Vfox

Thanks, I never really left though... I've been lurking! Lol. I need to visit more often while signed in! Haha.

Hey hey! How ya been?

Saw my 1st one of these the other day, neat. Also, hi guys, long time no see! Lol.

Oh lots of random stuff. Lol. I'll have to remember to photograph some things tonight.

Aww it didn't sell, lol. My dad worked for a plastics company back in the 80's and they used these coins to encase in plastic as paperweights. Basically they were so junk even back then that a plastics factory bought a ton of them to mess around with. This is the same company that suspended cow crap in large plastic paperweights for fun. Lol

I bought a new PC after like 5 years of not having one so I should be around more often. I don't do forums on my phone, none of them run correctly, lol.

I'm with DP here, those are not legitimate. The draped bust is the easiest to identify as counterfeit but both certainly are.

We are each sending two notes, right?

If we do tracking or something at least it shouldn't be an issue for one package I'd imagine? Just reread the original thread, derp. Nevermind, haha. I don't think with the insurance and tracking that is required we will have much of an issue with just one. Have you ever come across problems doing this before?

I definitely agree with the "don't clean coins" mentality... But I will say that sometimes you can't avoid needing to. I have lots of WWII Era steel, zinc and aluminum coins that have rusted or corroded over the years. They are intrinsically worthless in that state and there isn't much in the way of solvents to clean aluminum or zinc oxides off coins. So... Out comes to jewelers brush. It's an ultra fine, oiled brass brush. It's so soft it feels like cotton. It's abrasive, and will definitely leave hairline, but it will remove the unstable surface of the coin and leave you with a reasonable looking piece. Never, and I repeat never do that with anything of value... Because that's how you remove value not just dirt. Mild solvents are the best... Olive oil, watered down soap, or more risky ones like watered down acetone or jewelers pickle.

I mean I've used lots of coin silver over the years, alloyed with fine silver to make sterling for jewelry. Melting is one thing though I guess, hammering and bending is another. At least mine had a purpose, lol.

Most coin protector sheets are the same. You'll need paper coin flips for these style sheets though. Otherwise you'll want to get a dansco album or something similar.

That being said, what would a tpg apply to this coin? I'm curious if they take into account the die deterioration or if they simply ignore those factors and slap a G-4 on it...

Thanks DF, that top one is apparently a Pysa from the 1880's, from Zanzibar as you said. Still can't figure out that second one though, eh, maybe eventually I'll figure it out. Thanks Art, these are really pretty in hand. Quite happy with them.

And lastly is a beautiful English Groat of Edward IV from 1461-1463.

Next up is a shilling of Charles I of Great Britain 1625-1649. This was probably a ground recovery piece.

Made a few purchases today. Probably won't be buying a whole lot for a little while but I'm pretty happy with these to hold me over for a bit, lol. First is a "hay" Groat from England. James I, 1603-1625, apparently one of the first kings to produce bust coinage in England.

It looks like a 2 reale I have. These are from the earlier 1700's mostly minted in Madrid Spain under king Phillip V. Not sure about the weight offhand though, I'll have to look that up at some point.

Yeah the 5 kopek is a very neat piece. I have a few of them now, one in decent condition, but I've always liked how they designed them.

If anyone knows anything about the next two I'd appreciate it!

Quite a few more coming.

Got a few awesome pieces from the $0.10 bin at my local coin shop yesterday.