinion Michael Collins was a real hero). Its like the Chinese issuing coins of Mayo zedong in Papwa New Guinea and Grenadines of st. wallpaper stamp land).
Interesting take with which I agree from our numismatic viewpoint. I don't think the average Brit cares or even knows about that stuff though never mind know who Collins was and the ones that do are intelligent enough to not hold any grudges vice versa Irish or Englishman. Down the line alot of English people have connections to Ireland through friendships or family and ancestral myself included or only needs to know 3 people to be connected to an Irishman for example. Nothing colonial. I don't think Gibraltar will be being handed over to Spain in rage by our PM because the Dublin mint office decided to issue a coin in Gibraltars name honouring a figure that splits opinions even among the Irish themselves.
Saint Lucia 5 Dollars 1986 Papal visit. Got for £8 . One of my best finds this autumn so far. Always nice to find coins like this from places that are part of a currency union and rarely issue their own coins.
I think that coin may be a fantasy (Have not consulted the catalogue yet). 2 clues give it away
1. All Gibraltar coinage must have the British sovereign on it.
2. Half Crown is not a valid denomination after 1971
This coin celebrates an Irish independence hero and thus was an opposite to the British crown and regime.
UPDATE - I am wrong, its listed and I am surprised, it does not say what mint it is from, but looks like a 3rd party mint and its NCLT like the Niue stuff - N#371552
It is how ever the only half crown from 2022 that does not have a portrait of QE2 or her royal cypher, here we only have the tower motif and the keys.
FURTHER UPDATE - Seems they are minted by a 3rd party mint called the Dublin Mint Office and its standard 3rd party mint tatt, with gold plated cupronickel versions and this coin is muck metal as well. But at least its relevant to Ireland (Not really Gibraltar where most people are of Maltese, Portuguese or Spanish/English descent, rather than Republican Irish).
Makes sense as I am sure the British would not be happy Gibraltar legalised coins issued bya 3rd party non official mint in Ireland that celebrate a man many British would consider a rebel and enemy to the British empire (I myself don't, in my opinion Michael Collins was a real hero). Its like the Chinese issuing coins of Mayo zedong in Papwa New Guinea and Grenadines of st. wallpaper stamp land).
Interesting take with which I agree from our numismatic viewpoint. I don't think the average Brit cares or even knows about that stuff though never mind know who Collins was and the ones that do are intelligent enough to not hold any grudges vice versa Irish or Englishman. Down the line alot of English people have connections to Ireland through friendships or family and ancestral myself included or only needs to know 3 people to be connected to an Irishman for example. Nothing colonial. I don't think Gibraltar will be being handed over to Spain in rage by our PM because the Dublin mint office decided to issue a coin in Gibraltars name honouring a figure that splits opinions even among the Irish themselves.
Probably true now - the Anglo/Irish rivalry is nearly forgotten - yet I would bet you that if you go into a working class household of the Protestant part of Belfast, you may hear a different story. Especially if there is Rangers bunting everywhere.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
I think that coin may be a fantasy (Have not consulted the catalogue yet). 2 clues give it away
1. All Gibraltar coinage must have the British sovereign on it.
2. Half Crown is not a valid denomination after 1971
This coin celebrates an Irish independence hero and thus was an opposite to the British crown and regime.
UPDATE - I am wrong, its listed and I am surprised, it does not say what mint it is from, but looks like a 3rd party mint and its NCLT like the Niue stuff - N#371552
It is how ever the only half crown from 2022 that does not have a portrait of QE2 or her royal cypher, here we only have the tower motif and the keys.
FURTHER UPDATE - Seems they are minted by a 3rd party mint called the Dublin Mint Office and its standard 3rd party mint tatt, with gold plated cupronickel versions and this coin is muck metal as well. But at least its relevant to Ireland (Not really Gibraltar where most people are of Maltese, Portuguese or Spanish/English descent, rather than Republican Irish).
Makes sense as I am sure the British would not be happy Gibraltar legalised coins issued bya 3rd party non official mint in Ireland that celebrate a man many British would consider a rebel and enemy to the British empire (I myself don't, in my opinion Michael Collins was a real hero). Its like the Chinese issuing coins of Mayo zedong in Papwa New Guinea and Grenadines of st. wallpaper stamp land).
Interesting take with which I agree from our numismatic viewpoint. I don't think the average Brit cares or even knows about that stuff though never mind know who Collins was and the ones that do are intelligent enough to not hold any grudges vice versa Irish or Englishman. Down the line alot of English people have connections to Ireland through friendships or family and ancestral myself included or only needs to know 3 people to be connected to an Irishman for example. Nothing colonial. I don't think Gibraltar will be being handed over to Spain in rage by our PM because the Dublin mint office decided to issue a coin in Gibraltars name honouring a figure that splits opinions even among the Irish themselves.
Probably true now - the Anglo/Irish rivalry is nearly forgotten - yet I would bet you that if you go into a working class household of the Protestant part of Belfast, you may hear a different story. Especially if there is Rangers bunting everywhere.
Oh yeah. Definitely. Belfast is a whole different story and exception and the north in general. My brother was in a rural part in the summer and at the only pub in the vicinity. He proceeded to give me a call whether it's okay to use the English notes in his wallet or just use his card as it might be seen as an insult. I told him all good, they're legal tender and widely accepted as he saw himself. He opted to use card in the end. He actually got Scottish notes back whilst there in change aswell as English and NI. Seems to be the only place where there's no hassle and sterling is sterling goes. I'm sure you know the hassle people have in England trying to use any sterling notes that aren't English.
So far October is going really well. I got the following coins:
1) 1994 China proof set
Despite that 20 000 of these sets were issued, it is very uncommon to see one. I suppose because of the population of China. Interestingly, the quality of proof strikes in the 90's was worse than in the 80's. Some coins look as or worse than BU strikes from other countries. (But still visibly proof strikes). That's specially true for the 1992 proof set, which had a notoriously bad quality.
