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Die crack shown in last photo.

I don't think we can put this down to recycled shell casings. Just very poor quality control of blanks - there are lamination flaws congruent with the brassy streaks on this 1936 penny

Firstly, many thanks to Chris for letting me post details here. It feels more like letting my mates know, than out and out advertising, so I don't feel too guilty! I've now been advised of the following timetable: Tuesday 3rd May (probably late afternoon); the catalogue and full details will appear on the Colin Cooke website. The sale itself will run from 17-24th May. Steve

Basically, VIP proofs were produced in very limited numbers for specific people and to a higher standard than the regular proof sets for general distribution. Some of these are seriously rare, others less so, though no accurate population statistics have ever been disclosed by the RM. For years other than the general issues you are very unlikely to encounter them. They stand out like a sore thumb with the frosted detail.

Just google 'eBay snipe', there are plenty of sites and they'll walk you through it

I'm glad you didn't pay too much for that 1934, when the seller first got it back from CGS it went up on eBay with an £800 buy it now price! Ludicrous. 1934 is probably my favourite year in the penny denomination, this side of 1900. It's extremely underrated and one of the few years I would buy duplicates of even though I already have a few examples. Here are the 2 of my best;

These four are probably my best first world war year's half crowns but it seems to be the case that if the obverse strike is good the reverse strike is weak. I am still looking for upgrades.

George V Pennies: The 1934 penny, as a couple of other denominations of 1934, are much rarer than most people think. I have only ever had 3 specimens; my current specimen being a choice UNC which is MS64 or CGS 80. The list value I have for this is £ 90 but I paid £ 170 for it from a fellow collector who was selling his whole collection. Some times you really have to want a coin and take what you feel is some financial pain to obtain the almost unobtainable. PWA1967 has a UNC 1934 penny. I personally only have 3 other friends who have one. On the CGS site they have only ever graded 11 specimens and on PCGS they have graded only 4 so thats 15 graded coins within the two companies. Other GV pennies I feel are rare based upon the fact I have not managed to find one yet are: 1911 - I of Britt points to a tooth which hollow neck 1915 - Dies 2+B with recessed Ear 1926 - First Head. Thinner font 9 and 6 in date giving a wiry appearance 1929 - Proof (Freeman 202) 1930 - Proof Dies 5+C (Freeman 204) 1931 - Proof Dies 5+C (Freeman 206) 1932 - Bronze Proof Dies 5+C (Freeman 208) 1934 - Waves missing to left of Britannia 1935 - Proof Dies 5+C (Freeman 213) 1935 - Extra small vertical line in centre of the emerge line A couple of other rare coins which I have only ever managed to find low grade specimens are: 1913 - Dies 2+A - The colon dots after IMP almost directly aligned and a wider dye on the reverse 1919 - Heaton Mint - Dies 2+B (Freeman 186) 1926 - Modified Effigy (Freeman 195) In my mind Pennies are such wondrously interesting coins upon which I could discuss for hours. My main passion are the Edward VII pennies of which before recently joining this site I thought there were 26 variations but now I know there to be around 60 ! I began collecting coins at around 4yrs of age and being 50+ now I genuinely believe that a coin collector needs a least 2 life times to amass a perfect collection or a lottery win. Keep searching those rummage boxes at coin fairs :-)

That's because of the clean air act, it used to fall as soot.

nice crown Garrett

I have been relatively quiet this year so far with purchases, but I did pick up a new Queen Victoria silver medal this week. Of the 90+ silver medals commemorating the Diamond Jubilee and indexed in Laurence Brown's British Historical Medals, this is one of only 3 listed as RR (very rare, approximate mintage of 30-50 pieces). The relief on this medal in hand is just unreal -- I have no idea how many blows were required to strike it up fully on a medal press, but it is impressive. This is indexed by Brown as BHM-3535, and is indexed by Whittlestone & Ewing as #3062.