Piggybank

I think we gold bugs often overlook a very important social point. I can only speak for the UK here by the way.
But I don't think most people think of gold as money. People know gold has value but it's generally viewed as simply jewellery, and a couple of old coins etc. I suspect many people are quite happy to liquidate it for what they consider 'real money' (fiat currency - ironically).
Bitcoin does something else, kind of like stocks/shares or a bank account of sorts. I guess people think of it as an investment vehicle, a quick shot to turn a profit, kind of like gambling/playing the lottery, money in the bank. I just think as a model it fits into what people expect of money in the modern world.
Perhaps the Keynesians have just been very successful at removing gold from its recognised role as real money, in the eyes of the majority of the population. They've clearly failed with us of course, but what percentage of the population think like we do, or can see gold for what it truly is?
This is of course is a cultural thing. Go to India and the situation is very, very different of course. Gold is and always has been valued.

Not bought silver in a while. So decided to buy a few bits on TSF. 
thanks to @Jamesd 
2021 Perth mint dragon bar and 
2020 pcgs libertad 1oz coin. 
truly stunning coins. 

Thanks @ilovesilverireallydo really nice presentation and fantastic price for adding gold weight 👍

New add to my growing collection. Unfortunately, the roosters came from Europe and I had to pay bloody VAT for them. Hopefully will be able to reclaim the VAT back. Also, my first silver coins here which are so much bigger than their gold equivalent. 
 

Something a tad different for me.

Early Design 1oz Silver Libertads   I  received these from @Jamesd today and they're in quite decent nick.   I already have a complete up-to-date set of the slightly larger current design so I thought I'd add these.   I now need just 5 ag Tads, all from the 80s, If anybody has examples for sale please let me know.

Maundy Money Change of Portrait Type Set- well very nearly! 
All housed in their new home, encapsulated in Quadrum Capsules- if anyone has Maundy and wish to have a safe and secure method of storage/ display, these specially designed inners for Maundy can be bought here, for about a tenner for 10 inners & Quadrum capsules, delivered.
Completing the Set has been a bit of a labour of love.  It's almost complete but I still have to source the 1953 Maundy Set.  The 1953 Set is a difficult one to find, the mintage being just over 1000.  In the meantime I have substituted this Set with a 2000 Proof set bearing the Mary Gillick Portrait of Elizabeth II.  The Gillick Portrait has endured throughout Her Majesty's reign. 
The ten coin ‘Type Set’ in the photo’s below features the change of Monarch Portrait from 1817.  It wasn’t until 1820 that special sets of small silver coins were struck for the annual Maundy Ceremony in denominations of 1d, 2d, 3d and 4d.  These special sets of small Silver coins have been specially struck every year since 1820, and in 1822 an enduring standard of the coin was established in terms of the size and weight.  Maundy Money sits alongside the ubiquitous 200 plus year old Sovereign; as the only coinage that endures to the present day.  
The Obverse of Maundy coinage mirrors the Portrait of the circulating coinage of the day.  The reverse was initially designed by Jean Baptiste- Merlen in 1822, and has endured since, excepting a minor change to the Crown, instigated by the renowned Royal Mint Engraver, William Wyon in 1888.  In 1950, George VI vetoed a change back to the Original 1822 design, and so it endures with only the one change in 199 years.
The 1817 features the Pistrucci Portrait of George III.  Unlike the Maundy struck from 1822, the date is found on the Obverse.  
The 1822 was the first year for George IV.  Interestingly, the Royal Mint used the 2d Portrait punch on the 3d coin, which makes it look like an oddity from the remainder of the set.
The 1831 William IV and the 1838 Victoria was the first year Maundy for both of these Monarch's. 
The 1888 was the first year of Jubilee Head for Victoria- it is here you can find the one and only change to the Reverse of Maundy coinage in 199 years.  The change made by William Wyon, in terms of the design of the Crown- please compare with the earlier issues photographed below. 
The 1893 depicts Victoria's Veiled Head Portrait.  
The 1902 Edward VII, 1911 George V and the 1937 George VI Maundy photographed below are all Proof, and these year dates were issued in individual Sets for the Maundy Ceremony and also included in Specimen Proof Sets with other coin denominations.  These Specimen Sets were issued to commemorate each of the respective Monarchs Coronation. 
Missing is the 1953 Mary Gillick Portrait Set, but substituted handsomely with the 2000 Maundy Proof Set, struck to commemorate the Millennium. 
 
Enjoy! 😃
 

 

 

Not surprising at all, because the pound sterling was a "unit of account", and has been since Anglo-Saxon England, so for at least 1300 years.
This pre-dates the first gold sovereign (1489).
As far as I am aware, the guinea has never been a unit of account. 
Contrary to popular opinion, the guinea was not a 21 shilling coin. When it was first introduced, in 1663, it was a 20 shilling coin. Fluctuations is the gold:silver ratio, or the relative values of gold and silver, meant its value also fluctuated. At one time, a guinea was worth as much as 30 shillings. When guineas were discontinued, and replaced by gold sovereigns, from 1817, a guinea happened to be worth 21 shillings. As part of the "Great Recoinage", and the Coinage Act of 1816, old coins could be exchanged, for a limited period, and the rate for guineas was officially set at 21 shillings. This almost certainly explains why the concept of the guinea as being worth 21 shillings has arisen, and why the popular misconception has persisted until today, and probably will forever.

And my 3rd purchase this week which complements my earlier purchase nicely was one I’ve wanted for a while. Picked it up in the @CoinsOfTheRealmAuctions. Shout out to @Clockpuncher and @Elements for alerting me to its availability. Definitely my new favourite coin in my collection and quite possibly the best sovereign ever. I think its only right I get the 2SOV to keep them company no?

This stunning 1989 half sovereign courtesy of @richatthecroft

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.  


 

Many order from private dealers in canada but involves marking the parcel lower so for insurance purposes risk is on you.  Personally had 10 parcels delivered no problems worked out 23£ oz after post

This coin has now been withdrawn from the April Sovereign Rareties auction. Apologies if anyone was waiting for that auction to bid on this trial piece.
It will likely now be held for the foreseeable future whilst I figure out and gather more information. 

i'm sorry, i just saw another one...
 

So many good silver memes appearing - they appeal to my way of thinking, so i will collect some together.
Here's a Yellenstains silver meme to start.

The amount of forum members who have got at me and bloked me for suggesting they alter their buying habits at high prices.  Anyway the ones who have blocked me cannot read this message,
There is nothing wrong in finding the best price.  The more experienced members didn't get burn't.  I hope you didn't get burn't to much. 

My BYB collection just keeps getting better... 115oz and counting  Thank you, @BackyardBullion

Check out this amazing piece. First bullion Forge bar to find it way to the UK. Great guy to deal with and amazing all round service 

Here is the image:
 

The series one Lunar's are stunning - what do think if you had a set of "PROOF's" ? 😉
Here you go @Darr3nG - "DROOL AWAY! 😉👌😍
Some came with "pin badges" 
BTW - they are mine 😉