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This is one of the best conditioned hammered I have had from the river. Uncleaned and very pleasing in hand. Can anyone confirm what I think it is?

A good read with a nice cuppa tie.

Yes be prepared for that, but don't be disheartened. It happens to us all, even as you become more experienced. Sometimes you take a punt and it turns out to be nothing, other times not. It's all part of the fun.

Dealers' web sites, coin fairs, proper coin auctions - all with far superior stock and reliability compared to 99% of eBay. There are a number of highly recommended dealers on here, depending on your collecting focus and budget. I would not go out of my way to recommend the dealer you cite, from personal experience. Feel free to run a potential purchase past the experienced and helpful bunch on here, before you buy!

And better pics of this one

Better grade Masonic halfpenny token

This little copper token arrived in the mail today. I just finished photographing it. This is a US Civil War token (1861-1865), a part of the "patriotic token" grouping. It is indexed in Fuld's reference as F-164/312a, and is relatively common. This obverse token design often comes with lack of eagle feather detail, particularly flat or no feather detail on the eagle's legs, and soft or partial strike up of the "UNION" text on the shield. This example is very well struck, and I'm very happy with this one in hand (it surpassed my expectations of luster and quality given the so-so photos that were provided by the seller). I'm also including a close-up photo of some of the intricate die work on the obverse. It is the size of a USA small cent (~19mm diameter). Brandon US Civil War Token, Patriotic c. 1865 (F-164/312a, NGC MS64BN)

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;

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 :-)