Leaderboard

Unfortunately, this dissemination of information can, and probably will, be a double edged sword. The producer (counterfeiter if applicable) can very easily learn his flaws and eliminate them in the future. Richard, what you are providing to to the collecting community is invaluable, yet, due to the knowledge being shared, we now have to be more vigilant. The never ending cycle of good against evil. As good as the top TPG's are (or at least claim to be), there are documented instances of them being fooled too. We now have to contend with both genuine & counterfeit coins placed in counterfeit holders. We also have had instances of genuine holders being opened and resealed with lower grade coins replacing the original. Unfortunately, there will always be someone uninformed who will be taken in by these coins or some who thinks the price is "too good to be true", not realizing that it truly is. Again Richard, thank you for your website, it is most informative and should if possible, when no longer being added to, be published somehow in reference form. Possibly in disk form structured as a website.

When my Uncle was very old, we covered him in grease. He went downhill pretty quickly after that.

I'm building up some details of these fakes/replicas on my varieties site: https://headsntails14.wordpress.com/fakes-replicas/#top

Oh, thanks for catching me as I forgot! I was so mad as I am quite familiar with NGC and PCGS grading and should have been a "64"; I subsequently got one (1871) that did go "64". Will try to locate the other 1871.....

Hmmm, I would def. avoid ammonia on copper or copper alloy.

I emailed the seller earlier. It makes interesting reading: Me: Can you confirm that the obverse photograph is of the same coin as the reverse photograph ? They are a different colour and taken with different backgrounds. Thanks Him: It's the same I have a crappie phone all my items I removed because I take hundreds photos. I already sent a video to a lady and I did polish the front with a silver jewllery cloth. The lady offered to buy it off here last night need to remove it but ebay got massive fees Me: You've been rumbled - That reverse photo is taken from London Coins website directly ! And who knows where the obverse is from. Best to take it down before you're in trouble Him: Well I've a video so no rumbled here lol I was asked for a live video which I sent the buyer they are happy and will be buying I've never once lied cheated so the fact you say that tells me your probably a scammer. Anyone could ask me for as msy photos videos with today's news on and they'd have it no problem. Seems a smart lady dealer was the only one so watch for the review after. And I've found a buyer for the rest of the collection too. you'll see the other penny also the one I was told wasn't real thank god I don't listen

Yes, I got really excited last night when I saw it - a new die pairing ! Too good to be true, sadly.

Unquestionably. A gold halfpenny formerly in my possession had a large scuff to the cheek which was subsequently filled and magically achieved a proof 64 cameo grade 6 months after I sold it. It sounds better and sells better than unc details damaged, and adds to the TPG coffers. And it cost the US buyer in excess of $30K in 2010, but hey, he was happy as it had been certified as genuine and not tampered with. Doubles all round - everyone's happy. If they are going to have variable standards for certain high price items, it would help their reputation if they introduced a special label to reflect that.

Some woke t*sser will probably take exception to this, but here goes:

We call it "rubbing alcohol" (not suitable for drinking!) over on this side of the Pond. A decent solvent and one of the choices. I have really come along to liking ammonia with no dyes, etc. for copper nickel or even silver in its alloys and even gold - not that implying this choice is encycopaedic but only amongst the possibilities..

If no pictures are presented, you ought to be able to rely on the expertise of the vendor, but there are no guarantees. If described as BUnc, you would expect pretty much perfect condition. After a while one learns which dealers to trust and which not. A list without pictures sounds a bit like Mr Ingram and son?

I bought this one for £30 3 years ago for novelty value.

My money would be on it being Nickel given the known 1923 & 1924 nickel shillings. Iron or some other ferrous material doesn't give many options. Modern neodymium magnets aside, the only magnetic elemental candidates are Iron, Cobalt & Nickel