Welcome to the Coin Club. We are an assortment of newbies and oldbies, amateurs and experts with questions and answers for oldbies and newbies, amateurs and experts in coin collecting, also known as numismatics. Whether you are just getting started, have been collecting for years or have simply found some old coins about the place that you’d like to sell, this is the place to ask your questions.

No one has all the answers, and you may get five differing answers to the same question, yet each may be right in a manner of speaking, especially if opinions are involved. Opinions often vary. If you receive no answer to your query within 48 hours, please ask again.

mudeki - 2014-12-31 21:28:00

It seems feasible also that if one puts an autobid of $550, and the bidding is at $500, but then the same bidder decides to just wang on a solid $600 bid, that could also show as a similar thing.

echoriath - 2014-12-31 21:51:00

Now back to $500.

funho1 - 2015-01-01 09:25:00

The bidder at $500 may have gone to increase their autobid but forgotten to tick the 'autobid' button and so a firm bid was placed at $600 ?

Now corrected by hosnz.

funho1 - 2015-01-01 09:28:00

Interesting, thanks for this - always good to learn something new. I had an odd one with a well-known sniping program a while back where an item was won by someone else for a few cents less than my high bid. I contacted the program owner and he said the reason was that my high bid was not a full increment higher than the new one that had been placed and was therefore invalid. There is a function to get around that (adjust autobid, or some such), which I have learned to use since!

translateltd - 2015-01-01 09:30:00

do these show up, every now and then, on trademe (I wouldn't mind one!)?

http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/199160

dtpapa - 2015-01-02 07:47:00

dtpapa wrote:

do these show up, every now and then, on trademe (I wouldn't mind one!)?

http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/199160

Have not noticed many for sale on trademe however one sold recently on Ebay

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RARE-1865-NEW-ZEALAND-EXHIBITION-
MEDAL-64-5MM-COPPER-MOREL-1865-1-gVF-/321606400129?pt=US_Wor
ld_Coins&hash=item4ae13c3881

mudeki - 2015-01-02 08:08:00

dtpapa wrote:

do these show up, every now and then, on trademe (I wouldn't mind one!)?

http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/199160

Howard Mitchell (curio) had one on TM a few years ago but they are very few and far between.

translateltd - 2015-01-02 08:36:00

that ebay coin is lovely, except for the rim damage, the design is very similar to one of the versions of the Milner and Thompson tokens.

dtpapa - 2015-01-02 13:41:00

I couldn't help but notice (being the nosy type) that a certain 3p graded AU by pcgs has just sold for 600NZD, about 35NZD less than the seller paid for it on ebay!!

dtpapa - 2015-01-02 15:37:00

I have quite a few coins. Mostly copper pennies and half paennies (NZ and British). Where can I get the most reliable info to see if any are of any value please ? Knowing my luck none will be, but I don't see the point in hanging onto them as I don't collect coins (I just inherited them), however feel it sensible to do some research first. All are well used, although quite clearly marked. TIA

rose-murray - 2015-01-02 17:07:00

rose-murray wrote:

I have quite a few coins. Mostly copper pennies and half paennies (NZ and British). Where can I get the most reliable info to see if any are of any value please ? Knowing my luck none will be, but I don't see the point in hanging onto them as I don't collect coins (I just inherited them), however feel it sensible to do some research first. All are well used, although quite clearly marked. TIA

http://www.coins-of-the-uk.co.uk/ is a good site for British coins, with (I believe) updated valuations; for NZ coins the John Bertrand (Premier) catalogue - print, not on-line - is the most useful. I believe the 2015 edition isn't too far off, but not completely sure. The 2014 edition should still be available on TM.

translateltd - 2015-01-02 17:59:00

So I've got several 2011 $2 coins that have a blobule of metal going up from where the topmost two feathers adjoin the wing proper. There's a small fork in the main wing going upwards, which should terminate where the feathers begin, but instead a blob of metal keeps going up onto the feathers. Sorry, photo to follow, but has anyone else seen this?

Also, a couple of them have pretty good impressions of the edges of other coins embedded in them.

Photos to follow.

echoriath - 2015-01-02 21:06:00

This message was deleted.

rapid200sx - 2015-01-03 13:08:00

rapid200sx wrote:

Check this find out -

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-30654568

What a fantastic find. It will be interesting to see what happens to the price for these items, though - I bet they don't remain at £200 each for long with 5000 likely to come onto the market sooner or later.

translateltd - 2015-01-03 15:32:00

translateltd wrote:

http://www.coins-of-the-uk.co.uk/ is a good site for British coins, with (I believe) updated valuations; for NZ coins the John Bertrand (Premier) catalogue - print, not on-line - is the most useful. I believe the 2015 edition isn't too far off, but not completely sure. The 2014 edition should still be available on TM.

