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I'm not sure if anyone else has seen this publication but the summer issue I got at yesterdays flea fair by chance is quite an interesting read.....

I've just filed a report to Action Fraud, let's see what happens.

As I've now virtually completed the Edward VII and George V series of pennies (with one or two notable exceptions) I decided I would buy the entire series of George VI currency issue pennies, in one go if possible, and so scanned e bay for worthy candidates. Bought the lot bar one, apart from distinguishing between the three 1937, and two 1940 Freeman types. Can do that later. Of course, with George VI, the prices are much, much lower than with previous reigns, and there's a plethora to choose from. This means you can pretty much take your pick. So I decided my criteria would not necessarily be to relentlessly pursue BU full lustre in every case, but instead concentrate on eye appeal and most importantly, obtaining issue free specimens. I managed this successfully, including 1950 and 1951, with one exception, the 1944. To be sure, there were a large number of 1944's available, but the quality was slightly disappointing. Another day for that one, and the different Freeman types, but overall very pleased. Just got to wait for them to arrive now. Hope there's no hitches in that direction.

Not sure if this 1826 Twopence coin is rare or not with the error. I did at one time have an 1825 Trittaniar error coin.

There are so many of these who’s makers are unknown but I believe this is Hans Fonck 1577-1603.

Or brothers and sisters

Encased US coin here if anyone interested

That's an old forgery - possibly contemporary. So far I've seen 1841, 1844 and 1846, all with the same reverse.

I don't think so. Medals tend to have greater detail because they are a commemorative piece with a story to tell. Currency coins are working objects where the main concern is to strike as many coins from a die, in which case too much detail is a hindrance because it fills. You are looking at the solutions to two different problems.

I have had the opportunity to go through 33 proof 1998 pennies. Of this group there were: 26 Type 1 reverse C 7 Type 2 reverse C Within the 26 Type 1 there were 8 doubled die obverse. They were all the same doubled die which mostly showed as extra thickness and small notches on "IRB".

Not quite "penny acquisition of the week" territory. But still I'm very pleased with this 1921 F191. Zero ghosting, very good breastplate detail, and very good hair detail to the King's head as well. Great value GEF completely issue free bargain for just £5.00 from e bay seller hollingtonmoss. A well above average specimen from the poorly struck ghosting period of George V.

One point in their favour is that they did accept an offer from me once that was substantially below their asking price. It pays to haggle with them.

For those who have not yet read the latest issue of Coin News, there is an excellent article written by Richard Sessions on the rare George V pennies of 1922-26.

I write and/or proof read Latin based languages for a number of publications. It doesn't keep the wolf from the door, but it slows the bugger down a bit. My colleagues translating from Russo/Bulgarian tongues are making a lot more than me for the present. Pro tip: If you want your children to support you in your old age get them learning, Turkish, Korean and Portuguese

One thats a bit different (daft ) that i bought last week. A couple of other different types have been touted about recently but only wanted one 😉

Sorry I never replied about this topic but I have been away for 4 months with very poor/no internet. My BoI 6 shillings is a fake found this one on ebay just before I went away. If you look carefully it's an exact copy of the one I acquired (minus the scratch on the cheek) at least this one was labeled honestly as a copy, think it was a US seller. Feel sorry for my Father who brought it for me, at a general auction, a couple of years back for book price, I had peaked his interest a few weeks earlier after chatting about the history of the Bank Token series. Other giveaways its fake, it is the same weight and diameter as the genuine item but is noticeably thicker by approx 0.5 mm. Thanks for all your replies guys which made me look harder. Phill

I noticed this facility when trawling through the Royal Mint website recently, and thought I would punt some reasonably standard questions to see what the response was. Lo and behold within just a couple of days, I got a response. here is a copy and paste of the e mail exchange, minus my details:- Think up some useful questions guys. It appears the world is your oyster !!! Freedom of information link

I wish I'd asked about the 1952 when I made a Freedom of Information Request in 2011. Joseph Payne, the then Assistant Curator, said with regard to the 1954, that he was unable to say for certain whether only one had survived from a trial run of several hundred (the rest of which were presumably melted down). That post is here Unfortunately, I don't think he's there any more. He supplied a very cogent reply within a few days. The last two I've sent weren't replied to for several weeks and were pretty awful - the respondents clearly didn't have a clue how to answer my questions.

Neither is a genuine first issue. Fewer lines across the body is a giveaway.

This is what an Edward matt proof penny looks like...

I don't believe that for a moment - IMO def. NOT a proof!

I strongly suspect this is one of the fakes knocking around. I have several other examples - one of Magna Carta and one of the HMS Belfast. In each case the appearance at first is proof-like with very shiny fields and a cameo effect to the bust. Further examination turns up edge errors and other "not quite right" features.

Pardon the language, but this Viz advert sums it all up.