CosmikDebris

Another two beautiful sovereigns  dropped through the letterbox this morning.
The 2017 Delhi sovereign, which is magnificent. I have promised to keep the source anonymous and will always do so. I do love the modern Delhi sovereigns because they are still using the original gold composition of "yellow" gold, not the rose gold the RM is usings these days. Much more attractive on the eye even when viewed through the tamperproof packaging.
The second is a 1931P picked up from a French company via MA Shops. Another off for grading sometime next week.

It's my birthday today! And I finally got my copy of the Marsh Sovereign Book! Going to have plenty of time to read it too as I have broken my jaw in three places and the whole lot is wired shut. Freak Bike accident. This forum is helping me stay sane. Thanks guys.

another sov to add to my ongoing collection courtesy of @Goldfinga

Received yesterday, a Solomon Islands $10 (1/2gm 24ct gold) commemorating the Queen's 95th birthday (size comparison with a GB 5p ! ).

Received this coin, again couldn’t resist adding this to the collection. Grade XF*
Anonymous. Circa 225-214 BC. AR Didrachm.  Laureate head of Janus; curved truncation / Jupiter, hurling thunderbolt and holding scepter, in galloping quadriga right driven by Victory
 

Hi
 
I think that this is a Sheffield plate oil chamberstick by Matthew Boulton c1830. Does this look correct

I've used them a fair bit and never had any problems other than delays in shipping which I think is down to them running too many auctions close together and not enough staff to process it all. Whenever I have contacted them they have always been quick to respond and courteous. My initial recommendation came from posters here on the forum, I've never read any Google reviews, I wouldn't put too much stock in them, just make judgments based on your own experience.

Among of the many interesting features I have seen on gold sovereigns are air bubbles. These undoubtedly exist on other coins, but I can't remember seeing them on other coins, probably because I examine a lot of sovereigns quite closely.
I commented on a recent post that a raised pimple on the obverse of an (1972?) shield sovereign may have been a tiny air bubble.
Here is an example we photographed a few days ago:

Although I see from the filename that it is a half sovereign, not a (full) sovereign. (I did say  I can't remember seeing them on other coins, but I am now worried about my short term memory, and I can't remember having Alzheimer's).
In the main obverse shot, the raised lump is very clear, although it is hard to see on the close up. With any such unusual feature, it is natural to immediately check the other side to see if there is any corresponding feature. In this case, there is not:

This is evidence that the coin was struck with the raised lump, and that it was not caused be any post production damage.
It could have been caused by some indentation on the obverse die, but it does not have the right appearance for that, so the only logical explanation is an air bubble.
Almost all metal casting is prone to porosity caused bu air or gas bubbles in the melt, which remain after solidification. These are likely to be spherical or ovoid at first, but when the cast ingot is subsequently rolled, many times, into a flat sheet or strip, the air bubble get squeezed so they become longer, wider, and flatter. Sometimes the bubble reaches the surface, in which case it is likely to show as a crack or flake in the strip, and subseqently in the blank planchet.
When the planchet is struck to become a coin, the air bubble undergoes further compression and, again, may burst or reach the surface, creating a flake with a sharp, usually ragged edge. If the bubble does not burst, it is likely to form a raised, convex, lump, which consists of a layer of metal overlying the trapped air bubble.
Some may consider this to be a mint error, but I consider it to be an interesting feature, which helps to demonstrate the production process. As coins are mass produced, we should expect the unexpected, and accept that some seemingly random things will happen.
I don't think feartures like this add much value to the coin, nor should they detract from its value. 
I believe most true numismatics should try to have a few coins with unusual features in their collection.
We have photographed quite a number of air bubble and surface flake coins in the past, and I will try to remember to add them to this thread when I re-discover them.
 