Thanks for that.

rose-murray - 2015-01-03 16:32:00

Bids are getting hot on the 1935d, Auction 826674186

gammoner - 2015-01-04 11:11:00

translateltd wrote:

Interestin-
g, thanks for this - always good to learn something new. I had an odd one with a well-known sniping program a while back where an item was won by someone else for a few cents less than my high bid. I contacted the program owner and he said the reason was that my high bid was not a full increment higher than the new one that had been placed and was therefore invalid. There is a function to get around that (adjust autobid, or some such), which I have learned to use since!

You found the "Round bid up if necessary" tick box

gammoner - 2015-01-04 11:13:00

gammoner wrote:

You found the "Round bid up if necessary" tick box

That's the one.

translateltd - 2015-01-05 10:07:00

This message was deleted.

donaldo - 2015-01-05 12:51:00

donaldo wrote:

1997 $2 'SOUTH AFRICAN' variety??
i note some for sale on trade me at $22-$25 each
and reference to 'NZ' 1997 $2 COINS being withdrawn
but catalogue shows 1 million minted with value of $5???
i note i have no stocks of the 1997 $2 at all
--all rather confusing

They weren't officially withdrawn - it's a common misconception. The $2 coins made at the SA mint in 1997 were to a slightly different spec than the previous 1990-91 circulating coins and there were some problems with vending machines. I believe they were gradually filtered out of circulation as they were returned to the banks but they still turn up occasionally. I wouldn't call them particularly scarce at all - hence my "spoiler" lot of 24 that I have on TM at the moment ...

Edited by translateltd at 2:17 pm, Mon 5 Jan

translateltd - 2015-01-05 14:16:00

mudeki wrote:

It will be interesting to see how they put them into circulation I would hope they send some to the banks but this all depends on security companies and what old notes are still in stock. Security companies don't care what notes they had out so they will use what is easiest to grab from the shelf.

Banks often get new notes when they order the week before a public holiday as all banks often stock up to supply to retailers before the long weekend. Recently bundles of $5 and $10 notes have been spotted and the 2013 $20 were around more at the start of 2014. Atm's are normally the best bet for new $20 & $50 as the ATM's get loaded by the security companies if not attached to a branch. 100's are hit and miss at banks I have only seen one unc bundle all year.

Cheers
Any time ive asked at a bank its been no new noted, but have pulled plenty from bank machines

nukhelenc - 2015-01-05 16:17:00

Hi all and happy New Year. TYhought you might like to see this great article on ChCh Tokens in the latest Coin News, has some other good stuff too. The site - ISUU has heaps of magazines and publications viewable for free, try a search for "Numismatic" and spend a few hours lol. Cheers
http://issuu.com/bungy52/docs/coin_news_2011-11

iamriff - 2015-01-05 17:36:00

iamriff wrote:

Hi all and happy New Year. TYhought you might like to see this great article on ChCh Tokens in the latest Coin News, has some other good stuff too. The site - ISUU has heaps of magazines and publications viewable for free, try a search for "Numismatic" and spend a few hours lol. Cheers
http://issuu.com/bungy52/docs/coin_news_2011-11

Thanks, Ian - pleased the item is from 2011, though, as CN might have some things to say about copyright if it was the latest issue!

translateltd - 2015-01-05 20:16:00

FIRST UP- "PEACE OF MIND". My negatives on 3,600 deals just went from 2 to 5. I sold a man a Proof 1935 UK Florin for 10% of retail because that was the price on the day- these ARE auctions after all. He kept it THREE months and, instead of getting it certified, he took non-professional opinion and wanted his money back. I told him to get it slabbed. I sold a proof and I stand behind that. Instead- he went through ALL previous non-disputed coin sales with me (coins he KEPT) and gave me negatives. True to my policy I returned them as a warning to all who might chance to deal with this chap.

this is from a ch-ch trader who cleans is coins.

chefman1 - 2015-01-06 18:24:00

chefman1 wrote:

FIRST UP- "PEACE OF MIND". My negatives on 3,600 deals just went from 2 to 5. I sold a man a Proof 1935 UK Florin for 10% of retail because that was the price on the day- these ARE auctions after all. He kept it THREE months and, instead of getting it certified, he took non-professional opinion and wanted his money back. I told him to get it slabbed. I sold a proof and I stand behind that. Instead- he went through ALL previous non-disputed coin sales with me (coins he KEPT) and gave me negatives. True to my policy I returned them as a warning to all who might chance to deal with this chap.

this is from a ch-ch trader who cleans is coins.

