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At first glance there does not appear to be much of interest, just a small heptagonal coin with what appear to be identical obverses and reverses. There are however some interesting obverse varieties concerning the shape of the truncation, which follows similar changes on all the other decimal coins, especially during the period 1985 through 1992. There are also some very strange variations to William Gardner’s initials on the reverse. Obverse 1 1982 – 1984 Obverse 2 1985 – 1992 3rd portrait with a long pointed tip to truncation. When discussing 1992 varieties, this is known as the Small Head. Obverse 3 1986 – 1993 3rd portrait with a slightly rounded tip to the truncation and reshaped and slightly more curved lower edge. When discussing 1992 varieties, this is known as the Small Head. Obverse 4 1992- 1997 3rd portrait with a more pronounced rounded end to the truncation and an even more curved lower edge. The whole head has been recut and the hair particularly so. When discussing 1992 varieties, this is known as the Large Head. Obverse 5 1998 – 2008 4th portrait. I haven’t really looked at these obverses in any detail, so there may be varieties waiting to be found. Reverse A 1982 – 2008 The only variation to the reverse is the designer’s initials, which change in size and position. They are always the same for each year. Circulation, Brilliant Uncirculated Set and Proof Set are all the same. I keep expecting to find a hidden message similar to the Egyptian, British Protectorate coins. Time will tell! Keep thinking it may be semaphore! Anyway see W.G. Initials below. Summary and details. W.G. Initials. Each pic has my personal unique reference number. i.e. P1991-1, so Proof, year and coin #, or C1992-2, Circulation, 1992 coin #2. B stands for Brilliant Uncirculated. 1982-1987 1988-1989 1990-1992 1993-1997 1998-2001 2001-2008 Other notes Sometimes when studying Obverses, I’m certain that the B of ELIZABETH is vertical, or the base is to the left of centre, or it leans right etc. I really don’t know. I think I’m expecting to find something like the P of PENCE on the 50p reverse B. On some Reverses the leaves seem to be better cut and have corrugated edges, when on others they seem to have smooth edges.

Personal bugbears are: haitch rather than aitch could of rather than could have or could've tautologies such as various different another thing coming rather than another think coming Amongst many others...

Yes, prices of stuff are going to go crazy- anyone here seen nice campsite prices? Some are ridiculous! I think velcro prices will rise too, and that's always been a rip off....

Good observation, and a damn good point. I have a standard joke with a particular mate who likes wordplay. One of us will do something for the other. Then this is said: "Thank you! " "It's the least I could do" " Oh, thanks for doing the the least you could do"....exeunt stage left.

I spotted one of these at an antiques fair about 15 years ago @ Alexandra Palace once priced at £8 (it was about F). I managed to haggle down to £7 and sold it for £50 on EBay (fairly cheap - F was £200 in Spink at the time). I'd completed a date collection of farthings (excluding proofs etc) in the 1980's but sold up in the early 90's to concentrate on higher denominations - remembered how rare this one was when I saw it.

I come from probably the last generation of grammar school kids to be taught Latin and Greek as part of the standard curriculum. This possibly helped to shape my future as I went on to study language and subsequently linguistics. Latin was a constant help to me learning some of the Romance languages but Attic Greek? Not really a great deal of help in the modern world. That was until I went with my girlfriend of the time for a holiday just outside of Corinth. She worked with a Greek girl and we were to deliver a present to the Greek lasses mum in Athens. Well, it made for a nice day out and we could see a few bits of ancient architecture. This was all before the days of Google maps and all we had was an address. Written in English. Spotting a tourism kiosk, I asked if they had a street map.Voila, easy as that. Opened it up and easily found the street we were looking for. Why? Because the bloody map was in English. It was at this point that my long forgotten education kicked in as I realised that I could actually read the Greek road signs. Didn't help much when we later met Sophia's mum, as I still hadn't mustered a single word of demotic Greek.

This is an intriguing thread, which makes me want to bring up two issues. 1) My personal pet peeve is regarding those that say “I COULD care less”. I have always said “I COULDN’T care less” inasmuch as it, to me, is more logical. If you could care less, then it has at least some modicum of importance to you. If you couldn’t care less, then it is of the absolute least possible importance to you. Yet, for some reason, both are used interchangeably, and accepted as meaning the same thing. 2) Being neither a student nor scholar in either languages in general or specifically in Latin, I would ask whether the fact that the various Latin words in question are used in a sentence written in English would have any bearing on the issue. Would the Latin words that have entered the English language be subject to the rules of Latin Grammar or the rules of English grammar, or would a combination of correct Latin grammar and common English usage be the ultimate determinant of acceptable use? Would this be considered to be within the guidelines for the accepted evolution of a language?

The seller tells me that he has been notified of its rarity and withdrawn it for further investigation. Maybe it will reappear in a different guise? At least it doesn’t appear that he has been ripped off. Jerry

Don’t worry, you are forgiven! These things happen, and we move on. Jerry

Thanks for your understanding, Mike. Indeed, I have seen many, many other heads ups over the years on here that no-one has ever been reprimanded for which is why I didn't give it a second thought. I believe @secret santa might have clearance to remove things? Many years ago he kindly changed my user name for me...

We can all learn from it, Martin. In scrupulous fairness to you, I have seen similar heads up posts in the non private part of the forum, go unremarked upon. The problem is the very large amount of non member traffic through the forum, as can be seen if you ever click on the online users link. Even at 3am our time, as it reaches a global audience. Maybe @TomGoodheart could delete the post. Although he's not on here that frequently, and apart from Chris Perkins, we never see the others at all. Or once in a blue Moon. Although if you PM'd one, an e mail is sent out, which they might well see.

Caveat emptor Really getting into the swing of this now!!

I always thought that "data" was one of those words, like "sheep", which acted both as singular and plural. Just looked it up and it appears that "data" is, as you say, the plural, and "datum" the singular - who knew? Well obviously you did, but I must plead ignorance as I have never once heard the word "datum" before. Now I know.

CAN YOU TAKE THAT POST OFF PLEASE.

This is a really unhelpful post during an active auction when I and possibly other forum members are already bidding and watching. By tradition we do not post in a way that can affect others interests in ongoing auctions and I am most disappointed. We normally save comment until the auction is completed, and due time given for the lot to have been posted, other than in the ‘worst offerings’ scenario. Jerry

MDCCCLX Denarius Libertus XIV LCW(V) Sub Pede?????

I can imagine whats going to happen after this lockdown , all ticket prices for gigs are goin' to double or treble WHAT A RIP OFF !

I was at Cambridge (Churchill College) between 1988 and 1992. The name doesn't ring any immediate bells, but I did know a John Cox who taught at The Leys School, Cambridge. But guess you don't mean him? Indeed, let's get those jussive subjunctives out ! Really sad joke for Latin anoraks there... Seriously, though, I must go and do some marking now, but have had lots of grammatical fun today with you all! There does seem to be a proliferation of Classically minded people in the numismatic world - I wonder why that should be? Bye!

I think THE most obvious difference is the rim - it's very much wider on the pattern.

I think I can see it. BIN of only a grand too🧐