Leaderboard

I've developed an interest in British coinage if for no other reason than here in the U.S. (or at the very least in my region of the country) U.K.issues are very much something of a collecting backwater, and thus I find some really great material relegated to dealers' "bargain" bins. Case in point - this 1831 ".W.W" variety William IV penny turned up at a local (that being in my largely rural area a relative term, as it was still a sixty mile drive, one way) coin club sponsored show in a tray of "junk" coppers, and therefore cost me virtually nothing.

Iv just found this rare penny from the until now undiscovered '' HINTON '' Mint https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/One-penny-1912-The-rare-Hinton-Mint/153021969159?hash=item23a0d1f307:g:07MAAOSwDkta-bzR

They also all have the same nicks and scratches on the obverse. For example, the dent in George's forehead. Here are two examples that were sold by LCA: http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/?page=Pastresults&auc=144&searchlot=1652&searchtype=2 http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/?page=Pastresults&auc=144&searchlot=1653&searchtype=2

As far as I'm aware, all of the fakes have the same breaks in the circle above the P and E of PENSE.

Well I have let them all know those that have them for sale. I guess it is up to them what they do with the information

It is a fantasy coin retail of £5.49 . I have seen 6 on the bay ranging from £50-£250 some with bidders. I feel like I should put them wise as they all look like reputable sellers if there is such a thing on the bay. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FANTASY-COIN-1818-King-George-III-Half-Crown-1-2-NOVELTY-Coin-UK-dark-colour/173124271826

It looks good to me too, but the die axis and weight are a worry as we know there are Chinese copies with the inverted die axis. I think the check that needs to be made is the milling count. That's the one thing that can't be checked from pictures and the edge is something the Chinese tend to be sloppy on.

Please ignore Jon and his post above as unfortunately he is pissed

Bear in mind there were two quite distinct reasons for forgeries: the silver washed copper forgeries of George III silver between 1816-20 that SEUK collects and studies were done for the good old traditional purpose of trying to get rich quick. The huge number of forgeries of halfpennies between 1770 and after were MAINLY done because of the chronic shortage of base metal coins (the main reason that trade tokens were also minted in large numbers). And when you consider that there was only that short series (1770-1775) between 1754 and the cartwheels of 1797, then the issue of 1799, then 1806-7 and then nothing until George IV - you can begin to understand the scale of the problem.

I'm not convinced it is a beard from the image. The nose and forehead look reasonable, but the mushy centre could indicate die blockage or damage

Clearly with your wallet.

I know marketing is a tough game, but the following phrase 'Spink 2017 values at £375 in UNC condition no value given for Choice UNC-BU' is drivel. Spink don't list a value for choice unc-BU because there is no column with said description against which to post a value, and in any case, one man's choice BU is another man's ok or even a dog. The world expends and wastes vast amounts of energy trying to polish turds. Cut it out and you could reduce global warming.

Indeed Paddy, it's not even worth the P&P being charged. But then, maybe we're not taking into account the lifetime guarantee of authenticity. You can't put a price on peace of mind.