Peckris 2

You could be right. Certainly the only ones I've seen have turned out to be proofs. I mentioned the difference between 'scarce' and 'rare' to one eBayer and asked him to let me know if the designs looked "white" and dull compared to the blank areas. He must have thought his ship had come in because he replied "Yes!". I had to let him know that his was a proof and therefore only scarce, not rare.

I won't comment on the second, but... the first is about as good as it gets. Yes, I know the obverse only looks EF but that's pretty standard for 1917 6d's - the dies were wearing, and it's very very difficult to get a good one. I'd rate it GEF?

"Pound to a penny" ... yes. Compare the coin market in 1971, and in 1985, and other times too I'm sure. Then think of property in the early 90s, and shares at various different times. Gold in the late 90s. Nothing ever keeps going up.

You're not kidding! 1922 halfpenny for £350 anyone? https://jonblyth.com/coins/coin-details.aspx?id=2516

What grade was it?

No. Sad, I had wondered why she'd not been on Top Gear recently.

Yes, half a million makes much more sense than the stated mintage given what is actually out there. Add in the fact that a quantity will have been sucked up during the 1992 withdrawal, and you're left with quite a small number. Let's face it, the 1981 proofs seem easier to get hold of than the currency coins.

Aargh. I missed it...

"So what kind of watts do you want guv - RMS, Peak Power, or James?"

Remember the Not The Nine O'Clock News sketch where the two hifi shop assistants took the mick mercilessly out of a customer?

Remind me which that is? I'm looking to upgrade my 1921 (pre-1920 obverse) which I've only got in VF.

Ditto.

A friend who knew the Hindi alphabet was in India and painstakingly spelled out a sign in a big railway station. "R" she began, "É", "L", "W", "É", "ST", "É", "SH", "N". Then blushed...

Yeah, they definitely missed a trick.

Yeah, but both those are commems. No-one ever talks about currency issues (even the 1983 'error' 2p is only in sets, but would probably have been headlined in any case; but otherwise...)

Here's my take on it: the mintage is low, but not nearly low enough to be rare - after all, the 1952 sixpence (a much lower mintage) is plentiful in lower grades compared to the 1981 currency 10p. I think (and this is simply educated guesswork) that the majority of the mintage was never issued, and quite probably melted down. Unusual? Yes certainly, but look at the context: no more large currency 10p's were ever issued. From 1982 to 1991 they only occur in BU sets, and then the small 10p arrived. So in 1981 - the last year of large currency 10p's - the Mint may have overestimated the demand for more coins. Yet there hasn't been any media coverage of the 1981 10p, and even on eBay the sellers of generic 10 pences from circulation usually say 'pick your date' and then have a drop down menu that runs from 1968 to 1981 - I've never seen any of those have any stock dated 1981. So they must be pitifully hard to find in any grade? (Having said that, there's one here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1981-Ten-Pence-Coin-Unused/373496292855?hash=item56f61d25f7:g:RvQAAOSw~kRgTMBg but I SUSPECT it's probably from the proof set?)

On the subject of foreign menus: Our local Arab-run Mediterranean caff had a signboard outside that read GENUINE ARABIC COUSIN - and one of the items on their menu was FOUL MEDAMES

I have 3, but they were all from the same auction lot in Warwick in the 90s.

You'll be lucky to find many in any grade!

I'm surprised they didn't also highlight "roasted husband"

In 1746, Wales was legally redefined as part of England in the Wales and Berwick Act. That was repealed in 1967 since when Wales has legally been a separate country.

I've asked! Will I get a reply? Watch this space...

There never has been Wales on the British heraldry. It probably has something to do with the fact that England took over Wales many centuries ago, i.e. long before Scotland and Ireland? However in modern times, the £1 coins have addressed that issue.

Doesn't look right to me either, but it could just be awful photos.

Is that the one from DNW last week?