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Having been active both in 2002 and in 2013 I think I can paint a picture of what the penny market was like about 15 years back. As I have mentioned previously the market then was very buoyant. The reason for this is simple you had far too many buyers with deep pockets then. We still have many buyers but I am of the opinion that they are not as many nuts (penny freaks) as there used to be in the early 2000s especially the ones that did not care too much about splashing out. Tony C put together an impressive collection in less than a decade and he could not have done it if he were bargain hunting. Crocker, Broothy, Workman, Bamford, Davies, Morgan and Charlie were just some of the names associated with pennies in those days. So, few people bought the lot, the rest had to keep looking. Let me give you an example when (a forum member’s) 1933 penny came up for sale I was among the many buyers trying to raise the 50k that was the initial asking price. I went to my bank to have my house re mortgaged to raise the 50k and by the time I had an agreement (within days) the asking price was 75k because the seller had offers in that region. I was not even in touch with the seller then, the news was through secondary sources. I am still in touch with the veterans, Davies in particular, but they have all got a pretty complete set (in high grades apart from the obvious 1933, 1952, 1954 or 1864 crosslet in unc) so many of these buyers are hardly interested in what comes to the market these days. If one of those true rarities comes to the market then I am sure we will witness carnage. Further in the last 10 years many major penny collections have come to the market (Alderney, Workman, Crocker, Bamford, Forest Park, ….). There is enough material for the second tier collector to be interested but nothing for the big boys. The last big penny to hit the market was the 1827 CGS 80 coin acquired by Boothy(?); and Davies who has a better specimen was the under-bidder. I also feel that we will not see another collection like the Gerald Jackson collection - mules in MS 64 RB, 1882 no H in 64 RB. That was a once in a lifetime opportunity that hardly any of us were interested in due to the poor quality of photographs. Re the Els collection I am hoping the seller gets a fair price but I am not too sure the current penny market is in the bull region.

Sold and Thank you again

Pete, this is a really difficult question to answer. I've found that I concentrate on proceedings so much that I don't really notice who else is bidding, and i don't know many penny collectors by sight. I do know that several major collectors have sold their collections over the last few years and I don't have much of a feel as to who will be competing for these latest coins. I would think that it is the people with extensive collections that WILL be prepared to pay over the odds for the coins that they really want. Bidders should be made to wear their names on their clothes like footballers !

At the NEC £1 to £1.50 Previously at the Meridian Hotel it could well of been free. At the end of the day the £2 isn't much.I would happily pay more with better amenities and visible security in the room and carpark. I would welcome any opinion from regular sellers who may bring 000's of £'s stock.I avoid the London fairs. The Wetherby fair (Cedar Court)at least has Hotel security. Maybe I'm faffing about nothing but it only needs to happen once. A table selling lotions for Coin Collectors stoop would also be welcome

Think I need to buy a lottery ticket this weekend! That 1879 with a "space shuttle" is one I've not seen before

Or should it be... ON'E I noticed it when writing the title, the dot flaws go in order; O'NE 1897 ON'E 1909 ONE' 1946 Now I just need a 'ONE FLAW

Added this one finally. Dot after N

I'll just have one last say on the subject as someone with an obsolete Chemistry degree from the sixties. Acetone (dimethyl ketone) is an excellent organic solvent that efficiently dissolves all sorts of organic (carbon-based) matter, which is why it's used as nail varnish remover. When applied to a coin it will dissolve some of the dirt into a solution that must be wiped off, otherwise the acetone will simply and swiftly evaporate (its boiling point is below normal room temperature) and leave the dirt, possibly in a different place. The acetone will not react with the metal content of the coin. Just putting acetone onto the coin and leaving it to evaporate will therefore not achieve anything. But it does aid the removal of surface matter which must be wiped off with a cotton bud or something soft. Rubbing the coin gently with a cotton bud soaked in acetone should remove much grime without scarring the surface. That's the science but everyone will have their beliefs and opinions which must be tolerated - that's life !!

I have weighed my 1967 heavy flan today and my scales registered 13.33 gm whereas it was catalogued at 13.43 gm - take your pick. The diameter is just about 3cm - measured with a school ruler so not over-accurate !