We need help from global numismatic collectors!!

Important Message for all Numismatists

A new amendment to the German Cultural property and Heritage Protection Law looks set to have extremely negative repercussions for collectors worldwide.

The proposed changes to the law, put forward by German Minister of Culture Monika Grütters, will affect anyone specialising in traditional collecting fields, such as coins, stamps and books.

What does this mean?

In basic terms, it means that any owner of what is deemed 'cultural goods' with a value of 2,500 Euros will now have to provide absolute proof of the the item's provenance for the previous 20 years.

In the case of items that are deemed 'of archaeological value', the same is true to the value of just 100 Euros.

I don't trade in Germany, why should I care?

Collectors all over the world need to take notice of this proposal. If it passes, it means that it will severely restrict trade in Germany, which will inevitably have a detrimental effect on prices and values across the entire market.

Law is law, what can I do?

This is one of those rare occasions where the voice of those directly affected can make a difference. The proposed amendment openly calls for 'comment and contribution', meaning that it is not yet set in stone and we can have an influence on the amendment's future.

So, what do we do?

A petition has been created which you can sign by following this link. 

At A H Baldwin & Sons we are actively encouraging our valued customers and friends to sign, so that we can continue to preserve the traditions and time-honoured culture of not just numismatics but collecting in all its guises.

As always, we continue to appreciate your support.

----The Baldwin's Team


  Link to petition: www.baldwin.co.uk/petition

How the coin expert's view about the "variety" and "error" ?

Lets us have a read from coin expert, Mr. Ken Potter said about "variety" and "error". 

Mari kita membaca pandangan daripada pakar duit syiling, Encik Ken Potter berkata mengenai "variati" dan "ralat".

By way of introduction, I am an error and variety coin specialist from Michigan. As a charter life member of the Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America (CONECA) and a founding member of the National Collector’s Association of Die Doubling (NCADD), I serve both groups independently as their official attributor of world (non-U.S.) hub doubled dies and I privately list all types of die varieties on both U.S. and other world coins in the Variety Coin Register(r). I am also a columnist for Coin World, World Coin News, Canadian Coin News, Cherrypickers’ News and several club publications.

Melalui pengenalan, saya adalah seorang pakar syiling ralat dan pelbagai duit syiling dari Michigan. Sebagai ahli seumur hidup piagam Pertubuhan Gabungan daripada pengumpul Syarikat Ralat Numismatic (CONECA) dan ahli pengasas Persatuan Pemungut Negara Die Penggandaan (NCADD), saya berkhidmat kepada kedua-dua kumpulan secara bebas sebagai attributor rasmi mereka di dunia (bukan AS) dan saya secara peribadi menyenaraikan semua jenis-jenis acuan syiling  di kedua-dua Amerika Syarikat dan syiling dunia lain dalam pelbagai syiling berdaftar (r). Saya juga seorang kolumnis untuk syiling Dunia, World syiling News, Kanada syiling News, Berita Cherrypickers 'dan beberapa penerbitan kelab.

NGC IDENTIFIES 2 NEW MALAYSIA DOUBLED DIE VARIETIES

Posted by Dave J. Camire, NCS President on 10/14/2014

Two Malaysian double die coins are now included in NGC's list of recognized varieties.

By Oct 2014, NGC has added two new Malaysian doubled dies to its list of recognized varieties. The first is a 1980 Sen with a doubled die obverse. The doubling is the strongest on the denomination, the date, and the Hibiscus flowers to the right of the date.

两枚马来西亚双击硬币获得NGC认证为新币种。

2014年10月， NGC增加两项马来西亚双击硬币于认证币种名单当中。第一款就是1980 1 仙 双击硬币，你可以发现到硬币背面的币值，右则的日期和大红花图案都有显著的双打迹象。






Malaysia 1980 Sen with a Doubled Die Obverse









Malaysia 1980 Sen with a Doubled Die Obverse Close Ups of Doubling

The second coin is also an obverse doubled die. This time it is on a 2008 5 Sen. The doubling is rotated and very strong on nearly all of the devices. It is very reminiscent of the highly prominent doubling on the United States 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Cent.