2) 2007 Malta mint set
3) Bought an Iceland proof set in September, but it only arrived in October
4) 1976 Seychelles commemorative proof set
5) I was lucky and managed to get 3 Canadian sets from the 60's (1963, 2x1965) for under melt value after the recent increase in silver price. Got two for July and one for August prices
One of the 1965 is going to my collection, and the rest to my stack.
For my part, got this very early banknote-cheque thing. I believe they're properly called a running note or a cash note.
As you can see, the blank note was made in 180- but not actually used until 1811 which is quite interesting.
Secondly, it actually has a redeemable date “one month after date”, and a bearer name “Mrs Sarah Powell” (I think). So somewhat closer to a modern future-dated cheque. Also being addressed to a woman seems highly unusual.
The note itself is for twenty pounds. Using the BoE inflation calculator. This was worth a smidge over £1,400 today!
On the reverse, it seems we have Sarah's own signature & Someone Biggs.
Genuinely excited by this one, look forward to a bit of seeing if I can possibly track down any further info on these people. Such high values would have to be gentry at least!
For my part, got this very early banknote-cheque thing. I believe they're properly called a running note or a cash note.
As you can see, the blank note was made in 180- but not actually used until 1811 which is quite interesting.
Secondly, it actually has a redeemable date “one month after date”, and a bearer name “Mrs Sarah Powell” (I think). So somewhat closer to a modern future-dated cheque. Also being addressed to a woman seems highly unusual.
The note itself is for twenty pounds. Using the BoE inflation calculator. This was worth a smidge over £1,400 today!
On the reverse, it seems we have Sarah's own signature & Someone Biggs.
Genuinely excited by this one, look forward to a bit of seeing if I can possibly track down any further info on these people. Such high values would have to be gentry at least!
Fascinating piece I think.
I love stuff with handwriting on it, it gives you a real glimpse into the past. I used to have a whole lot of used postcards from the early 1900s. I had one from my hometown of Dunedin that was boasting about what a modern city Dunedin was (Dunedin used to be the commercial capital of New Zealand due to the gold coming into the city from Central Otago during the gold rush in the 1870s) it was a picture of our old tram/cable car system, and the author proclaimed “You don't find things like THIS at home”. I was also fascinated by the fact the card had traveled from Dunedin to overseas, but had managed to find it's way back home again.
I love stuff with handwriting on it, it gives you a real glimpse into the past.
The majority of people (edit: where I live) are unfortunately no longer able to read handwriting in the cursive ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cursive ), or they have great difficulties reading in the cursive, not mentioning writing in the cursive. Many of the really old (vintage) postcards have a high density of letters written on them - as opposed to modern picture postcards, that are mostly not sent anymore due to digital text messaging.
As a curiosity, I might add, that I write in block letters myself ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_letters ), and even though I've gotten acclaim for my writing style, some of the young people working at the post (office) often asks me what certain specific letters are supposed to be (?!). Talking about feeling outdated.
My six-months leave of absence was crowned by a 4500 km road trip from Serbia, through Kosovo, Albania and southern Italy and Sicily.
Although numismatics were not among many interests on the road, I managed a short and fruitful visit to a small shop in Palermo. There I found one of the two last Italian coins still missed in my collection. The second one is way too expensive, my wife would probably divorce me if I bought it 🤣
For my part, got this very early banknote-cheque thing. I believe they're properly called a running note or a cash note.
As you can see, the blank note was made in 180- but not actually used until 1811 which is quite interesting.
Secondly, it actually has a redeemable date “one month after date”, and a bearer name “Mrs Sarah Powell” (I think). So somewhat closer to a modern future-dated cheque. Also being addressed to a woman seems highly unusual.
The note itself is for twenty pounds. Using the BoE inflation calculator. This was worth a smidge over £1,400 today!
On the reverse, it seems we have Sarah's own signature & Someone Biggs.
Genuinely excited by this one, look forward to a bit of seeing if I can possibly track down any further info on these people. Such high values would have to be gentry at least!
Fascinating piece I think.
Looks like Branson, Panson or Bronson Biggs. Interesting there are no long “s” (Which lingered in country/rural areas well into the 1800s), and there is no figure in numbers or the word “Promise”, which means this is more a credit note or IOU than actual bank note.
The X could be Sarah Powell's signature as illiterate left X's as their mark and many women even gentry were illiterate right up to the early 1900s as the 1870 compulosry education act was waved and phased in.
I would say she is likely upper peasantry or yeomanry rather than gentry, £20 could be the sale of land, a good wool clip or sale of meat beasts to a buyer. Yet even in the 1800s, a upper class woman could play and instrument, learn to speak French etc, but they could be illiterate still and some less enlightened males, did not want a clever wife, but more a dollybird who could converse but moved out of the way when needed.
I finally got an order I placed back in mid September, but busy with university stuff and family matters at the moment.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Received several, but not all the indian proof sets I’ve ordered over this year . There are still a dozen or so sitting in bombay waiting for me to pick them up
a second coin issued for S P mookherjee; the first one issued in 2001 to commemorate his 100th. its unfortunately a fad borne out of political expediency that lately we have multiple cpins struck for the same person. The quality of this particular coin or packing out of the Hyderabad mint is quite terrible
it’s interesting to note that the mint designates the side with the emblem and name of country as the “Obverse” even though that’s where the denomination is. I wonder what other countries do in this situation
some If you may notice that this coin and the previous one depict naked people. They are dedicated to Jain monks in which traditionally, they renounce most of their worldly possessions, including their clothes.
yet another religiously themed coin of a very local religious figure. Apparently, the the last few years, various trusts and organizations have been able to get coins minted provided they are ready to fork up The money to buy atleast 3000 pieces. I guess it’s good for the mint, but for regular coin collectors, these begin to lose their meaning
thus coin was announced way back in 2016 but only ended up becoming available for minting earlier this year. This happen to coincide with the time when the mints decided to stop issuing circulating commemorative coins like the Rs10 you see below. I can’t recall if there was some other controversy related to this coin that resulted in the delay as well
If you don't like them, why do you show them. I personally find them dull as dishwater and they do not have catchy designs and the subjects portrayed are hardly (cough) attractive looking people. And I know I am going to catch fire for that like this - such coins have almost no interest for anyone not Indian. Most of us have never heard of these people.
