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My first what I would call 'passable' George I farthing

Like so. I believe these are Kettle pieces as another one of the "Beloved and Lamented" pieces (BHM 1379) is signed KETTLE under the bust. These came from a bulk lot a while back at Lockdales.

From my junk drawer so to speak, the following two pieces with similar psuedo-Wyon busts: both by Kettle and Son, Birmingham presumably, based on style - note that they are definitely by the same manufacturer as the same defective E punch has been used in the name of GEORGE. I may well have others lying around somewhere...

I bet Chisholm will find out. A V.A.T. on the slate please Dave....

By a strange coincidence, I put up a post in 'Free for All' about this- a 1953 penny, the last picture looking like a proof, all the others looking a bit ragged. Seller insists it's the same coin. So tricky, hence the common use of the 'better in the hand' phrase.... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283678826780?ul_noapp=true

What a difference lighting can make when buying or selling a coin. Good natural pictures can make all the difference on your choice of a coin. Below images of a recently bought 1880 Farthing for my collection. 1st Images taken by Seller: 2nd Images taken by me with daylight lamps. 3rd Images taken by me again using daylight lamps with reduced brightness at slightly different angles.

"Twenty five notes John, twenty for cash..."

Indeed. But in addition to decent photos, dealers should offer at least 14 days upon delivery for cancellation which I think is the law regarding distance selling. I agree that it is very annoying if defects such as hairlines, verd, past cleaning, artificial toning, etc are not mentioned. Being able to return a coin is not really an excuse not to mention such things. I do get the impression that some sellers are very accurate with grading lower values coins but are more generous when grading high value pieces. It's up to them but I would rather people don't do things like that. Different dealers have different reputations. There is nothing wrong in my view with sellers aiming to make say 100% profit compared to what they paid in auctions. If a dealer is on the lookout of real bargains on auctions and sell at high profit margins, then that is their choice. Sellers aiming to make about 30% profit margin would find it much easier to buy stock and will have much faster turnaround times. Just different business models and one buys from sellers sharing his philosophy.

I agree, and particularly I feel "going cashless" represents the ultimate victory for the big-brother nanny state we now find ourselves living in. If everything is done on a card, the banks and by extension the government and anyone else bothered to find out, know exactly where we are and what we are doing all of the time. At that point I think I will go and find some jungle to live in somewhere, miles form this dysfunctional world!