Hello, I'm new here....I've been lurking in the bushes for a while now and decided to join the forum. I can't remember how I first came across 'The Silver Forum' 
I acquired some silver britannias in 2020 from atsbullion and atkinsons. I've been using BullionVault allocated storage for a few months as well.
I'm a low paid factory worker, working 56 hours a week. So I won't get much time to post here but I have a strong belief in the power of precious metals as a 'long term' preserver of wealth over fiat currency.
That's all for now....kind regards mik

Hallo liebe Silberfreunde,
heute ein paar Neuankömmlinge sowie eine Sammlung von 2oz Silber
dabei sehr viele in Ultra High Relief, ich liebe das Zeug einfach.  
Ich wünsche euch ein schönes Wochenende.
Grüße vom Maxe.

Well what can i say recieved this today and took my breath away 
Super high releif Attica Athens Owl 
BC 393 - 294 (2,400 years old) 
Also recieved this 1900 kingdom of Wurtemburrg another belting 20 marks 

Nice little proof sixpence.

A little update for today

Following on with my Pre- Decimal Crown collection (1820 through to 1960) and whilst I do some reading and get a better understanding of Crown issues prior to George III,  I have decided to move forward with Decimal issued Crowns (or £5’s). 
My aim is to collect all the modern Commemorative Royal issues- to date- and in as many formats as possible- Piedfort, Silver Proof, Proof FDC & Base Metal.
By my reckoning there have been 39 different Monarchy themed Crown issues since 1972- this should keep me busy for a while, so if you don’t here from me, that’s what I’m up to 😂 
These arrivals came over the last several days.  With thanks to @Richym99 for the eight Piedforts and the freebie display case was appreciated (I’ll need it!).  And thank you @PapaLazarou for the Crowns.  A couple more were eBay pick ups.


Piedforts 


Crowns- Silver Proof & Base metal

Also nice to get together all 6 of Her Majesty’s Portraits in the Crown sized coin.

 

Hi, nice piece.
1. Try to check if is magnetic. If not,
2. If is not having a full hallmark, try to find between decorations maybe you can find somewhere written 800, 835, 900 or another numbers. This will show you that it is continental silver. If not, go to a jeweller for a test, or better...
4. Order on Amazon or Ebay a 10ml bottle of acid test for silver. When arrived, apply a tiny drop somewhere on the bottom, on a hidden area, after you have scratched a little the surface. If it is base metal, will corrode burning in yellow, green or blue. If is pewter, will do nothing. If is silver, will turn in red and after you wipe the area will be like blood on wipe and on silver will remain a tiny white spot. The remaining acid will help you in the future when you are unsure again.
All the best and keep us updated.
Stefan 

Great start of the new coin series

And these… perseverance has paid off on the 1979, ive graded many many 1979 proofs to get  to a 70 🤩

I had some spectacular grading results back of some beautiful coins today, so before they go off to the safe I thought id share this special set. @Chrisplym 🥳😉
 

Got this little half dollar piece today...1803 large 3 draped bust 50c.
 

An awsome arrival today. my last delivery to this house as finally moving to my new digz tomorrow 
1oz Plata from M6 metals 

Silver Eagle and Alien are still waiting for a griffin without milk spots

Hi Folks, as a new member I thought by way of introduction I'd tell you my gold story...
I got my first case of gold fever back in 2003 and promptly set off for Chards in Blackpool, where I spent about £3000 on 1oz coins. I remember Lawrence producing a 'Chard' coin that they had had made and asking what I thought of it, and, after I said I didn't think it was gold, he said 'congratulations, it's fooled a lot of people' and gave it me for free! (I've still got it somewhere).
Back then Krugerrands were £249, Maples £252, Australian Nuggets £260 and Pandas £302.
Then a few years later (2007 ish) I went back to Chards and paid £3,555 for a bag of 50 Sovs.
So I paid about £7000 for 24 ounces.
Anyway, I ended up selling it all (too soon, as it turned out).
Fast forward to 2021 and wouldn't you know it, I've been infected again! This time it's a slow slog, buying a 1oz Britannia when I can afford it and Sovs when I can't, but for me it's the only way to save.
God I wish I still had it all!
Cheers,
Mobius.
 

2021 Barbados Caribbean Octopus




2021 Canada  Generations: Inuit Nunangat

2021 Canada 10 oz Robert Bateman Wolf Sketch
 

2021 Canada 5 oz Lake Louise

Big thanks to @paolo for this