Probably no prizes for guessing who :-) But have you had them reversed? You seem to be back down to two again.

translateltd - 2015-01-06 20:04:00

Listing #: 830489068.
this is were i got his quote from [posted 5425] then i went and had a look at his feedbacks.

his 1927 uk florin is not proof as seller described. Vince please you contact me(I have sent email 3 times about this),
then I will remove this feed back.

Edited by chefman1 at 9:00 pm, Tue 6 Jan

chefman1 - 2015-01-06 20:57:00

I've got a jar full of old NZ & Aust coins + a 1853 Victoria UK Penny - is this coin worth anything at all?

minniecat - 2015-01-07 21:46:00

Can you post a photo of both sides? Much easier to answer your question if you can provide a photo.

echoriath - 2015-01-08 02:03:00

trademe resellers bidding against me on ebay are starting to get on my t!ts !!!

Edited by dtpapa at 5:03 pm, Thu 8 Jan

dtpapa - 2015-01-08 17:02:00

anyone know the seller antiquesellers? Is he on holiday at the minute?

He's not posted me my lovely 1950 6p, yet.

Edited by dtpapa at 5:05 pm, Thu 8 Jan

dtpapa - 2015-01-08 17:05:00

dtpapa wrote:

anyone know the seller antiquesellers? Is he on holiday at the minute?

He's not posted me my lovely 1950 6p, yet.

Yes, think still on holiday, but is 100% genuine seller,and can recommend to all

gammoner - 2015-01-08 22:40:00

Current bid: $2.50 Closed: Sat 10 Jan 2015, 11:39 am Listing #: 829386898
Sometimes I wonder >> The seller disputes he's showing two different coins, so why withdraw the lot?

alpha111 - 2015-01-10 17:40:00

Ive been going through some of the auctions and some of the coins that the sellers list as "Uncirculated" sure looks like they have been circulated quite a few times.

Am I misinterpreting the word uncirculated.

Also in the next month I will put some coins up for auction, what the best way to protect the coins when i post them, Bubble wrap??

Bubble wrap????

brett21 - 2015-01-10 17:53:00

alpha111 wrote:

Current bid: $2.50 Closed: Sat 10 Jan 2015, 11:39 am Listing #: 829386898
Sometimes I wonder >> The seller disputes he's showing two different coins, so why withdraw the lot?

It's a magic coin - you take it out of its case and the horseback obverse changes to the Machin head-and-shoulders one.

translateltd - 2015-01-10 18:01:00

brett21 wrote:

Ive been going through some of the auctions and some of the coins that the sellers list as "Uncirculated" sure looks like they have been circulated quite a few times.

Am I misinterpreting the word uncirculated.

Also in the next month I will put some coins up for auction, what the best way to protect the coins when i post them, Bubble wrap??

Bubble wrap????

I suspect the misinterpretation is not on your part :-) The inexperienced and the overenthusiastic can interpret grading descriptions quite broadly, and more experienced collectors can still overlook details sometimes.

Posting depends on the item. If it's in a box or case, bubble wrap is good. Individual smaller coins I put in an old envelope first and fold it so they won't move or rattle, then put the envelope between a couple of bits of cardboard, both for extra protection and to hide them from prying fingers in transit. Any tape should only go on your inner wrapping (envelope, plastic sleeve, whatever) and not the coin itself, of course.

translateltd - 2015-01-10 18:07:00

brett21 wrote:

Ive been going through some of the auctions and some of the coins that the sellers list as "Uncirculated" sure looks like they have been circulated quite a few times.
Am I misinterpreting the word uncirculated.
No you are Correct ~ for example some traders think a trace of luster makes a bronze coin "unc".

alpha111 - 2015-01-10 18:12:00

Take this 1941 half penny which backs up what you are stating >>
Start price: $55.00 No reserve Closes: 1 hr 36 mins Listing #: 829368937

alpha111 - 2015-01-10 18:20:00

translateltd wrote:

I suspect the misinterpretation is not on your part :-) The inexperienced and the overenthusiastic can interpret grading descriptions quite broadly, and more experienced collectors can still overlook details sometimes.

Posting depends on the item. If it's in a box or case, bubble wrap is good. Individual smaller coins I put in an old envelope first and fold it so they won't move or rattle, then put the envelope between a couple of bits of cardboard, both for extra protection and to hide them from prying fingers in transit. Any tape should only go on your inner wrapping (envelope, plastic sleeve, whatever) and not the coin itself, of course.

Thanks for the Information, the coins have no boxes or cases, so I will go with the envelope thing.

brett21 - 2015-01-10 22:18:00

This message was deleted.

oldecurb - 2015-01-10 23:24:00

brett21 wrote:

Thanks for the Information, the coins have no boxes or cases, so I will go with the envelope thing.

Allow for the possibility that the envelopes may be lying exposed in the postie's bag, which has caused problems in the past when it's raining. I know the weather is fine at the moment, but this is NZ.....