It is good, they seem to be issued in real silver though and clearly the level of production is high enough to promote interest amongst Indian numismatists. I myself am a fan of the Raj era coins, especially the silver rupees.
I have bought quite a lot lately, but holding off showing them as taking photos, uploading them and then compressing them and renaming the files takes ages. I may show a few a bit later, but currently have essays and things due.
Plus its just the usual Maundy coins, Morgan dollar and silver treasures I show. I have noticed people are bored with them and it could be candy to attract burglars. I have also felt my posts have got too boastful and show offy and want to give some new people the focus for a change.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
If you don't like them, why do you show them. I personally find them dull as dishwater and they do not have catchy designs and the subjects portrayed are hardly (cough) attractive looking people. And I know I am going to catch fire for that like this - such coins have almost no interest for anyone not Indian. Most of us have never heard of these people
….
Normal, decent people just keep moving if something doesnt appeal to them, especially on an online forum. Petty people on the other hand make these sorts of comments likely because they have nothing better to do.
Fortunately, your tastes are irrelevant and count for nothing. Commemorative themes are not based on peoples attractiveness, atleast not in serious countries. Moreover, the Indian mint has such a large market to cater to, they restrict sales to people who can produce proof of residence in India. This month, they even restricted to one coin per person. So it’s quite alright if one petty New Zealander from some backwater in that country has never heard of these people commemorated. As I mentioned before, I still have a dozen more to pick up from Bombay. But now I’m thinking I will also start posting the over 130+ older pieces i have to still catalogue. So our dear moneytame has much to look forward to in upcoming “Addition to your collection“ threads for many months to come . thanks Moneytame for the inspiration ! :)
I was going at the fact you said you were unhappy with these coins and designs. Other posts you complained about the cost of them.
Ashlobo said and I quote “a second coin issued for S P mookherjee; the first one issued in 2001 to commemorate his 100th. its unfortunately a fad borne out of political expediency that lately we have multiple cpins struck for the same person. The quality of this particular coin or packing out of the Hyderabad mint is quite terrible”
Quote what you said above.
Most people take my comments as a grain of salt. There is no hard and fast rule, saying I must like these coins, I am free to say I don't. I said I had never heard of these people and you interpreted that as racist. It seems so easy for anyone of non European descent to instantly gaslight and play the victim card. I mean if you said my coins of Queen Victoria and one of the bloated Hanoverian monarchs was ugly, a waste of money or colonialistic. I would hardly accuse you of racism or pettiness. You did not accuse me directly of racism - but you implied it.
It's better if I just don't respond.
PS - Thinking of starting my own thread to show future additions, so people who can't stand me, my coins, my opinions or the fact I am alive, can avoid it like the plague.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
I mean I don't show any coins I don't like or hate, unless its a thread that is something like “Show your ugliest coin”, “Show your most overpriced coin” “Show your most worn coin” etc. At most I might say a coin is badly cleaned or overpriced or for what it is, or describe damage in the case of me showing a damaged coin, usually as its really scarce.
But here are some coins I managed to do quickly, all are quite modest and from places that have diverse populations rather than me enforcing a racist white hegemony as some of our posters may accuse me of.
Ghana penny/halfpenny and successor coins Pesewas. these feature Nkrumah and later republic logo as Nkrumah was kindly asked to no longer provide his services in a democratic exchange of opposing views.
Bahamas set, updated designs on all but 15 cents, another country choosing a independent republic away from British influence.
Taiwan coin set, modern with the $10, 20 and 50 coins all showing latent features on them, nice coins and doing a good job resisting Chinese colonialism.
Greece 30 Drachma for wedding of the last King and a Princess of Denmark. This silver coin was 33% lighter than the 1963 centenary coin and the last hurrah for the Greek royal family. The Danish colonial interlopers were booted out for a more indigenous and politically correct management of the country.
Hopefully this presentation is woke enough for you all.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
I was going at the fact you said you were unhappy with these coins and designs. Other posts you complained about the cost of them.
Ashlobo said and I quote “a second coin issued for S P mookherjee; the first one issued in 2001 to commemorate his 100th. its unfortunately a fad borne out of political expediency that lately we have multiple cpins struck for the same person. The quality of this particular coin or packing out of the Hyderabad mint is quite terrible”
Quote what you said above.
Most people take my comments as a grain of salt. There is no hard and fast rule, saying I must like these coins, I am free to say I don't. I said I had never heard of these people and you interpreted that as racist. It seems so easy for anyone of non European descent to instantly gaslight and play the victim card. I mean if you said my coins of Queen Victoria and one of the bloated Hanoverian monarchs was ugly, a waste of money or colonialistic. I would hardly accuse you of racism or pettiness. You did not accuse me directly of racism - but you implied it.
To be honest, I would be happy if you showed your Indian moderns on a separate thread as I scroll fast when I see them, as the people are ugly and despite the silver metal, the coins look cheaply and badly designed like most Indian currency after 1947. But I also realise it is just one opinion out of billions and most people either like the coins you show or just don't care eitherway. But I am free to express my opinion, and your post was inviting comment from a large group of us who keep quiet and don't rock the boat as we know how soma sensitive people from the developing world get over anything. But its free speech now, I am not apologising for being successfful, having a point of view and being from a well off democratic country (If we are so bad and our countries so bad, why are so many people from your country migrating to them? - apologies if you are not in India, but in a country like say Canada or the UK).
