Coppers

Were you or anyone else ever able to identify the planchet on which this coin was struck?

The fellow who got caught is likely just the tip of the iceberg. When American collectors are willing to shell out many multiples of a coin's value just because it has great colouring or toning, it only invites this sort of thing.

Congratulations, Oli! You did great!

Looks to me as if this "toothed border" might have been made using actual teeth.... Rare 1860 Mule

Have a Happy Birthday, JMD -- and forget the glider!

According to the description accompanying this ebay auction, the coin displays "fresh violet, purple, and blue toning". I wonder if this toning is fresher than one might imagine. Any opinions? Pattern farthing

You're "reply" on ebay to her negative feedback clearly expains what transpired. I wouldn't worry about it further.

Here's wishing you a wonderful twenty-second birthday, Sylvester!

I'm an American as well, but Sylvester has a point. It's depressing to read some of the posts to the Collectors Universe (PCGS) forum extolling the virtues of toned coins, many of which appear to have had help in getting that way. There are more than a few dealers who are willing to sell these coins at huge premiums, often many multiples of trends, and unfortunately, there are collectors who are taking the bait. This will not end well.

Yet another coin (this one with "exceptional eye appeal") being offered by the same firm.. Ebay auction

"Each to themselves," yet I see a difference between a hammered coin that was clipped 5 centuries ago at the time it circulated and a 17th century copper halfpenny that was recoloured 5 months ago in order to sell it at a high price to a gullible collector. Are the dealers who are colouring and selling these coins really any different than those of the past who used to sell whizzed (polished) coins as mint state to unsuspecting and often inexperienced collectors? To add insult to injury, the US grading services are rewarding these coins with mint state grades one or two points higher than those submitted without recolouring.

A nearly unmentionable rarity

Have a great birthday!

Granny's Collection

Incredible! Did it end up with a dealer or a collector?

Krasnaya Vityaz is correct. It is a contemporary counterfeit halfcrown.

In any coin series there are certain dates and varieties that might be exceptionally rare in mint state (the 1827 penny for example). In the US, we've taken this concept of condition rarity to the extreme where we actually differentiate rarities based on eleven grades of mint state ranging from 60 to 70. There are even "population reports' on the numbers of each variety encapsulated at the various mint state grade levels (60 to 70) and many collectors and dealers religiously follow and rely on these reports to determine how "rare" a coin might be, for example, in MS-65 versus MS-64. So even a very common coin of which millions were struck and of which millions are known in mint state can be considered "rare" because very few have been awarded an MS-65 versus an MS-64. This is a purely artificial definition of rarity created to enrich the grading services and the dealers whom they serve. Oftimes many thousands of dollars are lost and gained on the basis of such nonsense.

Peter...The US grading firms pretend to make an exact science of something that really isn't one. A coin and its attributes are more than just a number. What we in the US have settled for is an overly pricise grading system that at the same time is inherently inaccurate. If you don't believe me, take a look at some of the coins that get into high grade mint state slabs. I much prefer your grading system -- yet another reason why I collect British coins.

A good observation, Sylverster. The overpriced US coin market has driven a lot of collectors, like myself, to look elsewhere. I wonder how big an impact this has had and will continue to have on the British coin market.

Is the sale now completely finished? A little off-topic, but in going to the website, I accidently typed in www.colincook.com (without the 'e' in cooke) -- no farthings there!

Here's a 1933 penny available at a far more reasonable price.... Another 33

Latest Ebay Bargain

Amazing -- and bidding has already reached £205!

There may be a few pieces that didn't show up, but there is still so much that is so spectacular.

Rob...Good point! I was thinking of this more as an exercise in "what if" than an actual intention to bid on an item. Perhaps we should wait until all of the dust settles from this sale to hear from the members of this forum?