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Yikes, I know Bernie et al get a bit upset as I say this but I don't see how we can be sure "no H" 1882s were not struck with other die combos. And whether the coin was struck in Heaton without the requisite "H" or London correctly with no mintmark would seem to be somewhat moot unless one attempted to match with metallurgy (even then would be a problem as I recall that planchet blanks derived from different sources). The coin would be a "no H" in either instance. If all accepted 1882 "H"s came from one particular die combo, it would seem logically to indicate that those are "no H" specimens but do not preclude another, or even multiple die combination(s) - though it does seem a bit farfetched; the point being that a particular coin or its brethren from the same die are what they are and do not directly exclude other possibilities. Another interesting bit are examples in other series such as the 1922 US cent with "no D" that in fact was a Denver mint product wherein it was said the die was filled but evidently was struck by different dies!?!

SEM - scanning electron microscopy. Linus Pauling many years ago used to use this showing white cells ingesting viruses & the like, but can be used on larger objects at lesser mag. The University near me wanted to charge 350 quid for the service. There should be other imaging technology though.

Some date gaps, and I'm a little dubious about the 1882 no H, but this is more than made up for by the exceptional quality elsewhere. All I can do is save a bit between now and then, and go all out for one specimen. Wouldn't be able to afford more than one, especially with the 17% buyer's premium on top. Don't want to lose out completely on this rare opportunity though.