Food for thought.
PS - Thinking of starting my own thread to show future additions, so people who can't stand me, my coins, my opinions or the fact I am alive, can avoid it like the plague.
it’s pathetic you have a habit of calling out the racist card perhaps because you have certain personal insecurities and this forum is your only outlet. I called you petty, just because your previous interactions, this one included, makes it obvious to everyone.
you’ve declared before that you would stop posting in these threads so that your lovely coins are not spoiled by posts by us lesser collectors. And you say it again here. Have some courage and follow through rather than ranting ad nauseum. This thread will survive without your input. And those who love to see your upgraded coins will be more than happy to cheer you in that thread.
The thread is “additions to your collection” not “additions to you collection of coins showing attractive people that I've heard about” I personally don't collect NCLT coins, but I wouldn't disparage people who do collect them simply because I don't like them.
Some people collect for completeness, if you collect like that, then you're going to get a few coins you're not happy with just to complete the set. Perhaps we should all stick to the age-old adage our mothers taught us “If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all”
The thread is “additions to your collection” not “additions to you collection of coins showing attractive people that I've heard about” I personally don't collect NCLT coins, but I wouldn't disparage people who do collect them simply because I don't like them.
Some people collect for completeness, if you collect like that, then you're going to get a few coins you're not happy with just to complete the set. Perhaps we should all stick to the age-old adage our mothers taught us “If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all”
You people are just so pie eyed, it does not matter what I say or do, you will find some way to whinge and complain.
Ashlobo - did you or did you not show some recent Indian coins and start bitching and moaning about them?
What response were you expecting “Oh no they are gorgeous really”.
I have no insecurity - because if I did, I would not be seeing racism and pettiness in everything.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
This is our shared hobby. Hobbies are supposed to be something that you enjoy doing, not turning up to discuss and share your collection only to have someone dump all over it.
Come on lads. This isn't the queue to the ladies. No need for all this. We all love coins here. Free discussion is free discussion I get that but all be respectable to eachother. We're all intelligent numismatists here that value the hobby,history and geography and everything else that comes along with the hobby. In day to day life we don't meet people that have our passion besides the odd lukewarm collector that keeps things they find in change. Be grateful we have eachother here to discuss the hobby. Be safe and well lads and enjoy collecting!.
It's literally the number 1 rule in the forum rules
1. Respect the members of the site by avoiding derogatory and upsetting messages, as well as non-constructive criticism. Be polite and courteous. Words like “hello” and “thank you” are highly welcome.
Well, this is one of the many times where someone or the other has to put him in his place. He’s close to getting a time out or a ban anyways from this forum. So it’s up to him whether he wants to keep exhibiting such poor etiquette.
I don't like an Indian coin, so thats banworthy? You didn't either, do you get banned too?
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
All of you guys show a lack of respect to this forum. You guys all only worry about the negative posts and never on the good posts who actually post a post which is related to the discussion. This is an embarrassment to the whole Numista Community.
My six-months leave of absence was crowned by a 4500 km road trip from Serbia, through Kosovo, Albania and southern Italy and Sicily.
Although numismatics were not among many interests on the road, I managed a short and fruitful visit to a small shop in Palermo. There I found one of the two last Italian coins still missed in my collection. The second one is way too expensive, my wife would probably divorce me if I bought it 🤣
Interesting itinerary - sounds like the adventures of Byron!
This area is high in my area of numismatic interest.
That is nice big Italian coin, I have never seen one for sale, but would definately grab it!
Do tell more about the ruin-your-marriage coin!
It so happens I have new coins from Serbia, Italy and Albania.
Also Switzerland and Newfoundland.
Jamais l'or n'a perdu la plus petite occasion de se montrer stupide. -Balzac
All of you guys show a lack of respect to this forum. You guys all only worry about the negative posts and never on the good posts who actually post a post which is related to the discussion. This is an embarrassment to the whole Numista Community.
I agree, every single one of these people who attack me for dare having an opinion, never, never ever praise any of the beautiful coins I show. Its always personal and negative - seems to be a theme of the hard left these days.
I really try to rise above it, but these wokies keep me deep in the mire.
Love the coins Mr Midnight, by the way.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
3 sets of Germany 2 Euro 2025 German Reunification. 5 coins each set,all 5 mintmarks. Completing my German collection of 2 euro commemoratives up to the current year. I source from the same ebay seller direct from Germany each year. A mark up of course but nothing ridiculous considering its modern coins with mintage of millions and i'm getting uncirculated coins with all mintmarks completed and reasonable postage. Been waiting to add these to my collection. Finally received today.
Scottish Pound notes from the 70s. Apparently the 1987 Royal Bank of Scotland £1 notes are still valid and are in circulation.
Ireland 1978 Pound note
Hong Kong Standard Chartered Bank 10 Dollars 1991
Isle of Man Pound note
Guernsey 4 Doubles 1874
Mongolia 15 Mongo 1970, unusual to encounter when searching bulk world coins.
Poland 2 Zlote commemoratives from 2005-11
Set of the current commemorative issued 12 sided 20 Peso coins from Mexico that I bought from a seller in Mexico.
Some lots of standard and commemorative Jersey, Isle of Man and Gibraltar coinage.
Hi to whoever is reading this. Did you know that TYPEWRITER (on a QWERTY keyboard) is the longest word you can type using only the letters on one row of the keyboard.
Set of the current commemorative issued 12 sided 20 Peso coins from Mexico that I bought from a seller in Mexico
i have some of the older 20pesos commems and would have definitely continued collecting these had i not stopped adding coins post 2020. All Very nice designs
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Looks like a punch mark on the Kaiser's helmet. Likely a chop mark done by a merchant to make sure it was real silver.