第二款则是2008年5仙硬币，同时也是同样背面双击的硬币。这款硬币呈现旋转式的双打，双击的范围和力度也相当的强，几乎涵盖这个背面。这和美国1955年双击硬币有很多相同的地方。









Malaysia 2008 5 Sen with a Doubled Die Obverse






Malaysia 2008 5 Sen with a Doubled Die Obverse Close Up of Doubling

NGC routinely adds new varieties to its list of recognized types. Collectors may submit new varieties for evaluation and possible attribution, or they can contact NGC for more information.

NGC定期更新新币种名单。收藏家可以提交新币种于NGC进行评估和鉴定可能的类别，同时也可以NGC联系以获取更多信息。

Source: NGC

Straits Settlements 1904B S$1 NGC MS62

、、
Straits $1, Secured by NGC with grade MS62. Immaculate surfaces with iridescent obverse tone upon close inspection. This year type was fallen within transition period of silver standard to Dollar system due to the fluctuating of silver metal price. A well piece in mint state condition is always the collectors' favourite.

Numis Galleries House
22/07/2015

The Highlights of Spink Singapore Auction, Aug 2015 (Part 1)

Spink has announced its upcoming auction for banknotes, bonds & shares, coins and medals of South East Asia.

Some auction highlights you should not miss out!

 

Lot: 115

Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya, $5, 1 January 1940 (1945), serial number A/1 000143, green and pale pink and brown, George VI at right, value at left, red SPECIMEN ONLY NO VALUE at right, NOT LEGAL TENDER at left, Weisberg signature low left, reverse green, arms
(Pick 4a, Tan M8a, Linzmayer BCC B1as), in PCGS holder number 25, an original very fine and very rare

Estimate SG$4,000 to SG$5,000

炒作问题防不胜防！

何谓“炒作”？相信炒作这个术词，对你来说肯定不会陌生。可是笔者有时候倒觉得大家好像不大了解这个词汇，各自都有自我的诠释，似乎很难有一个标准的规范。由于大家对炒作持有不一样的看法，往往就容易在交流当中产生了摩擦或心结。

Straits Settlements 1887 50 cents PCGS MS62

By Mavin Auction, Jul 2013

海峡国第二任总督Sir Andrew Clarke亲笔手稿

除了钱币收藏外，笔者也对这些历史闻人的文档感兴趣，不过多半都是学术研究较多，不会刻意去拥有它。今天要为大家介绍的是笔者刚刚在美国拍卖会被微差数额夺标的一项文物，《海峡国第二任总督Sir Andrew Clarke的亲笔手稿》。

British North Borneo Plantation 10c-$1

British North Borneo Plantation Token, Sandakan Tobacco Company Limited, 10 Cents, (SS.52; Prid.67; Tan NBT15), copper proof; 20 Cents, (SS.42; Prid.66; Tan NBT17), copper proof; 50 Cents, (SS.56; Prid.65; Tan NBT19), copper proof; $1, (SS.58; Prid.64; Tan NBT21), copper proof; 20 Cents, in white metal, appears to be nickel, (unlisted); ND, plain edge, all almost as struck. (5)

Sold for SGD 3400 + 18% buyer premium + 7% GST on buyer premium.

Mavin Auction, Jul 2015

Straits Settlements Victoria, 50 Cents, 1887, NGC AU58

Straits Settlements Victoria, 50 Cents, (KM.13), 1887, NGC AU58, highest in population. From the Sinnathuray Family Collection, 

Sold for SGD 2,100 + 20% premium + GST (if applicable)

Mavin Auction 40, Jul 2015

Straits Settlements Edward VII, 20 Cents, (KM.22), 1903, NGC MS65

Straits Settlements Edward VII, 20 Cents, (KM.22), 1903, NGC MS65. This is the only piece graded MS 65, the highest graded by NGC according to their coin census of Straits.

