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Dead right Paddy. Anything for a quick buck.

Update the seller said I can return the coin if not happy so Im going to go for it.

I have recently acquired x3 "True Cross" Terracotta Pilgrim Tokens. They are reported to have been commissioned by Emperor Heraclius to commemorate the recovery of the True Cross from the Persians in C630 AD. It has been reported that a small piece of the True Cross was cut off and burnt, and the ash mixed with the Clay. Although this could be a good selling pitch at the time?? The two figures beneath the Cross are supposed to be Constantine and his Mother Helena. Other reports state they are Peter & Paul? The backs are plain. One is 18mm Dia. The other two are 15mm. The two smaller pieces both have an X over both arms of the Cross. All in VGC

Very interesting items! Not something I would collect, but definitely intriguing. I suspect when they were made unscrupulous dealers were rooking credulous pilgrims. Nothing has really changed!

Yes there is a documented 1860 2+D variety BP1860JB V over inverted A.

Was not my intention to mislead, and for that I'm sorry. The coin is 1860 2+D.

Sorry i thought from your original post you were looking at a picture and were asking the question as you DIDNT have the coin in hand. "Would you agree that the attached image has no crossbar" Yes i dont think a V has a crossbar 👍 Some people on the forum know why i look for coins everyday and flip for a profit, but dont feel as if i need to explain myself.

@Coinery At first blush, it may appear unrealistic. However, it really depends on how you go about collecting, what you collect or even might consider collecting. Most collectors can and should develop a numismatic point of reference based on experiences… which include the coins seen, the state of preservation, and how often they are offered for sale in the condition desired. Frankly, the best coins I own are the ones I really was not actively seeking at the time I decided to buy them. This really turns into recognizing opportunities but not everyone wants to buy a straw hat in January.

Maybe it’s just your natural approach to things, but I can’t imagine for a second it’ll encourage free unguarded comments going forward, that’s all!

Ok thanks for this information. I hear you. All opinions can't be taken as truths for sure. I value your objective approach to my questions and thank you for taking the time to awnser and explain.

It could certainly be a die flaw. If a developing crack in a working die has only a surface ‘gape’ then the ridge on the struck coin will be shallow and appear to run under the letters. If the crack is more advanced with a deeper gape, deeper than the incuse letters on the die, then the flaw when struck will appear to run over the letters. Statements on Facebook and other forums are just opinions, not necessarily truths. Perhaps that includes mine? Jerry

I wasn’t so much asking for a grade, just that it was a million miles off being an MS64, even if the reverse was FDC. I did include the link to the upcoming sale, where the reverse is available for viewing. Unfortunately, most people who will be bidding on the coin will only have the integrity of the grading company’s number and the images to back it up. Speaking only for myself, I think both are questionable.

If you check my ebay listings, I have an F-275 Last 1 over 1 listed. I also have an F-275 HIGHER F OVER F in F:D: listed. I have never seen another and had questioned Iain Dracott about it, but as he had not seen the purported F/P, he could not be sure whether my coin was actually what was identified as the F/P. See attached image

Interesting page on Heritage Auctions UK comparing NGC grading to PCGS. This has been up for several months at least, it's dated 2015, and the unsigned writer clearly states his views. The link (heritageauctions.co.uk) doesn't seem to post so I've c&p'ed and compressed the paragraph spacing: HERITAGE AUCTIONS The grading of quality and rare coins is a highly specialised skill which can impact tremendously on coin values.signed There are 2 main international grading companies - NGC and PCGS both primarily based in the USA. As they both claim to work according to the Sheldon Scale of grading , one imagines that there should be a high degree of uniformity and consistency in the grading of coins, notwithstanding that sometimes human objectivity may sometimes be compromised if a grader is having an " off " day, for instance. However, levels of consistency can be compared when coins are submitted for " cross-over " grading which is where one of the 2 main companies undertakes to grade the coins at the same existing or other specified grade and will only encapsulate that coin in it's own plastic slab if the coin meets the minimum grade specified by the person submitting the coin. Otherwise the coin is returned intact in the original plastic slab and the submitter is told that the coin did not " grade ". My own experience of crossover is one where the great majority of my PCGS graded coins have failed to cross-over into a NGC slab at the same or a higher grade. I will be providing statistics as time permits. This surely is disturbing? This is why I buy as many NGC graded coins as possible from Heritage Auctions in Dallas, USA. It will be seen by looking at any of their coin auctions that a large proportion of the slabbed coins that they sell are in NGC holders, and given that they are the largest Auction house in the world that must surely say something! OldCopper now: So for older slabs at least, an interesting take. Perhaps things may have changed since.

I'm more amused by what is allegedly a bronze penny having a fineness of .5 🤣

Nerd indeed! You are paying for the beer Rob. I must admit talking about the die varieties of the 1887 sixpence has often put grandchildren to sleep. There are many unique pieces in the collection including varieties of the 14 pearl sovereign, some patterns by Lauer, and J R Thomas. Plenty of proof varieties that just are not listed anywhere and so many crowns with different rim sizes. OK I will accept slightly off the spectrum but that is what research is all about. This one is unlisted