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The standard works on George VI pennies list three reverses:- A - The sea level on the right extends to the centre of a border tooth; the upright limbs of N in ONE point to teeth (5 teeth from limb to limb); the exergual line consists of a large raised line with a very fine second line below it - 1937 only B - Similar to Reverse A except that the sea level on the right now extends to just above a border tooth; the two upright limbs of N in ONE both points to a gap; there are 4 complete teeth between the limbs. - 1937 to 1940 (the 1940 with reverse B is usually referred to as "single exergue line" C - Similar to Reverse B except that the exergual line is in lower relief – 2 fine lines separated by an incuse groove; the waves just above the exergue have been retouched and are now separate from the exergual line. - This reverse was used from 1940 to 1951. - the 1940 with reverse C is referred to as "double exergue line" C* - Is the notation used by both Groom, and the new Freeman to describe the variety of the 1944 penny with the terminal 4 pointing to the centre of a wave. Although recut waves are cited for C* , both references list reverse C for dates 1945-1951. I propose that C* is significantly different from C to warrent it's redefinition as die D. The exergue lines are now clearly double, making them much easier to see than on the 1940 & 1944 reverse C. The waves are sharply recut and are clear of the exergue lines. This die is used 1944 to 1951. I would argue that the 1944 varieties are not a trivial date width variation but two distinct dies

All the talk about Michael Freeman sale has made me look at a box i have. Mr Freeman first copy of ........The Bronze coinage of Gt.Britain was done in 1970. Before computers etc. I Have some original printing blocks that ......if forum members want one will sell for £25 each including postage. They are wood with copper and a chance to own a block you will never see again. I can only sell a few and your going to have to leave to me what i send as not taking pictures of all of them Pete.

Really love the golden lustre!

It contains the raw numbers of each variety found (though obverses 2 and 3 in the book are swapped from the current book). Definitely worth getting a copy.

Well, it's not a penny but a halfpenny MS64

One of the things I find interesting is the basic orientation of the Royal Mint vis-a-vis this coin in comparison with the U.S. Treasury and their attitude toward the 20 Dollar gold piece of 1933. The RM could find no evidence of it being stolen so it must be OK, whereas the US has stated because there are no records of the gold piece being issued that it must be stolen - even though all weights and counts were correct at the time, and that there was technically a window that these could be exchanged for.... And how about the various VIP proofs such as the 1952 half crown where no records available as to how or circumstances of it leaving the mint. What do readers think that the 1954 penny would make in an auction today; or the 1952 penny or the mentioned half crown??

I received my DNW auction lots today, and in the Peck that I won, there was a very interesting document from the Empire Coin company about the probably unique 1954 penny. Take a look:-

When I was a rookie collector, I made mistakes and forked out on some overpriced coins. But I never whined and complained about it, as though it were somebody else's fault. I simply observed, learned, did more reading, researched my field and improved my expertise. As time moved on, I even started to pick up some bargains. When building my collection, I've even taken the hit from the money spent on an earlier coin, by upgrading that specimen. It's because our interest tends to override the cost. Indeed, most coin collectors are in it for the actual coins themselves, and have no intention of actually selling them anyway. Or would only do so if they genuinely needed the money for other things.

I suspect that many people may be fooled into thinking that a slabbed "reject" wouldn't be faked.

Recent Sixpence purchase, decent proof example.

Pennies 1944 - 1951 - all with recut waves

Yes, I'm obsessed, I know! New camera from Coinery, and I think my best yet pics of the difficult-to-capture 1902 matt proof crown