Mr Investor - could you please orientate your pictures horizontally in the editing process. It makes it easier for us to view without craning our heads sideways. Thank you. For $110, you got a very good deal, the Cyprus crown is very nice and German colonial silver is always good.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
It seems like someone was trying to make a hole on the coin, but failed two times and gave up. Or maybe its a chopmark?
A chopmark would be just one hole or a symbol , or multiple holes and symbols in different places over time. Perhaps the bigger indent is a symbol. Going by the position At the 12 o‘clock and given it’s a Re1 coin which is traditional, someone could have tried to convert it to a jewellery piece. Though the Hole Here is a bit low.
Thanks! Coins from Jersey, Guernsey, Gibraltar etc have significantly lower mintages than their UK counterparts so they are highly sought by mainland collectors.
In their respective territory they circulate alongside mainland coinage but are not legal tender outside of the territory however they do seldom themselves in circulation (mostly 1p-20ps).
Hi to whoever is reading this. Did you know that TYPEWRITER (on a QWERTY keyboard) is the longest word you can type using only the letters on one row of the keyboard.
Finally opening up and cataloguing my Indian proof collection and adding them slowly over the winter into Numista
there are two versions of the Rs10 rupee, the proof version of course has a B under the denomination, but the portrait of Gandhi has what looks like an overbite when you compare the upper and lower lip. The die of the Rs10 circulation coin apparently has no such overbite and I did not realise this until recently. So I will have to acquire a specimen of the circulated version too at some point
I’ve hemmed and hawed about taking out the coins from the plastic. But Ive decided I’ll leave them in there. I don’t want to destroy the packaging and the coins have not changed much since I acquired them some 20yrs ago anyways
Thanks! Coins from Jersey, Guernsey, Gibraltar etc have significantly lower mintages than their UK counterparts so they are highly sought by mainland collectors.
In their respective territory they circulate alongside mainland coinage but are not legal tender outside of the territory however they do seldom themselves in circulation (mostly 1p-20ps).
Did you find any territory coin in change this year mate? I got a Jersey 2 pence in April and another Jersey 2 pence from an arcade machine. Nothing else since. Usually find an Isle of Man coin in the summer but nothing else as of this year territory wise.
Did you find any territory coin in change this year mate? I got a Jersey 2 pence in April and another Jersey 2 pence from an arcade machine. Nothing else since. Usually find an Isle of Man coin in the summer but nothing else as of this year territory wise.
Unfortunately no. It could be due to that I live in a fairly remote area in East Midlands and the only times I found territory coins in the wild was in large cities apart from a Penny in a bag of pennies I searched through like 3ish years ago. Last year I did get an Isle of Man 20p in change from a petrol station and the year before that a Jersey 5p from an event I did at college.
Hi to whoever is reading this. Did you know that TYPEWRITER (on a QWERTY keyboard) is the longest word you can type using only the letters on one row of the keyboard.
Did you find any territory coin in change this year mate? I got a Jersey 2 pence in April and another Jersey 2 pence from an arcade machine. Nothing else since. Usually find an Isle of Man coin in the summer but nothing else as of this year territory wise.
Unfortunately no. It could be due to that I live in a fairly remote area in East Midlands and the only times I found territory coins in the wild was in large cities apart from a Penny in a bag of pennies I searched through like 3ish years ago. Last year I did get an Isle of Man 20p in change from a petrol station and the year before that a Jersey 5p from an event I did at college.
Used to be a lot more common finding territory coins didn't it at one time. I guess alot of the public hold on to anything unusual they find thesedays too with all the media hype around coins but before it would be seen as dodgy coins you'd want to palm off onto someone else. Did get my first fake 2 pound of the year recently on a market. Did inform the vendor and he weighed it,told him the details to look out for etc,he offered to change it but I kept hold of it for the collection. I remember at one time you could be given £4 change in two 2 pound coins and both would be commemoratives , rarely happens now. My last territory 50p find was 5 years ago also from a petrol station. A 1997 Guernsey.
My highlights from this weekend's Vegas Coin show:
Central American Republic - 1829 - 8 Real
Wurtemberg Oels - 1674 - 3 Kreuzers
Super nice Central American piece of 8 ! I collect Nicaragua coins that feature that sunrise behind the five mountains, would love to find a silver like that
Jamais l'or n'a perdu la plus petite occasion de se montrer stupide. -Balzac
It's an interesting area of collecting to get into. I think it was @ALLRED1950 who used to keep a “dead coins” foldet. A collection of coins that are damaged and worn almost beyond identification.
There seems to be a move in many collection hobbies to try and get the worse examples of the items collected. In Pokémon cards they have people who collect lowball grades. Stabbed cards with the lowest grade grade the company has graded.
Maybe a lesson for us in life, no matter how ugly and damaged you are, there's someone out there that loves you.
Well, I started the month with a Fijian Shilling, and halfway through the month I have another one.
These coins have an interesting background. The regular Fijian coins were minted in London and shipped across from there. The silver coins were minted in the normal 50% silver that most of the smaller British colonies coins were minted. During 1942 and 1943, due to the war it was felt that it was too risky to try transport shipments of silver coins through the war zone. So instead, for those two years the coins were minted at the San Francisco mint and shipped across the Pacific. Because of that, not only do the coins for those two years bear the San Francisco “S” mintmark, but they are also minted in the USA's 90% silver standard that their coins were minted.
As always, lots of gorgeous pieces. Not received mine yet but I do have a few pieces on order which I'm looking forward to sharing. Definitely a couple of oddities. 😁
Worldwide Collection - £1 notes are technically still spendable though I've never seen them in use & I live about an hour south of the border. To be honest, the hassle of explaining they're real is probably so much harder than just using the £1 coin.
Sometimes getting places to accept Scottish £5/£10/£20 in England can be a real hassle (and they can refuse!). And Northern Irish notes, don't even try!
