OldNick

I have a big interest in WW1 history.
It’s a long story that I’ll share and post here but as concise as I can. But my family history in WW1 would make a great film. A sad one but a good film.
It will be good to discuss the medals and the stories behind the WW1 medals that we’ve bought here on the forum.
To keep a long story concise, ish, I knew about my grandads uncle’s from a young age. They were known, to me at least as the O’nions brothers. Their medals were sold in the 1980’s.
So anyway, on a random Sunday night in Sept 2012 I researched them online.
It was almost an itch I had to scratch, the seed was sown from a young age. My grandad had talked a lot about his uncles and I had to know more about this branch of my family. My grandad died age 91 in early 2009 but perhaps he felt a duty to ‘keep them alive’ which in a way I suppose he has done. I’ve told my niece about them and she talked about them in school on the anniversary of the centenary of the end of WW1 in 2018.
I always wondered who were the O’nions brothers (pronounced oh’ nions, possibly onions 🤔) that my grandad kept talking about? So that Sunday night, post roast dinner I sat down and thought, I’ve never googled them, so I did and lo and behold I found their medals for sale, not just a single medal but all three brothers and their fathers medals.
I contacted the dealer and I met him at a military fair in Stockport. He told me he only listed them to his website that Sunday evening and thought he’d struggle to sell such a large family group. Now I’m not one to believe in spooky, maybe fate but something told me that evening to look online and I found them all.
The medals of John O’nions (my g-g grand father) his sons Jack O’nions, Arthur O’nions and Edward O’nions.
Once lockdown is over and we get back to some normality as a world I’m going to visit France and Jonchery-sur-Vesle cemetery. So I can pay my respects to my g-g uncle CSM Arthur Onions DCM 9880 South Lancs Regiment who enlisted on 14th August 1914 at the outbreak of war. He almost made it until he was killed on 31 May 1918. I’ll also go to see Edward O’nions grave who died in 1922 and is now buried in Douglas I.O.M. he died from his wounds sustained in WW1. 
As for Jack, who served in the Army Veterinary Corps and who was the only one of the brothers to survive WW1, he later became a horse stunt rider in 1920’s silent films in USA. He moved back to Kentucky and rode under the name of Albert Steadman and Jacky English. He first emigrated in 1909 aged just 20, he sailed from Liverpool and arrived into New York harbour just three years before the Titanic never did. After WW1 he’s a total mystery. He disappears after the war and I can find very little about him.
I could tell you much more about these brothers but, I tried and I didn’t keep it very concise did I. 😬
Anyway, it would be great to see and follow and research the medals bought from @ilovesilverireallydo

Just tiddlers again for me, 2 more gold 1/10’s I’ve been waiting patiently for from @BleyerBullion and Melissa been keeping me updated.
Last but one sovereign finally added to my sovereign date runs. Just a pair of 2007’s now if anyone has any willing to offload.

Three, 2 full and 1 half which completes two 'sets'
 

Bought this 1/4oz just as the UK went into its first full lockdown picked up for a fraction over the spot price of a sovereign at the time 😀

This stunning 1989 half sovereign courtesy of @richatthecroft

After 3 months of waiting I finally received my 1oz and 5oz Libertads from a European dealer. The only consolation is it seems to have arrived without any addition of VAT unless I'm counting my chickens... 🐓 🐓 🐓
 

My first sovereigns
 

New arrival to the PGM La Familia 🤩 (Only 500 made to date). 

Something completely different for me today. Many thanks @StBeesSilver. Will look great on my desk.

I feel extremely fortunate to have been Graced the opportunity to acquire this wonderful and iconic Sovereign.  
Thank you @SilverMike, @Elements & @Roy for the advice, help and support in making the investment.  


 

Probably completely irrational purchase but cannot help liking Dennison sovereign holders. I've got two in plated gold, and today bought a sterling one, paid approx. GBP47.
 

Been over a month since any silver has crossed my gypsy palms due to the increased prices but I couldn’t hold out any longer!
Nothing special but boy did it feel good to scratch that itch!!

My first 1 once Gold Britannia  and it's a beauty. It's joining my 1 once Panda 2021

China 1993 Two Peacocks 1/10 🦚🦚

Thanks to @Chrispringle85and @Connorfor some cool bits. Just 4 libs to go and the date run is complete 😀
And a couple sneaky usa art bars 

Two Una and the Lion bars from Royal Mint
I do like these!!!

 

My random sovereign arrived today and it’s ironic that it was a 1914 as I have a big interest in WW1.
Now, who’s got a 1915, 1916, 1917 and a 1918 to sell. I can see another date run coming on.... 😬
It’s a bit battered but I wonder who handed this into the bank as the last circulated sovereigns were collected for the new pound notes.

A "lucky dip" sovereign from ATS and a couple of mini-Krugers from @Gypsy

Some (Royal) Minted bar loveliness this week:
 

The 1958 proof set arrived. Some lovely toning on a few of the coins. Both sets were produced by the royal mint and were using the pound and shilling denominations
 

Two Una and the Lion bars from Royal Mint
I do like these!!!

 

Recieved this beautiful Veinte Pesos from the legend that is  @Jamesd.
The top man even chucked in a little silver lib as a present.
Thanks again mate love the coins 😍

Just got these two bad boys back from grading 🤩
 

😊

Modern replicas just don't compare!
1817 Proof Sovereign PR63+ UC 🔥