Using a pen with permanent ink also becomes quite a good idea. If time allows, write the address on the inner envelope as well. I'm a bit excessive, but I wrap the coin in one layer of cardboard (cut from cracker boxes or similar) into an envelope shape, which is taped shut with the coin inside (no tape on coin). I put the buyer's address on that, then, if they sent their address via TM, I print the packing slip, tri-fold that with the address on the outside and tape one end shut. Put the cardboard envelope with coin inside into the tri-folded packing slip, then tape the packing slip shut. That all goes into the main envelope with buyer's address, my return address and stamp.

Anything that sells for more than $50 goes via courier (prepaid bag but with coin similarly prepared) whether the buyer paid for that or not.

echoriath - 2015-01-11 01:27:00

And if you use ordinary mail, it pays to tape over each corner of the envelope, which discourages anyone from quickly slicing it open, which has been known to happen.

translateltd - 2015-01-11 08:33:00

Smiling at this:

"*** no fussy buyers please ***

"No service to any Hauraki Gulf Islands, Chatham Island or Stewart Island. Also unable to use PTP to any private bags or PO Box addresses."

Fussy sellers are OK, clearly ...

translateltd - 2015-01-11 09:54:00

by 1933 the art of numismatics was well and truly thriving in NZ. So, you'd expect there to have been thousands of coins set aside, in MS66 or better condition. So where are all these coins? In collections? You hardly see any true quality MS66 coins up for sale these days.

dtpapa - 2015-01-11 10:13:00

Just found this amongst some coins. Is it just a farthing someone has tampered with?

http://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/356816665.jpg
http://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/356814884.jpg

bizarre67 - 2015-01-11 11:54:00

echoriath wrote:

Allow for the possibility that the envelopes may be lying exposed in the postie's bag, which has caused problems in the past when it's raining. I know the weather is fine at the moment, but this is NZ.....

Using a pen with permanent ink also becomes quite a good idea. If time allows, write the address on the inner envelope as well. I'm a bit excessive, but I wrap the coin in one layer of cardboard (cut from cracker boxes or similar) into an envelope shape, which is taped shut with the coin inside (no tape on coin). I put the buyer's address on that, then, if they sent their address via TM, I print the packing slip, tri-fold that with the address on the outside and tape one end shut. Put the cardboard envelope with coin inside into the tri-folded packing slip, then tape the packing slip shut. That all goes into the main envelope with buyer's address, my return address and stamp.

Anything that sells for more than $50 goes via courier (prepaid bag but with coin similarly prepared) whether the buyer paid for that or not.

Great advice, cheers!

brett21 - 2015-01-11 14:54:00

dtpapa wrote:

by 1933 the art of numismatics was well and truly thriving in NZ. So, you'd expect there to have been thousands of coins set aside, in MS66 or better condition. So where are all these coins? In collections? You hardly see any true quality MS66 coins up for sale these days.

I would guess that in 1933 not a lot of people had sufficient disposable income to keep top-quality coins aside, especially the higher denominations.

translateltd - 2015-01-11 15:54:00

bizarre67 wrote:

Just found this amongst some coins. Is it just a farthing someone has tampered with?

http://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/356816665.jpg
http://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/356814884.jpg[/q
uote]

It looks like a brockage (an error that happens when a freshly struck coin gets stuck in the die and then itself strikes the next blank that comes along). The incuse impression comes from the jammed coin instead of the other die. If it's normal farthing size (thickness, diameter) with no sign of an underlying reverse design or a more recent manual beating to impress another coin onto it, it's probably genuine.

Edited by translateltd at 3:59 pm, Sun 11 Jan

translateltd - 2015-01-11 15:58:00

translateltd wrote:

It looks like a brockage (an error that happens when a freshly struck coin gets stuck in the die and then itself strikes the next blank that comes along). The incuse impression comes from the jammed coin instead of the other die. If it's normal farthing size (thickness, diameter) with no sign of an underlying reverse design or a more recent manual beating to impress another coin onto it, it's probably genuine.

Thank you, just thought I would ask as it looks and feels really smooth. Is it worth putting on TM or is it worthless?

bizarre67 - 2015-01-11 16:45:00

bizarre67 wrote:

Thank you, just thought I would ask as it looks and feels really smooth. Is it worth putting on TM or is it worthless?

If it's genuine there'll be a market for it. Of course, if you just want to throw it away, be sure to throw it in my direction :-) The pictures are a bit small to tell, but you'll need to check it carefully to make sure there are no traces of a proper reverse under the "mirror-image" portrait side. Someone could just have pressed another farthing against it, though that in theory would cause damage to the other side.

Edited by translateltd at 5:45 pm, Sun 11 Jan

translateltd - 2015-01-11 17:42:00