Irregular Postings on Coin Collecting & Numismatics - Both Canonical & Conanical

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Category Archives: Coins – Circulating

Coins in Circulation or Pocket Change

Oops! They Did It Again!

Oops! They Did It Again!

“Possibly there is some mistake.”

– The Adventure of the Creeping Man”

We have come across another minting error involving one of the 2019 United Kingdom Sherlock Holmes 50 pence coins. Unlike the clipping errors we highlighted in our April 2020 post, this coin has two separate and entirely different errors.

First, right above Sherlock’s deerstalker cap, this coin had something laying on top of it as the coin was being struck between the two dies. This is known as a strike-thru error.

Then, we have the second error to the left of the word “Baskervilles.” A portion of the planchet has peeled away, which is a lamination erro and is caused by contaminants in the alloy that cause the metal to separate along the horizontal plane.   Lamination errors can develop before or after the strike.

It is unusual to have two different minting errors on the same coin and that does increase this coin’s value. That being said, this coin is currently available for purchase on “a major online marketplace” and can be founding by searching for “Sherlock Holmes Mint Error.”

The current asking price is just under $9,000 USD. We would suggest taking advantage of the “Make offer” feature on this auction lot and suggest something in the low three-figures instead. Good luck!

Lapel Pins from Elementary’s Sherlock

Lapel Pins from Elementary’s Sherlock

“… spoke of the meticulous care in dress for which he was famous.” – The Adventure of the Illustrious Client (ILLU) Lucy Liu and Jonny Lee Miller – Elementary Season 2 promo picture The internet is a vast and wondrous place. Having a little bit of free time lately, your editior has found online collections… Continue Reading

Some Mistakes Were Made

Some Mistakes Were Made

“Possibly there is some mistake.” – The Adventure of the Creeping Man” During the process of striking several thousand coins for circulation, it is quite likely that few error coins will slip through. One of the most common errors to be found are incomplete planchet errors, more commonly known as “clips.” As the above illustration… Continue Reading

I Struck This 50 Pence Coin

I Struck This 50 Pence Coin

“… like any other tourist …” – The Hound of the Baskervilles (HOUN) From June 28, 2019, until September 23, 2019, visitors to the Royal Mint Experience in Wales had the opportunity to strike their very own 2019 50 pence coin that featured Sherlock Holmes. Visitors were able to strike one coin per day and… Continue Reading

Wear a 2019 Sherlock Holmes 50 Pence Coin as a Ring

Wear a 2019 Sherlock Holmes 50 Pence Coin as a Ring

“… who came for the ring which I advertised?” – A Study in Scarlet (STUD) For those who want to decorate themselves and share their love of Sherlock Holmes and numismatics, it is now possible to wear a ring crafted from a 2019 United Kingdom Sherlock Holmes 50 pence coin. Examples can currently be found avaiable on… Continue Reading

The Coinage of Sherlock Holmes (2013)

The Coinage of Sherlock Holmes (2013)

Sherlock Holmes was the fictional consulting detective of Victorian England invented by the author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Immensely popular in the days of his publication, Sherlock Holmes remains an icon of literature, detective procedure, and adventure, known to almost everyone today through the original stories and numerous modern adaptations in literature and on the… Continue Reading

Coinage Portraits of a “Certain Gracious Lady”

Coinage Portraits of a “Certain Gracious Lady”

“… it was a present from a certain gracious lady …” – The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans (BRUC) There are numerous references to coins sprinkled throughout the sixty stories of the Canon. I find it helpful to visualize the design of the coins and the other items mentioned in the stories as I am reading.… Continue Reading

Hey Buddy – Want to Buy a Watch?

Hey Buddy – Want to Buy a Watch?

“Holmes had taken out his watch …” – A Study in Scarlet (STUD) Since the 2019 Sherlock Holmes 50 pence coins was released we have reported examples being altered with decals, placed in special holders, made into keychains and bells. Now, you can buy a watch with the coin as the design. Currently being offered in… Continue Reading

Financial Anaylsis of “The Man With the Twisted Lip”

Financial Anaylsis of “The Man With the Twisted Lip”

“Every pocket stuffed with pennies and half-pennies….” – The Man With the Twisted Lip (TWIS)   “Every pocket stuffed with pennies and half-pennies….” “For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no less than 26s. 4d. “… had a writ served… Continue Reading

TFG Issues Souvenir Card at Norwegian Explorers Conference

TFG Issues Souvenir Card at Norwegian Explorers Conference

“… at this conference.” – The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone (MAZA) Our friends at the Norwegian Explorers of Minnesota held their triennial conference this past week with the theme of “Dark Places, Wicked Companions and Strange Experiences.” Friday, August 9 also happened to be the fifth anniversary of our group’s founding. To celebrate the event,… Continue Reading