Sold for SGD2800 + 18% buyer premium + GST (if applicable)

Mavin Auction 40, Jul 2015

What is the mean of "Not Suitable For Certification" by NGC

社交媒体钱币组群会员卡或者卖家验证卡还重要吗？

近年，随着钱币收藏这门嗜好和社交媒体的普及化，社交媒体钱币组群如雨后春笋般地滋长，类似钱币组群可以说从两三年前的两三个主群，发展到至今已经不知道有多少相关的组群。笔者尚记得，很多组群刚开办的时候，都是秉持分享钱币收藏资讯的初衷，结果慢慢的已经变质成为主要买卖平台。现今，笔者个人的观察，这些组群主要都是开放一个交易平台，给予大家一个方便通过社交媒体的简单机制轻而易举的就可以进行买卖交易，而这些平台的运作机制基本上都需要卖方进行登记挂号，卖方必须出示登记证件方能在组群里进行买卖。这门程序听下去，感觉上是挺OK的，结果往往出乎意料的是买卖纠纷不停升温，怨声四起的情形处处可见。说明了，这一个程序机制确实隐藏了非常大的漏洞。各组管理层也似乎没有更妥善机制控制类似的局面，我们必须清楚地是把已经登记的卖方会员踢出组群，不是解决问题的方案，而是把老鼠屎扫去另一边而已。这些卖家也可以通过另一个身份资料从新注册，歌还是一样唱，舞还是可以一样跳… 简而言之，这一张卖家验证卡根本起不了什么作用，它没办法替损失的一方给予任何的保障。笔者也听闻近来的买卖纠纷已经不再是以往的卖方欺诈买方，现在甚至是买方设陷卖方都有！如果验证卡起不了保障的作用，那么为什么还需要注册登记呢？这样也难免一些社交媒体的活跃分子起了质疑，征收验证登记费或者会员卡费到底是偏向盈利还是非盈利宗旨?

破解藏品突然暴涨之谜（2）- （笔者观）

请先翻阅破解藏品突然暴涨之谜（1）

这一编烧饼的故事，有很多情节整整恰住我们现今收藏圈的局面。大家是否曾经觉得很恍然，有些东西前些日子才卖好几百块钱，无人问津。怎么不到一年的时间，迅速地翻了好几倍，届时人人在抢购。这到底是怎么的一回事？难道，我们真的错过了吗？

破解行货藏品突然暴涨之谜 （1）

以下是一篇近来在大陆广为流传的金融文章，主要是针对近期大陆股事受到严重动荡，波及层面甚广的一次金融市场调整。虽说评论主要是针对近期的大陆股票市场，可是当中有很多论述，是挺适合收藏圈的。

假设一个市场，有两个人在卖烧饼，有且只有两个人，姑且称他们为烧饼甲、烧饼乙。

假设他们的烧饼价格没有物价局监管。
假设他们每个烧饼卖一元钱就可以保本（包括他们的劳动力价值）。
假设他们的烧饼数量一样多——经济模型都这样，需要很多假设。
再假设他们生意很不好，一个买烧饼的人都没有。这样他们很无聊地站了半天。

甲说好无聊。
乙说好无聊。

看故事的你们说：好无聊。
这个时候的市场叫做很不活跃！
为了让大家不无聊，甲对乙说：要不我们玩个游戏？乙赞成。

于是，故事开始了......

Beware: Fake HSBC anniversary banknotes are circulating

If it looks suspicious, it’s fake.

A Mong Kok shop owner has that to say after nearly falling for a bogus HSBC commemorative banknote.

The man said he was approached by a mainlander who wanted to sell a note with a serial number ending with 22222 for HK$12,000 (US$1,548).

Apple Daily is reporting that notes with such unusual serial numbers are highly sought after by collectors.

The shop owner found that at least two of the digits had been forged.

He said the seller might have been a scam victim.

HSBC launched the HK$150 note on June 9 to mark its 150th anniversary.

About two million pieces were released including a limited tender with special numbers which have seen brisk sales.

A note numbered HK688888 has an asking price of HK$60,000 to HK$130,000, according to Apple Daily.

It said its reporters received a picture of a fake note numbered AA368888 being sold online for HK$15,000.

The actual numbers are clearly visible under the forged digits, it said.