IIRC the last dated £1 notes in Scotland were dated 2001 released by Royal Bank of Scotland. So no new batches have been produced in nearly 25 years. I would put them down as being “functionally extinct”.
Also, on both your notes, you'll see barcodes - these were to help the banks count and exchange notes. For example, you could pay in Clydesdale notes at Bank of Scotland, but Bank of Scotland would only issue it's own (or Bank of England) notes out to customers. So it would want to exchange the Clydesdale ones back to Clydesdale Bank.
Because of the large increase in circulation notes in the late 60s, the banks wanted to speed up the process & these magnetic ink sorting codes were the solution from 1967 to 1983, whereby the sorting process was superceded using ultra-violet ink instead.
In so far as I am aware, Scotland is the only nation to ever utilise barcodes on their banknotes for any purpose.
And I love the Fiji shilling there, interesting bit of history with it.
Quite like the 1-Lek coins. A very dramatic pose, interesting.
Always love to see the British-ish represented. I do think Isle of Man is becoming the Niue of the UK family though… 😬
Still, at least many designs do actually make it into circulation proper. But I'm sure a lot of them they put like 10 into circulation & sell the rest as BUNC sets. 😛
But nice to see them all the same 😁
Love some of the Gibraltar designs.
That Central American Real is just stunning. I don't collect foreign coins as a rule, but that's beautiful enough to be in my “I just liked it” collection. 😲 Simply gorgeous.
For my part, here's another banker's draft, much like the one from earlier in the month.
This beauty is from Newcastle which is very local to me, so delighted to have it.
With a watermark, a bit faint in this photo:
You should be able to see a squiggly internal border and I can make out the word “Bank” at the top, “Newcastle” in the middle, and “Upon Tyne” at the bottom.
And don't let your eyes deceive you, it really is for £280 in 1808! The BoE inflation calculator reckons that's over £21,500 in today's money. Serious bit of cash now.
I couldn't find an exact figure, but an average labourer in 1800 might earn £10-£15 a year. So we're talking probably 15-30 YEARS of pay here.
Still trying to decifer the text so far:
Forty-five days after date pay ??? Walker of Seaham or ???, two hundred eighty pounds----
Value received as advised
(Lots of signatures)
To Messrs Bolderos Lushington
Bankers London
On the reverse, a bunch more signatures. Only name I can make out is John.
Could take a while 😬
If the seller is correct, this bank was eventually absorbed by Lloyds.
=====
Also my change from the shop included a Jemima Puddleduck 50p, been missing that one for ages! Only need a circulation Kew Gardens & Charles III Salmon to complete the 50p set now. 😁
… he is called Boldero (could be a mistake). If it's the same Lushington, he married the daughter of John Boldero. But he died in 1807, so maybe the name stuck because of the daughter or he had a son with the same name who took over the partnership.
UNLESS: Boldero's stands for Bolderos, i.e. two or more Boldero partners (e.g. father and son). Maybe then they used the apostrophe to make clear that the name is Boldero, not Bolderos?? The name doesn't sound anything English, and let me guess… it's a tiny bit less common than “Jones” or “Simpson”… 😁
I love that note thing - Long S a mania! Newcastle is spelled Newcaftle! and Mefs - They were always slower in the provincial centres to get up to the play with text trends. This is definitely Georgian rather than Victorian. A good example was back in 1999 I bought an old supplement to a Illustrated London news from 1851 and it had some images of things from the Great Exhibition from the greatest machine wonders to a illustrated “fortune wheel” drawn by some old crone in Wales and this was littered with Long s's and even words like “Ye” and “Publick”. My guess is this woman had not seen a book printed after 1720.
Some of my Fiji war time coins for people.
Entirely true the coins were 90% silver instead of the usual 50%, yet the numbers minted in 1942/43 were the highest of all the Fijian series before the Cupronickel era and are quite easy to find. They make a perfect “stacking coin”
The designs are a perfect example of Art Deco simplicity from 1933/34 by Percy Metcalfe and Kruger Grey (He did the Florin) and the colonial crowned portrait of the king was also Percy Metcalfe.
The Americans also made the pennies and halfpence in brass, as nickel was needed for the war effort and again, these coins saw jumbo mintages of 1 million each coin per year, compared to the usual 144k or 288k per year (Numbers went that high again in the 1960s). I have to say finding a nice shiny penny of halfpenny from 1942/43 is harder than other dates.
In 1945 the coins went back to cupro nickel for pennies and halfpence, and a 50% silver florin was issued that year. After that year the coins all went to muck metal, although no coins above 3d came out until 1953 and 1957 for Florins and Shillings!
It still was not enough due to Japanese ships and Nazi U boats (Unterseekraft) rolling around and even paper money was issued.
Fiji was covering all its bases in WW2!
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Two George V 1920 shillings in the post today. Noticed the price increasing in last few years for predecimal silver so thought i'd fill in some gaps. Worn but £3 each for a 105 year old .500 silver coin can't complain. This more “modern” stuff will eventually demand premium like Victorian silver coinage if trends continue i'd say.
Yes, the Fijian coins are a bit of a mish-mash with the changing of metals. I used to have the complete pre-decimal set when I was collecting several years ago. But I sold up my whole collection and now I'm having to start over. People are asking ridiculous prices for them on Trademe, (like this plonker asking $110 for a coin with a book value of a couple of dollars https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/antiques-collectables/coins/pacific-islands/listing/5582367517 )so getting the complete set is going to take some time and patience.
Last time we were over there they still had $2 notes, which is a novelty to me, because we haven't had paper $1 and $2 notes since the 1980s. I changed $100 into $2 notes so I could walk around with a big stack of cash and feel like I was rich.
Northern Ireland £10 note, paid £1.89 over face for it.
