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 Replies: 31 / Views: 4,016 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
I put in a lowball bid (I was a bit of a bad person with my tactical bidding...) and I was surprised to find I won the lot. The note is dated 21st March 1931. This was before metal detectors came about, so these coins probably cost the guy a bundle. A whole bunch of types I want. Byzantine follis, a gorgon head, Indo Scythians. And the note is the icing. And for only £8!      The title says 'Need researching' - it comes with a note giving full identification! Might frame the letters and make a mount for the coins. Ill never split the lot. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
A wonderful group. The original handwritten note makes it simply fantastic! Congratulations :)
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
What a great acquisition!
I think that proper framing is one of the best ways to ensure those hand-written notes will survive.
You definitely have the makings of a great display.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
Flashmans Hotel in 1918, it has been rebuilt since, but I bet it looked pretty much the same when the notes were written.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
Not been able to get Mr Martin's names, but he was a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers and was in India and might have fought in Waziristan. There is a medal card on Ancestry. There is also a PDF file on the net which is part of the London Gazette 29 July 1930 which states Lt. M. F. C. Martin to be Capt. 17th. July 1930.
If you google "M F C Martin" a result comes up for the British Museum, so he may have donated some of his loot. If you contact them, you might get somewhere, it will add to the provenance.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
In fact if you google "M F C Martin" (including the quotes) you will find stack of stuff on him. He seems to have written books, so he may have doucmented this find in 1931. I will leave the rest to you.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
With document provenance, you paid perhaps less than 5% of their total value.
The seller has probably learned a lesson, unless they knew little about them to begin with.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
I don't know if he actually wrote any books himself, but he was obviously considered an authority. He appears in footnotes of other publications. I will leave it up to Ben to track it down further.
I bet the seller doesn't have a clue!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Most definitely, such a group with the notes deserve to remain together.
It adds spice to collecting.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
582 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4964 Posts |
i really dig that they came with the letter. I'm always curius about who has had my coins...in a a way I suppose they really aren't ours, we're their stewards for the time being..someone else will have them some day.
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Pillar of the Community
Netherlands
1204 Posts |
Yes its really weird.. but thats something about every collection. Relatives sell their stuff and we might be lucky.. thats why I told my wife where she can find a document of my collection and estimated values :-D
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Huh...the seller wants to cancel the transaction. The reason:
'item could not sell for that amount'
Now, I'm usually an understanding person, but the fact that it took them over 2 days to do this, the note is short and unapologetic and the fact that they listed the item at a low price really doesn't make me want to cancel it. What should I do here? I'm pretty tempted to deny the cancellation - had they had a sorry, a please (or any other form of communication other than those 7 words, id have said shoot and cancelled. But its very poor show and ill be honest, I'm after those coins.
I think I might deny the cancellation and offer him an additional £10. See if he comes back with an actual message.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
That's weird. I'm not very experienced with eBay-- is that allowable? Can a seller just change his/her mind like that? Seems like they entered into a contract with you and should have to honor it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4964 Posts |
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Replies: 31 / Views: 4,016 |
Posted 11/29/2013 09:54 am
