Zebo

Nice coins. The die marks for the series go up to E, but I haven't seen one of those yet. I've seen A, B, C, and Ds. for the 1974 montage: 6,566 total broken down as: A die Mark 4,768 B die Mark 1,798 I do not have the die mintages for the 1977

From what I understand the 22 ct was the BU issues and the 23.5 ct was the proofs.

Looks menacing. Maybe a companion.

Across the street - PCGS in this instance.

Heritage's interview with Mr. Simpson: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ecrm-p9BA6M?ctrack=2788277&type=collectora-img7-coinus-news-tem092220 Must be nice being able to buy anything you want. Part I of his auction went for 14.6 Mil.

You and me both. Just keep moving forward - that's all we can do.

It was for QEII's 25th coronation anniversary. There isn't any special mark on the coins (as far as I know), but they were sold in four coin specimen sets (half, one, two and five). I am not sure what is meant by specimen set. Something to follow-up on for sure.

The one on the left wearing glasses (just playing devils advocate for Roger)

That is the coronation anniversary issue - proof only (listed as such in the enclyopedia). I do not have a BU issue and I do not believe that there is one.

BTW - the enclyopedia of IOM coins has three editions 1977, 1978 and 1979. I have the 1979 edition. Since I've found some interest in IOM coinage (both of you), I've also just ordered the first edition - I doubt there will be any gems that aren't in the third edition, but who knows. It will look nice in my library in any case (joke)!

Thanks - I've been through some of these records and have found this one in the past - Thanks for the web-site, not sure if I've seen it in the past (I don't think so) - so I'll have some fun going through it. the above document states a minimum of 916/1000 fineness was authorized. It doesn't really give us a clue on whether or not any were minted (in BU or the higher 980/1000 proof). I was after the archives in which Pobjoy would have reported to the IOM government how many they struck in their yearly reports.

What a steal at that price.

In addition to Southalls book, I often refer to my correspondence with Southall and with the Pobjoy Mint. In addition to that I have an encyclopedia of Isle of Man coins published by the Pobjoy Mint. This actually lists the number of sovereigns minted for each die for the years 1973 and 1974. It also provides a little information on sovereigns through 1979, but the information is very limited and it stops there. There are some good tidbits of information in it that Southall does not have in his book (I believe - I'd have to reread Southall's book to be positive). So the question about your 1980 isn't covered in the book unfortunately. In any event - there are sure to be some interesting finds in this series in the future. I've offered and have requested access to the Pobjoy archives, but have been refused. Dirty laundry??? two other tidbits: one of the Pobjoy staff actually told me that they use Southall's and Krause's information for their records as they do not keep,their own. The deeper I dug, the more their story changed. So who knows what is the truth. also - I talked to the Isle of Man government in search of their records for coins and currency. That was a dead end because the person in charge of the archived records retired and took his files with him. You have to remember - this is a very small place and things happen.

Southall has this listed as proof only. He did list list all th die marks associated with any of the sovereigns - just the ones he knew about. So the question is - is this a proof that is listed (but does not have the die Mark noted) or is this a BU that is not listed at all. I'm not sure which. I'll pull out my other reference and see if says anything.

Here's a couple of them, interesting place.

It would be fun to go through them. I love the Dallas reference.

At first - I didn't care for it, a bit busy for me. But with the darker colored coins, they stand out better. What about the lighter color coins??? I'll have to see of the 7070 grows on me - or not.

Since we are talking about the Isle of Man -- have you ever seen one of their Rams as depicted in the following coinage?

Do tell

Very nice and a hard one to find. I've talked to a few collectors that have just started to collect these - so they may be harder in the future.

One of the reasons that I collect Bu and not proof.

I'll have to take a look at the 1991 proof in the NGC listing. You are correct about the 1978 with the A die mark - across the different denominations. Southhall also lists the proof 1980 full sovereign with a D die Mark. the PCGS listings are a complete mess, but they do have a few. Pobjoy frustrates me to no end. Looking back at my notes - they state that they DO keep mint age records, but it's a management decision not to release that information and in the next breath they say they do not have montage records. My reference book does not list a 1986 in proof or BU -- maybe another one to pick up.

Some very nice coins - your pulling me back to U.S. Coins a bit. I haven't really looked at them for a while.

I figured you'd jump right on this one. It was a good presentation Kurt. I'll be interested in hearing Goldfingers views as well.

Thanks -'I've seen that one before. I have a smaller version that I haven't really played with yet.