Zebo

My hope is that they lump a number of sovereigns together and count them as one. That way they can briefly discuss several, but not overload the list. Maybe have the 1953 proof stand by itself, and then discuss the others as one. Don't know - my copy of the book has just shipped. I vaguely remember something about a South Africian 1950 pattern, but will have to search my notes to refresh my memory. The Chiense and Japanise coins should,be interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing some.

Some good picks. I think here will be a few sovereigns lumped together and discussed as a set (maybe not). 1953 proof QEII 1920 S as you mentioned (interesting story & very low mintage) 1923 SA as you also mentioned (opening of the South African Mint & low mintage) possibley the 1917 - entire issue was to pay for war reparations and the vast majority melted possibly the 1908 C (Edward VII - opening the Canadian mint & low mintage) I would not include the 1918 I (Bombay Mint) and I keep want to throw in some from the 1800s - to bad they didn't go farther back to the beginning of the Modern sovereign (1817). There may may be more than one British penny as well (add unique 1952 & 1937) I am interested in the Chiense and Japanise entries as I know little of them.

South Africa would be interesting, but I thought you also collect Pillars. I have a decent collection of South Africian sovereigns, but it is just a subset. There are only 10 coins in the series as you know.

I wouldnt mind learning about your collection as well. I am sure it would be interesting - especially with the trials and tribulations that you have to overcome finding some of the issues. i know very little of the series.

Quintus - since its Labor Day already (just joking), would you be interested in describing your collection and then engaging in a Q&A session? i know I'd be interested.

How rare are the two issues and what would make them great? Are they unique or close to it? Do they have a story behind them that makes them widely popular or interesting? What impact did they play on the world scene? Just asking - I don't know anything about roosters except the kind on the farm across the street. They did seem somewhat in demand at the last local coin show I attended.

I believe the World book covers only the twentieth century. Kurt can confirm since he has his copy already. Also Great doesn't always refer to rare. I believe that a good story and popularity of the coin or impact adds into it. I'm also interested in seeing what the criteria was in choosing them. In any event, there will be numerous disagreements why something was on the list or not. it might be of interest to some of the member and non-members for some debate to occur. Trying to add interest and/or involvement in this forum. My copy should be arriving soon. Wonder how long media mail takes these days.

I was just trying to remember some of the people that posted here that I haven't seen on in awhile. who do you remember?

If the claims were abandon - it's finders keepers. Registering their claim only reinforces it.

Lookslike one up my alley - look forward to it.

I agree - but they do tend to get some people debating on the choices. This is an attempt to add a bit more interest to the forum -- an inch thick, but a mile wide. Serious discussions on the other hand are a mile deep. We need the deep dives more than the others, but if we are going to try to bring in others and spur on conversations - let's try both.

