westminstrel

@ChrisSilver - I have to say that you and the other mods are doing a terrific job moderating this forum and especially making it welcoming to new members. I recently joined another forum for stamps (as that is my other interest), and I got my first post deleted, and verbally abused over email by a moderator - because my post was deemed “gibberish”, and I was wasting their time asking for an explanation why. I apologised anyway but suggested they try to be more courteous in their communication, at which point I was called petulant and told to “sod off”. 🤦🏻‍♂️ As a moderator of a Tolkien forum, I get how demanding this job can be especially since one volunteers time and effort that is often overlooked, so I needed to say THANK YOU for making this forum a really pleasant place. Honestly it’s not common to find a community where there’s so much goodwill, and it flows from the founders and mods. 🙂

I did wonder if these were “change of mind” returns. I am a big Tolkien fan, and for some releases of illustrated editions, the publisher (Harper Collins) got the illustrator Alan Lee to do some small pencil sketches and sign some limited number of copies. To me these would be worth the money. If the RM had somehow got these coin designers to hand sketch stuff and sign them, I’d personally jump to get a copy. Having said that, it’s still early days. Your gamble may pay off in the long run. 🙂

I’m not sure if this is the right forum for this post, so mods, please move or delete as needed. My apologies in advance. 😅 So I happened to stumble on this 1951 gilded plaster medal the other week, and I purchased it as a curiosity. I’m not sure if it is gold - it is some sort of metal gilt over white plaster (like plaster of Paris?) which can be seen from behind as the gilding is only on the front. There is no design at the back; just the flat white base of the plaster. It is a rather large thing, about 8 cms in diameter, and quite heavy too. I couldn’t find much information about it, nor did the seller have any details, so I thought I might share it here and see if anyone knows anything. Whatever it turns out to be, it’s a nice little thing.

I was randomly browsing the RM site and noticed the two art prints by Timothy Noad and Gary Breeze seem to be back in stock. Just thought I’d share that info here in case anyone wanted to get one but missed out. https://www.royalmint.com/our-coins/events/the-95th-birthday-of-her-majesty-the-queen/

Thanks for sharing your pics @Stuntman. It’s made me want to start reading up on these and see if I can get a couple for myself.

@brithammered and @Stuntman - I’d love to see your hammered coins too. I don’t have any British hammered coins, and would like to, but I have no idea where to start.

You make some really great points and I loved your furniture analogy in what was overall a very insightful post.

It’s very possible. At the rate the world is going with the effects of climate change already wreaking havoc, warnings of worse pandemics to come, curbs on freedoms, movement of goods, etc., you wonder if the rich elites who purchase coins like these as investments are refraining from doing so as they don’t see these objects being worth as much in the future in the grand scheme of things. Of course, in a romantic sense, collectors like us would say these things are invaluable, priceless. Realistically though their true worth lies in how much people are willing to pay.

In all seriousness, that’s a beautiful coin and I’m surprised it didn’t sell given it is apparently the only one available to individual collectors.

Not with me right now. But I’ll stroll down to my local locker this weekend and see what I can find - I’m sure I remember chucking a couple rolls in there. The only cards I have are Christmas cards from Henry VII. Would you be interested in those?

I have a couple and would be willing to let one go at the right price. Make me an offer. 🤗

The only detail I recall is that there was no mintage specified. So either it is unlimited mintage or that must’ve been the “error” and they still need to decide what the mintage will be. I’m more curious about the two versions specified in the gazette above - the specs are different and also rather odd. 😐

That’s not cool! I wonder if your order didn’t go through because they mistakenly published the coin on the website.

In which case don’t buy it and suddenly you have funds for another coin. 😝

Do you recall any details of the coin?

Damn! I shouldn’t have dithered - I should’ve just bit the bullet and purchased it when it was £300. 😐

Yes I saw it too and was considering getting it for my parents’ anniversary. According to customer service, there was an error on the page and the coin will be listed again. I didn’t really see any details - so no idea what the error might be. I think it may have been £315 but I’m not 100% sure as I just skimmed past it once.

That’s great to know. 😀

Just saw this... wonder if it’s the gold and rose gold sixpence coins. https://m.thegazette.co.uk/notice/3749227

Okay here’s a weird thing I noticed... The RM is advertising the Queen’s 95th Birthday SotD Sovereign struck on April 21 (which is the day of HM’s birth). Link: https://www.royalmint.com/our-coins/events/the-95th-birthday-of-her-majesty-the-queen/the-95th-birthday-of-her-majesty-the-queen-celebration-sovereign/ However back in 2016, the 90th Birthday SotD Sovereign was stuck on June 11 which was the “official” celebration day (the second Saturday in June). Link: https://www.thecoinconnection.co.uk/product/2016-90th-birthday-hm-queen-celebration-sovereign-gold-bu-coin/ Feels quirky doesn’t it? 😀