Chris Perkins

Rev

Obv

I know Peck, that's why I often do photos of the more valueable coins to show the colour. I'll probably do the same for this one.

I've had a play with the Lindner Magnicam device. Can I first point out that it is a re-branded Taiwanese made device called a VT101, or a Vitiny VT101! These are available (mainly from outside Europe for a similar price to what I offer them for - beware taxes). On Chinese wholesale websites the full spec is listed and easy to google. The build quality isn't awful, but it's certainly not top-end either. It's pretty easy to use and quick to get the hang of. The printed instructions are pretty clear (in English translated from the Chinese) but I must say that the english text in the software provided does leave a lot of room for improvement. The device provides x7 optical magnification and x27 optical magnification. All magnifications between x7 and x27, and above x27 (up to x108) are digitally enhanced magnifications, which basically means that the pixels are simply made larger. At x7 the view area is 2 or 3 legend characters of a coin and at x27 it's just one legend character, or actually it's so large that on larger coins x27 magnification means that all you see is a part of a single legend character! Potentially useful for looking for overdates etc. It's fine, it certainly magnifies and the images produced aren't bad....but, like with a lot of these things the focal display area is so small that you only get to see very small sections of the coin. The biggest drawback though is that you have to be touching the item with the device (a clear plastic part protrudes from the lens and this needs to be placed on whatever you want to magnify due to it's very short focal length). This is perfectly fine for stamps and other paper items, and it's also fine for worn old coins, but I certainly wouldn't want to examine choice/expensive coins with it because they are going to get marked! So there you are: Ok for overdates and looking for minute details, but not much good for producing large pictures of whole coins. Keep it well away from your proofs! This tested but 'as new' Magnicam can be purchased for £98 if anyone wants it.

I've got my Magicam. Not even had a chance to take it out of the box yet, but I will hopefully test it out at the weekend.

I have a spare copy of Peck's 'English Copper, Tin and Bronze Coins in the British Museum 1558 - 1958'. It's the 1970 reprint (the most recent 2nd edition and the newest one available). Most of you will already know that Peck's work is still the most up-to-date reference for varieties of base metal coins pre 1860. Copies of the book are sometimes hard to find. Condition is very good, dust jacket missing - £150 plus postage at cost. PM me or white something here. Thanks.

Ok, I'll get one in and 'review' it!

I've never used one of those. New to Lindner....not yet had to order one. There are some pictures of coin letters here, that I did with a very cheap microscope and camera: http://www.predecimal.com/safe-microscope-60100x-p-577.html

Product not found..... Sorry! Try this: http://www.predecimal.com/lindner-magni-lindner-9115-p-18578.html

And I sell those for £156.50! http://www.predecimal.com/lindner-magni-lindner-9115-p-16801.html

And the Wyon family? That's another factor that turned me off getting involved in a Peck reprint (apart from the cost). Lots of it needs updating (the bronze) or at least could be updated, but what a huge amount of work that would be - just deciding what goes in and what to leave out! I do actually have a full print ready PDF version of the 1970 Peck! (authorised by the BM, but I cannot use it/sell it)

The British Museum own the copyright. They will grant permission to re-print, but not cheaply. That combined with the printing costs of such a large book put me off in the end, although it's still something I may do one day.

He can make himself known if he wants! It's a regular member. Sold it for £130, which is alright.

Sorry, sold now!

Yes, but keep it real!

I keep meaning to put details on of the 10p varieties on the Rotographic website. I've got a very long list of them.

Artificially toned.

I don't have one I'm afraid. 1797 is the most common date (it's the only circulation Cartwheel date).

I spoke to Danz on the phone and I hadn't heard about it (but will of course include it in the next Check your Change). I'm pleased that I've got one of the 'wrong' ones in the RM package. I had to purchase all 29 of the bloody things so that I can do the pictures. All these problems lately, one could come to the conclusion that the RM are finding it hard to get things right due to the sheer volume of different coins they are churning out of late. Perhaps they should concentrate on providing the public with coins to facilitate low value transactions, rather than simply medallions with face values, sold to line their pockets.

Hello Debbie, You say you've bought here before? I'm sure you'd be familiar to me if I knew your surname (you don't have to reveal it here). Talking of shillings, I've just listed some Edwardian, including a couple of 05's: http://www.predecimal.com/british-predecimal-coins-shillings-c-51_32_37.html

Yes, it's possible (if I do it). I changed my own ages ago to introduce a space between names! PM me or whatever, your requirements.

I've just removed about 2/3 of the total forum membership. All were members that had never posted anything and had not visited for ages. It's possible that I may have removed some real people and if that it the case, sorry! Please email me and I'll re-instate. I'm now going to go through and manually delete some obvious deadwood.

Yes I deleted the jabber/location ones you mentioned. And the new security question seems to be tripping them up at registration now. I assume that somewhere along the lines a human had told the spam bots what the previous answer was and that opened the doors. I'll tackle the many sleepers nex week.

How are things looking now? I've deleted all new members than have joined in the last 5 days. I've also changed the security question, which should only be possible to answer if you're human! I don't know how they get around it. I know there are clearly other spammers here that are not active but have links in their profiles and simply do nothing (to enable search engines to find their silly websites). This always happens when I'm away! Next week I'll go through and remove the 'sleepers'. Thanks so much for your efforts TomGoodheart.

Just thought I'd point people to this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150641815364 It's a wonderful Victorian impression of the Exchequer Great Seal, originally owned by Sir Frederick Parry and then William Gardner. Fabulous thing.