Hi to whoever is reading this. Did you know that TYPEWRITER (on a QWERTY keyboard) is the longest word you can type using only the letters on one row of the keyboard.
The Canada Post strike has largely failed to move things, so the Union changed their approach and are now relying on rotating strikes, returning to business as usual but targetting a few places at any time where they remain on strike. This means that I should finally receive a few packages, and I actually just received this half set:
It's not something I normally collect but I put a small bid and was surprised to win. It's a strange way to cut a set. The more valuable coins —the $5 and $10— were removed but also the 1 and 5 cents. I suppose the high denominations were sold separately in the square cuts (several of those are on eBay) or sent to a TPG.
Worldwide Collection - £1 notes are technically still spendable though I've never seen them in use & I live about an hour south of the border. To be honest, the hassle of explaining they're real is probably so much harder than just using the £1 coin.
Sometimes getting places to accept Scottish £5/£10/£20 in England can be a real hassle (and they can refuse!). And Northern Irish notes, don't even try!
IIRC the last dated £1 notes in Scotland were dated 2001 released by Royal Bank of Scotland. So no new batches have been produced in nearly 25 years. I would put them down as being “functionally extinct”.
Also, on both your notes, you'll see barcodes - these were to help the banks count and exchange notes. For example, you could pay in Clydesdale notes at Bank of Scotland, but Bank of Scotland would only issue it's own (or Bank of England) notes out to customers. So it would want to exchange the Clydesdale ones back to Clydesdale Bank.
Because of the large increase in circulation notes in the late 60s, the banks wanted to speed up the process & these magnetic ink sorting codes were the solution from 1967 to 1983, whereby the sorting process was superceded using ultra-violet ink instead.
In so far as I am aware, Scotland is the only nation to ever utilise barcodes on their banknotes for any purpose.
Neat bit of trivia for you. 😁
Good to know. 👍
Hi to whoever is reading this. Did you know that TYPEWRITER (on a QWERTY keyboard) is the longest word you can type using only the letters on one row of the keyboard.
new issues for Gibraltar. Obviosuly , i would have wanted these anyway, but it seem a bit more cool Theyre honouring George Stephenson‘s train thus year when I’ve just moved to Gib from less than 5 miles away from his works Where said train was built.
these 50p’s do not have the Kings head rather the royak coat of arms including the Castle & Key.
Former British colonial maestro collector. Also former ref of Gibraltar & many other former colonies.
Yes, the Fijian coins are a bit of a mish-mash with the changing of metals. I used to have the complete pre-decimal set when I was collecting several years ago. But I sold up my whole collection and now I'm having to start over. People are asking ridiculous prices for them on Trademe, (like this plonker asking $110 for a coin with a book value of a couple of dollars https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/antiques-collectables/coins/pacific-islands/listing/5582367517 )so getting the complete set is going to take some time and patience.
Last time we were over there they still had $2 notes, which is a novelty to me, because we haven't had paper $1 and $2 notes since the 1980s. I changed $100 into $2 notes so I could walk around with a big stack of cash and feel like I was rich.
That seller is Peter Eccles, surprised he would be that greedy. Neil, send me a list of what you need by message and I could get you most of the muck metal dates and some of the silver a lot cheaper. I am not 100% certain I have a spare 1953 6d, but if I did, I would charge you like 50c and postage for a used VFish one (Assuming you live in New Zealand of course). I am having an Eccles break myself after his brother sent an order I bought by standard postage and it got sent back to him after 3 weeks and the order took almost a month - they were very blase about it (Everyone else - NZ has an EXTREMELY limited dealing market and we have the same dealers from 1975 still going in some cases).
There is one guy selling like the 1937 Florin for about $300 or some absurd amount, I think unlike NZ, most Fiji is cheap I have most of the silver in VF/EF and at most paid $40 for the better stuff like 1937, 1938, 1940 and 1941 dated coins. The 1934 - 1936 is usually cheap as they issued a lot of it.
Camerinvs - I have a 1969 uncirculated Jamaica set, which is similar to yours, except they did not have a 50 cent coin (It was invented in the 1970s) and a 1978 Franklin Mint proof set, which had a gorgeous 92.5% silver $5 and $10.
In 1978 the cent was multi sided aluminium and the coins to $1 were muck metal, the $5 and $10 could also be bought muck metal, but these ones are sterling silver and the $10 weighs like 55 grams and is 48mm in size, its crazy.
The 1c and 5c would look like this.
I am not sure if they had changed the cent to aluminium by 1976 though, in 1969 with a strong dollar, the cent was bronze.
PS - In the process of buying one of my biggest and rarest ever items - a proof set I don't have.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Since my previous post I got few more coins for my collection.
1. 1988 Japanese proof set
Beautiful coins! I already had a 1988 uncirculated set before, which now goes to my swap list. But proof issues look much more beautiful. Now I just have to get 4 more proof sets to have all types of Japanese circulating coins in proof.
2. Vatican Holy Year set
Got this set for a little less than melt. Really like it, specially the 500 lire coin.
I do not generally collect non-circulating coins, but Vatican is an exception. I really like many of those designs.
3. 1986 San Marino set (World Cup)
Bought this set for my silver stack, since it was priced below melt.
Both coins, specially 500 lire, have what appears to be scratches/hairlines. (Or die cleaning?)
1-2 pictures: 500 lire; 3 picture 1000 lire
The foil was in a bad shape, with multiple holes, however holes at 500 lire were just barely not big enough for it to be taken out. Also, the “scratches” appear to be only on the field, but not on the designs.
Could it be die cleaning? How common is it for San Marinese coins?
UK 1859 Victorian shilling received in the post today. My oldest shilling now in the collection.
Nice, I haven't actually got the young-head Victoria shilling yet. I have a George IV shilling and most of the other Victoria shillings, but I'm waiting for a decent price on the young head one to show up
UK 1859 Victorian shilling received in the post today. My oldest shilling now in the collection.