Police said they have yet to receive reports about such counterfeit bills.

Source: ejinsight

牛市盛宴，你赚了吗？

这一编分析中国牛市的短文，当中有很多描述为何很多股票节节上升，如何扛价等等的伎俩。无论你投资什么项目，都有很多理论相似的地方。

笔者大力推荐！

Numis Galleries House
03/07/2015

PCGS Grading Standards

Some of us may doubt how the professional graders determine the condition of a coin. Thanks PCGS for sharing us the description of grade which adopted by them insofar. 

Grade	Description
PO-1	Identifiable date and type
FR-2	Mostly worn, though some detail is visible
AG-3	Worn rims but most lettering is readable though worn
G-4	Slightly worn rims, flat detail, peripheral lettering nearly full
G-6	Rims complete with flat detail, peripheral lettering full
VG-8	Design worn with slight detail
VG-10	Design worn with slight detail, slightly clearer
F-12	Some deeply recessed areas with detail, all lettering sharp
F-15	Slightly more detail in the recessed areas, all lettering sharp
VF-20	Some definition of detail, all lettering full and sharp
VF-25	Slightly more definition in the detail and lettering
VF-30	Almost complete detail with flat areas
VF-35	Detail is complete but worn with high points flat
EF-40	Detail is complete with most high points slightly flat
EF-45	Detail is complete with some high points flat
EF-45+	Detail is complete with a few high points flat. Superior eye appeal.
AU-50	Full detail with friction over most of the surface, slight flatness on high points
AU-50+	Full detail with friction over most of the surface, very slight flatness on high points. Good eye appeal.
AU-53	Full detail with friction over 1/2 or more of surface, very slight flatness on high points
AU-53+	Full detail with friction on only 1/2 of surface, extremely slight flatness on high points. Positive eye appeal.
AU-55	Full detail with friction on less than 1/2 surface, mainly on high points
AU-55+	Full detail with slight friction on less than 1/2 of surface, on high points. Eye appeal is good.
AU-58	Full detail with only slight friction on the high points
AU-58+	Full detail with the barest trace of friction on the highest points. Superior eye appeal.
MS/PR-60	No wear. May have many heavy marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-61	No wear. Multiple heavy marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-62	No wear. Slightly less marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-62+	No wear. Still slightly above number of marks/hairlines, strike may not be full. Attractive eye appeal for grade.
MS/PR-63	Moderate number/size marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-63+	Average number of marks/hairlines, strike will be close to average. Good eye appeal for grade.
MS/PR-64	Few marks/hairlines or a couple of severe ones, strike should be average or above
MS/PR-64+	Very few marks/hairlines or a couple of heavier ones, strike should be average or above. Superior eye appeal.
MS/PR-65	Minor marks/hairlines though none in focal areas, above average strike
MS/PR-65+	Very minor marks/hairlines though none in focal areas, above average strike and eye appeal
MS/PR-66	Few minor marks/hairlines not in focal areas, good strike
MS/PR-66+	Very few minor marks/hairlines not in focal areas, very good strike with superior eye appeal
MS/PR-67	Virtually as struck with minor imperfections, very well struck
MS/PR-67+	Virtually as struck with very minor imperfections, very well struck with attractive eye appeal
MS/PR-68	Virtually as struck with slight imperfections, slightest weakness of strike allowed
MS/PR-68+	Virtually as struck with very slight imperfections, the strike must be virtually full. Eye appeal must be very good.
MS/PR-69	Virtually as struck with minuscule imperfections, near full strike necessary
MS/PR-70	As struck, with full strike

文章转载：牛市投机，熊市投资

市场是多变的，没有总涨的市场，也没有总跌的市场。古玩市场常说那么一句话：十年不开张，开张活十年。用在我们钱币收藏市场里也是适用的，尽管没有那么夸张。面对市场走熊，藏品价格下跌，我们不应该抱怨，而是想应该怎样去应对。以收藏为主的藏品，价格还是比较实的，即使现在跌了些，将来肯定还会涨上来的，甚至涨的更高。