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Like many of his novels, Charles Dickens’ A Tale Of Two Cities was actually first serialised in two local newspapers. It was the Bicester Times, it was the Worcester Times.

To my knowledge there are 4 different die pairings found for 1845; the type with the die crack to the left of the neck is by far the most common of the 4. I have also heard it referenced as the 'broken 5' variety; the date also has the numeral 1 re-struck. Another feature of this variety is the clear repair to the first letter I in VICTORIA.

You're probably not aware of the wonderful Pandora's box of penny varieties that you've just opened and you'll have a fantastic time exploring and discovering these. Enjoy the journey.

My first george v and vic pennies. Not the best, but they will do for starters:

Rather pleased with this 1845 Penny bought as an upgrade at an auction last week:

Can't beat a bit of fresh mackerel.

Sub fine. Between fair and fine IMO.

No, it is not fine. Couldn't resist the pun. 😀 I agree with Peck that it is Fair. I think you are starting the hobby in the correct way. Getting some inexpensive coins in low grades is a good way to learn grading.

A little better than Fine I think.

Just a bit of a bang, I think. My own similar date has a straight 4.

I picked this one up yesterday. An 1843 half farthing. Rather pleased with it: 1826 farthing:

100% agreed. Great book for beginners, intermediate and advanced. Always a useful reference.

I edited my reply to point you to the book on grading (see banner ad above) - worth its weight in gold!

Sadly, it's not even Fine - I'd say Fair, as you can see the main outline and all of the legend. Here's a VF one I found on the internet: Don't make the classic mistake of saying "for its age" - wear is assessd the same whether a coin is from Charles II or Elizabeth II. It's only when you go further back to hammered coins that different criteria come into play. But keep going - the best way is to learn from mistakes, just don't make expensive ones! And enjoy the coins you've got, no matter what the grade they are. Talking of grading, Derek Allen's book on grading British Coins (see banner ad above) is priceless for learning. Even most of us 'old hands' have it.

Its nice to see new collectors , Good luck with your future finds.

There will be no shortage of doctors if we start training man's best friend for the job.

A politician visited a remote little rural village and asked the inhabitants what the government could do for them. “We have two big needs,” said the village headman. “First, we have a hospital but no doctor." The politician whipped out his mobile, spoke for a while and then said: “I have sorted it out. A doctor will arrive here tomorrow. What is your other need?” “We have no mobile reception at all in our village.”

Any chance of a bigger picture please Eric ?

I've just read this thread, and am now going to have quiet lie down.

Richard's must be penny acquisition of the year, but I'll just class my DNW wins as ordinary acquisitions of the week. The first is the F46, 1863 die No 3 under date. I've wanted a die No under date for a very long time. Didn't quite have enough dough for the die No 4 in the Waterbird collection. So when I saw this one, I just knew I had to have it. Well worth the cost:- (sorry, made a bit of a cock up uploading the images to start with)

That is a great looking coin, Richard. But graded at nearly ef?

Farmers Markets are still popoular

A recent purchase from eBay. 25mm X 21mm. In lead. Closest I can find via Google is a 'General Fairfax medal ' in gold, held at the British Museum. No sign of a suspension loop on this piece tho.