Peckris 2

Fascinating - though they must have known that it was to be the new 20p, introduced the following year.

That was the new reverse from 2008 - quite different as you can see.

We must have had a good soak last night as there was plenty of water in the pot saucers this morning. Having said that, today's 'thunder weather warning' never materialised.

If E over R what do you think about the protrusion showing above the E downstroke, which could not possibly be an R ?

Tonight there could be heavy rain in the SW - and overnight is the ideal time!

I'd say quite possibly E over B ? The top picture quite clearly shows the lower loop curving left back towards the downstroke, which the R wouldn't do. There's also something else going on above the E - something protruding above the top right hand side of the downstroke, and something to the right of the top serif which could in no way form part of an R

Could you add a note about the note about Note 18 please?

Indeed - though there are several scarce varieties, e.g. initials on truncation, and overstamped letters in VICTORIA, which mine isn't.

I'd say proofs in a cabinet are fine. They might tone (or not) but would remain FDC.

Just the bog standard one as far as I can tell, nothing to see!

There should be a separate branch of the Mint which is TOTALLY divorced from the production side.

I'd want to see an UNC example of the straight bar to be absolutely sure - the curve might have been flattened out by wear.

OMG, that's utterly shameless. I could barely give them away as a dealer 25 years ago. They, along with Churchills and 1977 crowns, were the coins you dreaded people trying to sell you. I couldn't really offer any more than face value, or a little bit more.

Very reminiscent of 5/3 on 1865 bronze. If it's not, then it would fool everyone.

If you look closely, the coin is only actually used for the hair.

What makes it worse is that it's a UK seller.

As you can see, the rest of the reverse is standard - pretty much what you'd expect. It was the date that drew my attention to it when I first saw it on sale (by a dealer who was just selling it as a bog standard 1887 JH).

The E over E is of very little interest, repunched legend characters being so common. However the underlying R (or is it a B?) really does make it a very interesting variety. Is it in Davies or is it a new discovery?

I doubt we will face a winter crisis, at least not compared to the miners' strike that brought down the Heath government in '73, with a 3-day week, no TV after 10:30 pm - which was at a time when we were nearly fully dependant on coal. Now, 50 years later, the wind will keep blowing, and the turbines will turn. The unions can be very stroppy when it comes to jobs. If they can't see the winds of change (pun intended), then more fool them. Anyway, Labour isn't as reliant on the unions as they once were, a legacy of Blair and New Labour. I can see quoted posts of course, but quoting your post doesn't include the post you quoted! However, as far as emitters like India and China are concerned, I wouldn't say "free pass"; when it came to trying to get agreement, the West had three choices: 1. Get everyone to agree to a minimum level of reduction (which would not happen) 2. Abandon the whole business through lack of agreement by certain countries 3. Reluctantly accept a certain level of compromise as being 'better than nothing', which is what we had to settle for in the end. We don't know what China is up to, they are an industrialised authoritarian Communist economy who keep their cards close to their chest. Maybe they will come to see the danger posed by climate change. Let's hope so. What's more important is that America under a Democrat president and Congress are making great progress and reduction of CO2 - that really does make a difference. As far as Britain is concerned, we do still have some influence in the world. If - I should say 'when' - we achieve carbon neutrality there are nations that will take notice even if our contribution amounts to the proverbial teaspoon (actually it is more that that, though not a huge difference on its own).

No - Labour's position is very clear: all existing exploration (plus any licences issued before Labour come to power, if such comes about) will continue / be honoured. What they've said is that there will be no new licences issued which - even if there was no climate change prevailing - makes perfect sense given the sharp decline in North Sea oil and gas stocks. However, there will plenty of jobs created by a switch to alternatives, of which offshore wind looks the best bet. There was a news item in the past month that shows our reliance on non fossil sources of energy went over 50% for the first time, from a base line of about 10% earlier this century. Everyone is AIMING for 2030 which is laudable, but let's not get our knicks.i.a.t. if the target is missed. The important thing is that an effort is being made.

Media brainwashing.

Every day was a Battle Day for Lillie (older members may understand this... )

I think these warm sunny days with a cooling breeze are absolutely wonderful. God help us when the really hot weather arrives, as per last summer.

Interesting read ... but the absurd rise in plastic coffin UK coin prices has got to come down sooner or later. Perhaps the same will be true of Pokemon?