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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Coinsandmedals, post: 4429665, member: 107435&quot;]I am sure that most collectors have run across a coin that they desired to add to their collection, but for some reason, it took longer to do than they might have liked. This delay could be due to money, availability, pickiness, or maybe even because other coins serve as distractors. Whatever the reason may be, finally acquiring “that coin” is one of the most exhilarating purchases a collector can make. On the flip side, it can be tempting and sometimes even irresistible to pick up the first decent example that you come across. In hindsight, this has usually been a purchase that I later come to regret. Let me illustrate this point with an example from my collection, a 1797 Great Britain 2 Pence from the Soho Mint.</p><p><br /></p><p>For those of you unfamiliar with the series, these coins are rather large (i.e., 41 mm) and weigh two ounces. The size combined with the weight left many of these coins with rim bumps and numerous gouges across the broad raised rims. Truly choice uncirculated examples are scarce; however, they can be found if you are persistent and have enough money to purchase one once you find it. I was on one of my late-night eBay strolls when I stumbled upon what I thought was an exceptionally nice example that I eventually ended up winning (pictured below).</p><p><br /></p><p>I think I ended up paying around $200 or so for the coin, and I was ecstatic because similar coins were fetching several times that at the time. It wasn’t until I finally broke down and bought a copy of the leading reference guide, English Copper, Tin, and Bronze Coins in the British Museum by Peck that my bubble was burst. At the time, I had issues finding a copy, and when I did, I found it hard to swallow the typical $150 price tag. Eventually, I found a copy and did a little research that quickly made me realize that this coin was likely not genuine. I was stubborn and put it off to the side, thinking another look at a different time might bring me to a different conclusion, but it did not. The weight is correct, the dimeter is right, and the majority of the design details are close enough.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1109409[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1109410[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Similar counterfeit examples have been showing up on eBay and other web-based auctions with increasing frequency. To help others avoid making the same mistake I did, I strongly encourage you all to buy the book before the coin. It might also be helpful to pay special attention to the subtle details that differ between the genuine example I just purchased and the counterfeit above (e.g., the ship, sea, George III’s drapery, and the rendering of the detail in his hair). At the time, it was deceptive enough to fool me, but that is because I did not take the time to educate myself before buying it. I knew better than to buy the coin before the book, but this was not a lesson I learned well enough in the past. In the end, I relearned a valuable lesson; buy the book before the coin.</p><p><br /></p><p>I took my time, read up on the series, and now I thoroughly enjoy hunting down quality examples of the numerous proofs, patterns, and restrikes of the English Soho copper coinage. This has become my primary area of focus, and I do not see that changing anytime in the foreseeable future. I remained patient and eventually found an example that checked all of the boxes for me. This particular example was part of the Frank Robinson collection before finding its new home with me, and I could not be happier to have acquired it.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1109407[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1109408[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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