Diaconis

Yes, Peter, Eddie was a fine maker and created many wonderful items, I spent valuable and enjoyable time in his company.

Another of my pastimes /obsessions is conjuring since I was about 10 yrs old. Years ago, I asked someone I trusted to make things for me but he started making them up himself and selling them under his own name, water under the bridge now, but he did (and still does) make a lot of money at my expense. So, I decided to teach myself and purchased the contents of a clockmakers workshop, lathes/milling machine etc in order to make my own tricks and devices. Without giving too much away, there are a LOT of tricky coins out there, most of which remain in magicians hands but they occasionally get spent by mistake, you may have ended up with some in your change at some time and wondered what the heck it was. Double-headed coins, coins that fall apart and have another coin inside of it etc, etc. The variations are endless. Back to the thread, the graining on the penny looks like it was done to give better grip when executing a conjurers sleight called a coin roll-down (google it) where the flat edges of a penny would not ensure enough grip. I've seen several of these in the past, made for the conjurers of old. They are, imo, worthless. In the photo below you'll see some I made for that very purpose. Grained on a milling machine equipped with dividing head set at 2-degree intervals to give 180 grooves. (Btw, the silver coins are Morgan silver dollars and the copper is a fantasy piece).

Indeed. His ANTIQUE ENAMELLED 1866 VICTORIA FOURPENCE / GROAT is definitely Arts and Crafts revival and well worth a look. Astounding what can’t be done in your kitchen with a dremmel and an oven.

Biggest scam going in the numismatic world imo. Some years ago I purchased a Cromwell halfcrown graded NGC AU55. In the same auction was another graded PGCS MS62, it had attractive toning but was obviously worn and scratched. The AU55 example was in far better overall condition, under graded and without scratches or wear but not attractively toned. I purchased it for less than half the selling price of the other. It was no exception either, I regularly see such anomalies. On the one hand you can find bargains and on the other hand some people may be in for a shock when selling. I always liberate the coin and almost ceremoniously destroy the grading ticket. Sod their population reports I say.

Rob, Fr. Rude was a sculptor (4 January 1784 – 3 November 1855) so it won't be him, unfortunately. Just completed a scan of Van Loon and did not find a reference to Rude or Ruud the Coyner either, the search continues...

https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Beschrijving_van_Nederlandsche_historie.html?id=aRPtdIxD3-0C&redir_esc=y

Rob, Two references sprang to mind: - Biographical dictionary of medallists: coin, gem, and seal engravers, mint-masters, &c., ancient and modern, with references to their works B.C. 500-A.D. 1900 / compiled by L. Forrer. I just checked and can only find reference to a Francois Rude, no Coyner and no 'Ruud' unfortunately. I think your best bet would be - Beschrijving der Nederlandsche Historie Penningen (Description of Historic Dutch Medals), Gerard van Loon. I have a hard copy but do not have access to it at this moment, however, you might be able to find an electronic copy somewhere on the net. If not, I'll be able to scan through my copy at a later date if need be and you can't find one. Paul.

Hi Mike, I do hope that you enjoy it and that the quality of the plates is reflected in the Amazon copy. The original does have gilt-edged pages and the plates are treated with similar gilt/silver/copper embossing. It must have been a costly exercise for Mr Humphrey in the 1850s.

Though a later book, if you get the chance, pick up a gilt-edged copy of Noel Humphrey's, The Coinage of the British Empire (1854). They turn up occasionally at auction, usually in job lots, and can be purchased for a few pounds. I'm sure most have been butchered as the plates are perfect for framing and the binding did leave a lot to be desired so most copies are in tatters. Photos don't do them justice, they are very vivid.

Personally speaking, I do like to behold an old book. Spending time examining the woodcuts under a strong glass can be fascinating, some are very thought-provoking. Snelling has some interesting ones in, 'A View of the Silver Coin and Coinage of England.... ". Added to that, the annotated margins, thick parchment paper, and the musty aroma of decomposing VOC's that linger with the turn of each leaf, just wonderful.

Rare Australian variant?, mm. Emu (en passant regardant)

"Actually", I think you covered most of them there 😉

One of my pet peeves, “awesome” being used for something as banal as a cup of coffee or in place of “thank you”

Yes, there do seem to be a few about Rob. However, they don't often pass unscathed through a couple of reputable auction houses beforehand.

I was interested to see an extensive selection of Queen Anne pattern farthings come up for sale at the recent DNW auction. I noticed a Peck 748 (Cu) for sale and they don't seem to surface that often. It was Lot 796 (photo below, RH image). At first sight, it looked a fine example , EF, nice toning, but on a closer inspection, it just looked odd. It hammered at £1800 (excl costs) which may be about the going rate for one these days, maybe more, I don't know. The auction catalogue lists it as Peck 748 (Obv. 4 + Rev. D). As a comparison, I've added the LH image which is Peck 747 same dies, (Obv. 4 + Rev. D) (ex. CNG 2012). When compared side by side it is apparent that they are not from the same set of dies. The DNW example being of a slightly cruder design and workmanship. The reverse (Rev. D) on the DNW example also exhibits small dissimilarities and crudeness of design yet curiously still exhibits the die flaws on the right hand portico column and after the NIA in BRITANNIA. It would be nice to think it to be a rare, contemporary variant of Peck 748 but imo its more likely to be an imitation, there to deceive. I suppose that had the die-break not been there on the reverse then it could have been an unrecorded variant but the very presence of the die flaw should surely preclude the smallest of differences elsewhere on the coin. Any thoughts?

Pretty awful cast copy at an exhorbitant price, and I seriously doubt that it’s silver https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1658-Oliver-Cromwell-Shilling-in-a-nice-collectible-grade/142972630441?hash=item2149d535a9:g:NBAAAOSw5nxbcTt3 and authenticated by Bonhams no less

The recent thread concerning the myth of 1922 pennies containing gold caused me to reflect on how much numismatic and social history is buried within the pages of long-lost newspapers. Over the years I've found several such clippings between the leaves of old discarded books, invariably put there by our predecessors for safekeeping. I thought some of you might be interested to see some of them. Would make a great read in book form, for those so inclined. The right-hand clipping in the first photograph also refers to the 1922 penny as being valuable....maybe because of the gold myth? Don't want to incite a rampage down to the Vicarage stable at Chard but.........

Rob, In October 2017 I reluctantly coughed up £70 for a photographic reproduction, as the coin was a from a specific collection I had little choice. I must say though that, despite the high price, it is very well done and the detail is superb at 10MB.

That 'treasure chest' is just awful, "You’re George III coins are displayed a fabulous wooden sea chest, just like the Captain of the Admiral Gardner may have owned". Talk about anachronisms. If the Captain of the Admiral Gardner had owned a chest like that, then along with inventing the cross head screw, Henry Phillips must have had access to a tardis.

This one's from 1954 and concerns the chase for Edward VIII experimental brass threepenny bits which made it into circulation. I pity the young lad who was honest enough to return No.3 to the mint and have it confiscated, he'd get about £60,000 for it now.

Much appreciated MrBadE, thanks, I think I've got the hang of it now. Here's another, worthy of a film, a short one though I'll give you that. Alec Guinness, Stanley Holloway, Sid James and little Alfie Bass.

Craigy, check out: http://www.coinbooks.org.html

Probably find most here: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ The 1955 - Birmingham Daily Post (November 1st) is there but I'm not a member.

It's an old one but it did make me laugh out loud when I first heard it.