Nope - didn't notice. Thanks for the alert. Below is a decent write up,if anyone is interested: 100 Greatest Modern World Coins By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker; Foreword by Donald Scarinci. Whitman Publishing LLC, 160 pages, lavishly illustrated, hardcover. Rarely has a numismatic book published in modern times achieved the overall excellence displayed by this newest Whitman Greatest title. Authors Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker have collaborated with remarkable success in compiling their list of “Greatest” world coins produced since the opening of the 20th century. The authors were (and still are) well aware of the controversies lying in wait for their exhaustive labors. Opening with a definition of “Greatest,” they determined that no single factor could place any coin in this rarified category. Several had to be considered for each coin listed, including history, beauty, popularity, quality, rarity, and value. Above all, they selected coins with a story, the key ingredient that makes any coin appealing to determined collectors. Every effort was made to widen the scrutiny of geographical regions and countries beyond a narrow Eurocentric focus. This has resulted in a relatively thorough examination of coins of the Far East, Asia, and Africa that have been so often ignored by mid-20th-century catalogers. In this quest, certain historical figures loom larger than they might in traditional survey histories. British monarch George V, King of the United Kingdom and Emperor of India, appears repeatedly since during his reign (1911-1936) the British Empire reached its peak and began its transition into a Commonwealth. Thus, rarities in the still-new coinages of Canada, South Africa, and Australiareceive attention, illuminated by carefully chosen portraits of King George and such figures as Canada’s Governor-General Grey, South Africa’s S.J.P. Kruger, Generals J.B.M. Hertzog and Field Marshal Jan C. Smuts. British mega-rarities illustrated and described include the never-issued 1937 Proofcoins prepared by The Royal Mint for King Edward VIII, subsequently the Duke of Windsor after his abdication and marriage to American divorcée Wallis Warfield Simpson. The coins were fatally delayed by the new king’s fuss over which way his head would face. All denominations are illustrated, from bronze farthing through gold five pounds. Non-collectible British coins of more recent years include the 1953 Elizabeth II gold half sovereign, sovereign, two and five pounds – of which only three of each denomination were ever struck. Unlike her father’s 1937 coinage, no collector-only gold coins were to be struck, but photos of these great rarities are enough to fill any collector with hopeless yearning. In its representation of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese rarities, this new book has no equal. Chinese coverage is complicated by the authors’ decision to present transliterations of Chinese names and terms in the Pinyin rather than in the older Wade-Giles style. Generations of western numismatists were raised on the older method and it is a difficult adjustment to make. If adopted, however, the newer style will harmonize future numismatic publications with those in most other fields of study. The Chinese rarities listed provide an unequaled roster of historic coinage. The accompanying portraits and artwork of the last emperors and such later figures as General, President, and almost-Emperor Yuan Shikai offer windows into a turbulent era of Chinese and world history. Much of the confusion dating back to pioneer Wayte Raymond and his compiler Howland Wood in creating the 1938 Coins of the World is resolved by the meticulous Morgan-Walker listings. Elsewhere the authors’ resolve uncertainties in such once-puzzling areas as the gold coinage of modern Romania, where a 1940 six-coin gold set of King Carol II is superbly described and richly illustrated. Carol, “that bounder” to his British cousin King George V, issued these somewhat ostentatious coins in 1940 to celebrate his 10th anniversary on the throne that he usurped from his young son Michael. They proved to be Carol’s last coinage issues. Among modern central European coinages, notice is taken to the early postwar coins of West Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland, “Federal”, not “People’s”, Republic) and East Germany, the “German Democratic Republic” (Deutsche Demokratische Republik), with a somewhat benign review of the latter, now vanished regime. The legendary wartime 1916 German East Africa gold 15 Rupien is presented but without mention of the remarkable colonial war waged under Col. Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, who ended World War I during a successful invasion of British Rhodesia. Italian rarities include both silver and gold issues of the numismatist king Victor Emmanuel III, who reigned 44 years through the most difficult of times, making his last act on Italian soil the gift of his vast collection to the Italian people. His son Umberto II succeeded him but the monarchy ended before coins could be prepared. Among truly modern coins of exceptional historical interest but not earth-shattering rarities are the five 1991 Russian pieces inscribed GOSUDARSTVENNYI BANK SSSR (or the “State Bank of the USSR”), the last issues of a disappearing Soviet Unionthat soon after dissolved. Here is another example of an important but not overwhelmingly costly modern coin set. Perhaps the most distinguished achievement, apparent throughout this book, is its successful emphasis on the Story behind each coin listed, regardless of market value or auction record. Not every collector may be able to obtain world-class rarities, but none can escape the inspiration of their tumultuous stories set forth so skillfully by Morgan and Walker.

Since I opened my mouth about it - I just ordered the most recent edition. It's coming via media mail, however - so it may be a while before I can comment on it.

Has anyone purchased the 100 Greatest Modern World Coins book that came out earlier this year and won an award from the NLG? I believe they reviewed issues of the twentieth century and not just those coins minted after 1965. if so you purchased it - thoughts? China and Great Britain figure prominently in it among others. This is follows the same format I believe as the other 100 Greatest books. It might be interesting to debate whether you believe a coin or set (combination of great coins from the same series) should have been included or excluded from the list. A clear understanding of how they were selected should be discussed before any debates so that everyone is working off the same page. (Rarity, impact on the world, interesting aspects, or possibly a good story could be some of the criteria). of course I would argue that the sovereign figure rather high. But I am getting ahead of myself.

If I remember right, and I probably don't, if they laid a claim to the land - they basically lease the property and the mineral rights are theirs. The lease has to be renewed every so often and others can compete for it if it is not renewed on time. If the lease is not renewed - who ever sends in their request first and goes rough all the hoops - marking the claim along with documentation - it's theirs after about one year (processing time). During the time the claim is in processing - anyone can dig and keep anything they find. Of course there cannot be any big digs or mining equipment. again - I may be wrong on the above since my memory has faded on this matter. Australia has some bizarre laws on the books that goes back to the penal colony days.

This would be an interesting turn. Alternate between US and World coins and you have a winner. highlighting certain collections, which NGC has started to do in their newsletter, and have the owner discuss the collection or take questions might be interesting. What else???

I've invited a few to rejoin the forums here, we'll see if they take the bait or not. What is the significance of days won or number of posts? I never did understand that. as far as ranking forum sites. I prefer NGC's site the best. PCGS second - mainly because of some of the personalities. Coin Talk third and Coin Community fourth. Just my preference. I was watching the NLG awards and noticed - not only Roger's well deserved award, but that NGC received a few mentions. PCGS - Zero! Out of the two, NGC is being much more proactive in improving. I will be watching the ANA awards next.

Interesting - who owns the minerals rights? I dig something up - it's mine.

I've done that - but may try again.

I was giving odds that you couldn't stay off the boards until Labor Day. It didn't take long. Welcome back

Nice job. I have Marks book, but haven't really gotten started yet. One of these days.

I actually like the combined US and World category. I didn't at first, but I would otherwise be bouncing back and forth between the two. I also enjoy the forum members here, much more than ATS. The moderators are also better here. I do wish Bill Jones and a couple others would reappear - but that may or may not happen.

Reminds me of Digger Bob

Congrats to Daryl and Roger. Along with the others.

There is a separate submission form for ancients. Look at the last form.