Love Victorian shillings, I have most dates of hers now. For Young heads, have 1838 - 1840, 42, 44, 46, 51, 53, 55 - 60, 64 -66, 68 and 1871 to 1887. I now have 143 dates of shilling from 1551 to 1970.
My own 1859 is decent EF, but ruined by being cleaned and polished, was miffed at dealer for not saying that.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
And this odd little coin from France that I just couldn't pass up.
Originally this piece was from the 16th century, known as a Douzain. In 1640 these were recalled and counter stamped with a Fleur-de-lis within a beaded oval which changed them from 12 deniers (Douzain) to 15 deniers (Quinzain). I acquired one of these years ago, as many were sent to the colonies and I consider it a Canadian Colonial Token. Then this specimen was overstruck in 1693 by Louis XIV, I'm guessing as a marketing ploy (?). Regardless, I find it interesting that a coin was repurposed twice.
A shame I can't verify the workshop as the 1640 counter stamp obscures this detail. Also, tough to find the original Douzain as our database has few clues with weight and diameter.
Hoping you enjoy.
It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure, that just ain't so. Mark Twain
It’s been absolute yonks since I’ve posted as well! I haven’t purchased too many new coins in recent months, but I was on that side of town today so I decided to have a quick look at the coin shop. It turns out owning an old, unreliable car uses up that spare ‘coin money’… anyway.
Australia 1954 Florin QEII ‘Royal Visit’
This is one of a few silver Australian and British coins I purchased today. I was quite happy with this one considering I got it for under melt. The obverse is toned, but the coin is in pretty decent condition, all things considered. There is a nice cartwheel on the reverse. These are pretty common as they were put aside as a collectable/keepsake by many at the time, and they are therefore relatively obtainable in high grades. This was Australia’s final pre-decimal commemorative.
Just a quick visit - thanks to those who replied about my old note thing, promise I'll get back to you soon.
In the meantime, I've doubled my collection of Scottish £100 notes from 2 to 4! My latest additions:
Obviously circulated but price was right. Absolutely delighted with them, especially the BoS tercentenary (top) one. I love that series in general, now just need the £50 to complete.
Might press them to try & tease out some of the creases. Probably not though.
And this odd little coin from France that I just couldn't pass up.
Originally this piece was from the 16th century, known as a Douzain. In 1640 these were recalled and counter stamped with a Fleur-de-lis within a beaded oval which changed them from 12 deniers (Douzain) to 15 deniers (Quinzain). I acquired one of these years ago, as many were sent to the colonies and I consider it a Canadian Colonial Token. Then this specimen was overstruck in 1693 by Louis XIV, I'm guessing as a marketing ploy (?). Regardless, I find it interesting that a coin was repurposed twice.
A shame I can't verify the workshop as the 1640 counter stamp obscures this detail. Also, tough to find the original Douzain as our database has few clues with weight and diameter.
Hoping you enjoy.
Very nice pieces Peter, and hope you’ve been keeping well !
I just got my hands on this 25 kopeck from 1896 with a beautiful yellow tone! I also got a czechoslovak 100 korun from 1949 and a 50 pfennig 1920 from bonn earlier this month!
UK 1859 Victorian shilling received in the post today. My oldest shilling now in the collection.
Love Victorian shillings, I have most dates of hers now. For Young heads, have 1838 - 1840, 42, 44, 46, 51, 53, 55 - 60, 64 -66, 68 and 1871 to 1887. I now have 143 dates of shilling from 1551 to 1970.
My own 1859 is decent EF, but ruined by being cleaned and polished, was miffed at dealer for not saying that.
Yours is still a great piece despite the cleaning. I bought mine shown in the pic as it was actually cheaper than modern years that were worn. Been looking on my old Ebay purchases and it seems I went on a predecimal silver spree around 2 years back which I am glad I did now when looking at prices.
I just got my hands on this 25 kopeck from 1896 with a beautiful yellow tone! I also got a czechoslovak 100 korun from 1949 and a 50 pfennig 1920 from bonn earlier this month!
Ive never seen a coin with Stalin before; very nice. The notgeld from Bonn is a nice piece too
I just got my hands on this 25 kopeck from 1896 with a beautiful yellow tone! I also got a czechoslovak 100 korun from 1949 and a 50 pfennig 1920 from bonn earlier this month!
Ive never seen a coin with Stalin before; very nice. The notgeld from Bonn is a nice piece too
Nor I. And now we know Stalin's birthday.
I like the Beethoven portrait very much. The 1920s notgeld is often about art and artists.
Jamais l'or n'a perdu la plus petite occasion de se montrer stupide. -Balzac
Today's post revealed the 1859 Victorian Gothic Florin. Worn but still a nice piece for my collection that I am happy with.
That's nice I don't have an 1859 - but I love those Gothic Florins.
Marc16 - I love your Polipoltnik - great design and very thick coins they were. I have a Poltina and Rouble of the same type.
Your coin is in really great condition too - The Stalin coin is very interesting for his 70th birthday (It's suspected Stalin shaved a year off his real age) - my guess is the Czechs were forced to issue that coin - their commitment to communism was more forced than wanted by them.
IM94 - Like your florin - I agree them and the 1951 Federation coin are easy to find EF/AU/bare UNC, but nearly impossible Choice Uncirculated or better. I also see a lot in VG and Fine condition, so some people were spending them.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
picked up an, imho, eclectic mix of coins today . Start with the smaller coins
#1 my second coin from Danzig. Eventually will look to have the full set. But this coin came at a very low price, along with reasonable to low prices for the rest of them.
#2 I have a couple coins from Sarawak, but it’s so obscure, I will never say no to more of them
#3 a nice old Victorian coin from Mauritius with a solid strike.
#4 British Ionian Islands. This is the first of its kind in my collection; si I guess it’s a new issuer for me
