Simonz

Gillick Date Run 1957-1968

And another Vic today, 1 sov jubilee head to complete the set, but which variety?
Intriguing and complex story behind these https://issuu.com/jammdesign/docs/jubilee_brochure
I'm thinking DISH M8, Marsh 131E, Spink 3867B? Melbourne, second legend? What do you think?
Purchased from Trademe.co.nz, I asked for $50 off and he said yes, free shipping, close to spot, happy with that.

Old Gold finally arrived today.

So I knocked together a quick coin photo rig with inspiration from https://www.chards.co.uk/blog/coin-photography-kit-taking-photos-the-chards-way/1046
3 sides of black painted mdf, 2 bits of clear acrylic and a lens hood as a baffle. Don't need lights, just position with open side facing a window. Gives good consistent results with various coin finishes, which is what I was after. Works well with hand held phone, stunning detail from Sony A7RIV on tripod though! Excuse the crappy coin!

Great idea, wouldn't be hard to add another choice on the submission form, like the cross grading options? Would give a bit of extra profit for graders saving on slabs?

Great idea, wouldn't be hard to add another choice on the submission form, like the cross grading options? Would give a bit of extra profit for graders saving on slabs?

Old Gold finally arrived today.

Old Gold finally arrived today.

Old Gold finally arrived today.

Old Gold finally arrived today.

I had a friend of the family buy from similar firms and a few of the other so called mints. She found out I had been buying sovereigns and thought it was a good Idea. OMG. She got herself in a hell of a mess. The problems she had with the different companies and customer service left a lot to be desired, but when you look at the prices she paid. It made my eyes water. They can afford to give cash back deals because the mark up is that high.
She signed up to one of the mail order mints to buy a sovereign coin collection. I think it was something along the lines of The great war sovereign coin collection. Not sure. Anyway, it was a monthly payment over a period of time and as you went along they sent out a coin. They weren't what we would call genuine or real sovereigns, they were ones with a design related to the war on the reverse, same weight as sovereigns. Coins I think were half, full, double, quintuple. She ended up paying about 3 to 4 times the price of a genuine sovereign and she had problems with the delivery of the double. It was at this point she asked if I would help. It turned out that she had got sucked into their high pressure sales system. Every time there was a problem she tried to call them to get it resolved but they would end up selling her something else. 
I wish I could remember the name of the company, There was a few of them and its quite a while ago now, but my point is be careful. Some times the only reason cash back deals can be offered is because they are greatly over priced to start with. Then you find they are that set up for the sales side the customer service is either nil or leaves a lot to be desired.
For those interested I managed to get her off the mail drops and stop the sales phone calls. Eventually managed to get the war coin collection company to accept the return and get a refund for the war coin collection but all the other over priced things she had bought she had to keep. 
I realise The Royal Mint might not be that bad but from the experiences I've heard of, There's quite a few similarities. Do your research.

I would have thought it might even help speed up the slabbing process for them and improve the lead times.

Old Gold finally arrived today.

Old Gold finally arrived today.

Hi,
I have recently seen a few people cracking coins out of NGC/PCGS cases due to a disappointing grading. As someone that's never sent a coin off for grading, I would have thought that they'd let you know the grading before asking if you wish to proceed with entombment. So my question is; do you get the choice to say, "nah, just send it back as is please" or do they encase the coin regardless as it's part of the service?
If they do just proceed, do you think it'd make sense for them to ask prior to doing so? The only reason I can think of just doing it is to document every submission and build a library of all coins - good and bad, and perhaps it's a valid reason if that's the case. It could also be viewed as just cluttering their database if those coins most likely get removed anyhow?
I don't really have a strong opinion either way but I'm leaning towards the idea that I'd like to be asked. Any further info/insights/viewpoints welcome! 
 

Old Gold finally arrived today.

5ft solid sculpture of brittania in a local antique shop
 

Old Gold finally arrived today.

Old Gold finally arrived today.

Old Gold finally arrived today.

Old Gold finally arrived today.

1866 VIC OZ SOV – Arrived today from Stacks Bowers after 34 days in transit! Filling out my collection of Victoria heads, like this one because it actually says what it is 'One Sovereign' is it the only one?
Do I de-slab it? 606 in higher grade, 378 lower, across PCGS and NGC, she's looking for an excuse to break free! What do you think?

And another Vic today, 1 sov jubilee head to complete the set, but which variety?
Intriguing and complex story behind these https://issuu.com/jammdesign/docs/jubilee_brochure
I'm thinking DISH M8, Marsh 131E, Spink 3867B? Melbourne, second legend? What do you think?
Purchased from Trademe.co.nz, I asked for $50 off and he said yes, free shipping, close to spot, happy with that.

Merry Christmas @DrDave and every last member on TSF 🎺 

I hope everyone has an amazing Christmas. It’s been fun getting to know all of you X