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The earliest reference to this variety that I can find, was reported by David Sealy in his Coins Varieties colume in Coins and Medals in February 1969. With regard to the estimated totals, V,R,Court in his series, Major Varieties of U.K. Pennies 1902-1967, in the August 1972 issue of Coin Monthly, estimates c.55,500 examples were produced. He looked at 3,403 example of 1908 penny and found 6 examples. He does caution that the "small levels of incidence provide very unreliable bases for calculating accurate mintages. However, they probably indicate that only one die of each of these particular varieties was in use."

Maybe not, but perhaps the mindset was different then. Besides which, I'd say that if it's an obviously intentional difference, or differences, such the the progression through four types, of the F164, 164A, 165 and 166, then they are distinct types, albeit the differences are slight, but nonetheless recognisable. This surely lends importance. If Peck had discovered and published details of the 164A in 1958, I'd lay odds there's be a lot more around than there currently are. Same with mules where there are obviously incompatible reverse/obverse pairings. There have been enough minted for us to know that the minting was intentional, whether due to a broken obverse/reverse die necessitating the temporary substitution of an out of date die, or other reason. Same again with overstrikes whether intentional as a result of "good housekeeping", or arising from operator error. They are all distinct types which have gained popularity over the decades. Where it starts to get flaky is with tiny unintended differences such as sloping final ones on the 1861 or the far 4 on an 1864 crosslet. Quite a lot of these minor variations around - of interest, but not so much as to warrant separately trying to categorise them.

What's this price guide she's using? If her 1887s are 'sitting' at these valuations then lord knows what everything else must be valued at. We all must be holding riches beyond our wildest imaginings... First thing tomorrow morning I shall swap my inverted 1 1820 sixpence for a winged unicorn (unipegasus?), just because I can afford to, then flutter about showering the hoi polloi with the beneficence which would be my half-chewed Greggs vegan sausage rolls. Er, no rubbish mind, we're talking king size here. Make sure you're up and out early...

In Sealy's 1970 Review of British Coin Varieties 1816 - 1968 (presumably published at the end of 1969) he gives this a rating of "very rare". To give an indication, this is also what he rates the 1926ME penny.

Thanks Jerry, Mike & Chris. I can see that it is a completely different beast to a forum, but based on what I see, I have to be somewhat cynical about the level of control a person has over their membership. If I search RP Coins and Facebook, I get a link to my own account despite never having had an account, so this must have been made by Facebook and without login details have no control over it, but presumably you can all join my group if you so desire. I also get referrals from Facebook, as my website tells me that people viewed an average of 7.2 pages and stayed for less than a minute using this route. So much for being in control. Still, each to their own I guess. Better let the conversation revert to the original topic.

Not very much better! After all, this is the person who doesn't realise that Bob Marley had an "e" in his name..

Unsold of course and relisted. It's now withdrawn (for the time being) after a couple of bid retractions.

"STUNNING TONE". True - the sight of it was like being struck with a blunt instrument. She was lucky to get £98 for it, with or without assistance...