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This arrived today.

Out, because the present system is unworkable operating as it does under disingenuous aims. The objective of ever closer union is at odds with a successful union, because there are 28 countries, each with their own agenda - so a politically unified Europe is not going to happen. It might just have been possible to have a single political unit at the outset with the 6 founding countries, but the time wasn't right. Now it certainly isn't. This country joined a trading area, designed to ease the flow of goods and services. This is desirable. What you have now is a group of countries with wildly different economies, but no political structure to ensure that problems are resolved. The poorer Euro countries are nowhere near the economic position of Germany, which in turn is able to sell its goods more easily than it should because the tail is wagging the dog, i.e. their trade should be based on a stronger Euro than it actually has to use. So the physical centre (a bonus in itself) and workhouse of Europe becomes stronger by the day as it is selling too cheaply due to the discontinuities of European economics to the detriment of the periphery. Unless you can equalise the economies of Europe, the Eurozone is doomed to failure. It is doomed to failure because nobody is willing to cede absolute sovereignty to a group of unelected blokes (and women) in Brussels. The European Community (etc) has been going for over half a century, but nobody dare suggest political and economic union, which is the prerequisite for it to be successful. All have a misguided belief that we are better being closer together without crossing the drawbridge and willingly pulling it up behind themselves. Basically, I think a unified Europe is probably the right tool for the job if they wish to have a greater voice as an economic force, but the operators are incapable of using it correctly. Therefore, it is better for all if it were to return to the trading area we all joined 40+ years ago. Whether Europe allows that is a different matter, but a reduction in the power of Brussels would benefit most people in the EU, profligate spending being the order of the day. It is too unwieldy to be efficient, or accountable. This country can stand on its own two feet just as most others could too if they chose. What would be required however, is a change in the mindset of people from today's dependency culture to one of can and must do, which is a moral compass issue at the end of the day.

No I'm not. I just read books, match images and absorb the info - something within the reach of anyone if they are willing to take the time. A copy of North (2 vols), Withers' various hammered small coin references, or even a copy of Spink's annual tome will permit the identification of most things. For £20-30 you can cover pretty much all the coinage of this country and certainly those you are likely to encounter. Persuading people to read and learn is the biggest obstacle.

great short movie with surprising end!! Should remind us all to keep peace in Europe

As others have said, maybe send it back with written descriptions of what a F9 mule actually is. Presumably you sent it in the first place, with no accompanying description?

MBE I've just seen your bid on Auctionsneeker.com and regret my bid on the coin is the highest.Fingers X I get it. You missed a good example.

They are often 5% proper collectors and dealers and 95% change decimal collectors who have little clue or serious interest in pre-decimal. Our very own Chris is a member of many of them (in fact I bought something off him the other day via Facebook),as are many other members on here. The best one is probably "English coins for sale and wanted" but as I say there are many posts about decimals and territories and non-coin stuff so it takes some time, and unlike this forum it is difficult to search or use as a resource.

More jealous! I draw the line at Faceache groups, but that makes me think twice. It's better than my high tide.

Last one for tonight, and one that I forgot to put on the revised list of halfpennies - will do for the next edition. A halfpenny struck on a piece of brass bar when the mint relocated from Tower Hill to Iver during WW2. Used to test the striking pressure as I understand.

Reverse looks very proofy, the obverse not. As I have posted elsewhere, this is a vintage for the Royal Mint that very prooflike silver was struck. I have seen some offered as proofs even from non-standard years that IMO are not. Not well-worded, but I feel a coin has to prove its proof status to be accepted as such. BTW, a nice coin there!

They might re-slab and re-assign it for free if you speak to them. If you break it out they might not.. What a pain in the arse though, I know they're American slabbers but it's not exactly a micro variety!

Haha I would prefer a lesser grade coin over one verd or corrosion.

Wouldn't particularly bother me, for research purposes I would rather have the higher grade with faults, however I do inevitably end up trying to replace these with a fault free example with time, but like Jaggy I have given up rushing...good things come to those who wait

For the lunatics of the forum ....Wafer biscuits and vimto will be served in ten minutes. Happy hour medication will be round on a trolley soon. Can we get back to sensible answers

Here is my contribution to the Half Penny Thread!