Leaderboard

But even then the absent ‘H’ could be due to die fill. If it wasn’t for the unique (for 1882) die pairing, would we be so confident with the agreed ‘no H’ variety? The couple of ‘no H’ 1876 are generally accepted as die fill. I suppose a reasoned judgement published by a top expert , a Freeman or Gouby equivalent, would have to be the determining factor in the absence of contemporary records. Jerry

In the late 60's there was plenty of pre 47 silver about although I don't recall pre 20. There was also a lot of Vicky WH and Ed V11 pennies usually worn.Hardly any 1/2d's though. The highlight of beach holiday's were the amusement arcades where I would snaffle anything interesting (armed with my 4 check your change mini books) Post 71 I was more interested in using old 1/2d's in the 2p cash falls and crane grabs...I've always been a bit of a "loose cannon"

Chris Finch of DNW asked me to look at the 1882 no H penny at the MCF yesterday. There is no visible evidence of the ‘H’ under the loupe but I also felt it was a little ‘dished’ under the date. No recent shenanigans, but as it is one of those coins that has considerable surface patination it is quite possible that the ‘H’ might have been lost. Either that, or a filled die, as the obverse is clearly ‘wrong’ for the ‘no H’ as we recognise it, though I don’t know that can be entirely written in stone. My advice was that if they do try to sell it, an explanation of the reservations about its authenticity would have to be included in the description, then the punters can make up theit own minds. Not one for me. The links can be found above. Jerry

Him thinking a Shakespeare quote is a 'slogan' is amusing, and, of course, it's 'glisters'.......as any fule kno. Anyone fancy a pint in the Pedantic Bastard later on?

So thank you JLS it is a coin of Aragon and I am really pleased. This coin was bought with a batch lot of low quality 'pirate' copper cob coins of the 17th and 18th century and because I couldn't identify it it was stored away and forgotten. I honestly thought it was much younger 'fake' coin or medallion and two other website I contacted did say it wasn't a genuine coin at all. So finding out that it is an early 16th century hammered spanish coin from Aragon is really interesting. This is by far the oldest and most intriguing coin I own. Thank you so much Michael

I got this reply from the fitzwilliam museum. They were so helpful and I'm really thankful to all those who help "Thank you for your enquiry. Your coin is a billon dinero of Joanna and Charles (1506-1516) from Barcelona. The obverse inscription begins after the crown of the bust IOA. KAR. OLV, and the reverse reads BA/CA/NO/VA. Catalogue no. 2974. Ref. Adolfo, Clemente y Juan Cayon, Las Monedas Espanolas (Madrid, 2005) Best wishes, Richard"

I got a 1912 Half Sovereign in change in place of a penny in about 2005 - but I guess that doesn't really count!

Got a Denarius ca 2nd century as I recall in change in place of a small 5p ca 2010 - sadly it was a fake. Luv Dave

Collect Civil War pounds and half-pounds and you will have a ready supply of ammunition to hand

If memory serves me right, up to about 2001, 1853 proof pennies were more expensive than their 39 counterparts. Then over the next few years the 53s lost value. I thought at the time this was mainly due to the fact that of the few examples until the late 2000's to come to market, there weren't any good ones that I spotted. eg Colin Adam's (Spink 2003) had a big spot in front of the bust, and I think that started a trend which has only been reversed in the last few years. Of course there may have been other reasons, eg first year of issue of Vic pennies and a proof-only date, but the 39 is about twice as common as the 53, so the 53 should hold it's own to say the least. The 1841's are slightly heavier on thicker flans than most of the other proof pennies (that I've seen) so is a distinctive type. Sometimes people sell the no colon variety as a proof, but I don't know if the examples are 100% credible.

I have an E book called The Identification of British 20th. Century Silver Coin Varieties which discusses all the varieties of the 1928 halfcrown obverses and reverses with photos also including the rocking test described in this thread. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Identification-British-Century-Silver-Varieties/dp/1445753014I Perhaps this may be of use for this discussion.

Our Ruby, warming her backside on a charging iPad.

Took this one from my brothers back garden in May last year in Scotland