Rob

That doesn't help its original status. These things are cut from hallmarked plate, i.e. from 0.925 silver. If genuine, the weight of 1 shilling and 6 pence would be about 9 grams, though the weights of the noted pieces do vary a bit. 4.3 grams is far too light. Given these were supposed to be struck under siege conditions, there is a possibility that they would be slightly lightweight to eke out the silver available. So for example, the Carlisle siege pieces (which are attested from contemporary documentary evidence) are struck 10-15% underweight. Your piece is over 50% underweight.

Good. So what's the weight and did it test positive for silver?

Correct. I have some ex-Terner pieces and some Terner labels. I couldn't bring myself to retain the shattered remains of the ex-Terner plastic tombs.

That has CAROLI FORTUNA RESURGAM inscribed around the centre. For a better image of this piece, look at GC's website http://www.petitioncrown.com/ and scroll down. For years these were attributed to Colchester from the second civil war in 1648-9, though the absence of a mark of value and hopeful inscription clearly places them as medallets rather than coins. Again, some are considered contemporary and others modern (17th or 18th century). They have also been considered as Scarborough at one point due to an engraved inscription naming the place, but this is now poo-poohed. The Scarborough pieces have been variously described as of both doubtful origin and assumed genuine in the same sale. The 1s9d on the Lockett plate (2584) is one such item, having been described as 'rather doubtful' in the Cuff sale 8th June 1854 (lot 1244), along with the 'very doubtful' 1s1d (lot 1243). Conversely the 6d and 1s (lots 1239 & 1240) had no suspicions raised, but it must be born in mind that these are 'conventional values' which may cloud an opinion. Unfortunately the reverses aren't shown in the Lockett catalogue, but below is the reverse of the possibly doubtful 1s9d.

Bit rhetorical, that! You can find examples all the way through the denominations of examples where the name on the label determines the grade.

First thing to consider is that even the authenticity of the 'genuine' pieces has never been proved and there are some that think all Scarborough siege pieces to be later concoctions. It is certain that they have been known since the early 1700s as Pembroke lot 90 was a 2/- piece and he died in 1733, however, modern (i.e. 20th century) mass produced copies have also been made to satisfy the demand from museum and other gift shops. This is a page from Lockett's collection, which unfortunately didn't contain a 1s6d, however, if you look at the punches used on the Lockett coins, you will see that they are not as crude as those on your example. The punches used were limited in number. Your coin also has the letters KD or RD stamped to the right hand side of the castle - presumably the mark of the company that made it. Has it been tested for silver? What is the weight? These two are important as the weight of silver determines the value. What is the other side like? Again, this is important as these are cut from plate and the value stamped on them. Plate is quite thin. Consequently, you will see traces of the design showing through on the reverse. There was an example of a 'Scarborough' 1s6d in the Tyssen sale (lot 3053) on 31st May 1802 bought by Matthew Young, the dealer. He was an active buyer for B C Roberts at the Tyssen sale, so if this was a commission purchase for the latter it will now be in the BM. Unfortunately I don't have that information or an image of the 1s6d to hand - sorry.

That's just an estimate. The lot could be sold for more or less than this figure. Nothing would stop people asking for £402, but as always, it depends on what someone is prepared to pay. If you paid £1402 it would be up to you, no one else.

Spink 2014 gives £425, but you can pick them up for less than this. Typically £275-325 all in at auction depending on condition.

Hoping isn't a very sensible way forward. Buy what you can see.

Prices. The first melt, the second a tenner.

The first one is dire and best put out of its misery because nobody could possibly collect them in that condition, surely? The second is better, but still struggles to reach VF. The fuzziness doesn't help.

Given the similarity between your request and the OP, I'm wondering if both of you are chasing the same info. i.e. who else was he in business with and did they have descendants? Presumably you can get all the company details and accounts from Companies' House. Any directors will be listed together with their addresses at the time. Armed with that info you should be able to track down some relations, particularly if they left the company on retirement and continued to live in their homes.

I suspect not. It also suggests the fixing hole for the dies in the press are triangular or hexagonal. Given the existence of inverted die axis pennies in recent years, a hexagonal form is suggested.

Every other weekend is a free listing weekend, or so it seems. Given eBay's ramping up of fees, it is little wonder that it is so popular. People don't buy so much during the week, so it's a no-brainer for sellers in an attempt to restrict costs. If you had listing fees and only sold 10% or less, your time would be better off driving to the tip. And it would be cheaper.

The seller has just changed his description! It did have a 'buy it now' price of £1,000. I wonder if the message I sent him prompted the change? I also wonder if it should have ** after the country of origin?

Why? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/coin-/121232261134?pt=UK_Coins_BritishHammered_RL&hash=item1c3a01800e This is the crap that clutters up ebay. 2 days to go, and still nothing to see.

£35 is only 3 times melt, so is hardly extortionate.

It looks like the collar sprung open at this joint in striking. If you look at image 2 there is a discontinuity in the circumference and a flaw impinging on the rim at this point. That would also explain why it is a bit larger, as the flan has spread due to collar failure.

Surely that was their problem in the first place?

That's interesting. So the 2d wasn't legal tender and neither were the 1799 coppers. I see in the last Downies sale, lot 1807 was a Columbian 2 escudos - again based on the above list not legal tender. I presume that if it was legal tender elsewhere but not in Australia, it was still used as currency based on the fact that it had intrinsic value?

I already do this, but note that typical proclamation coins are typically cartwheel pennies and twopences, 1787 shillings and sixpences, 1799 coppers, together with a few of the 1806 coins. You also get non-British pieces from time to time. These are all extremely common and abundant in high grade in this country, so you tend not to find a lot of desirable material in this section of Australian auctions. Dumps and holey dollars are well known and documented, so instantly noted by the collecting fraternity. The only relatively common thing with any desirability that crops up on a regular basis is an 1827 penny, but then everyone looks for these. Useful info would probably be the cut-off dates used by the various auction houses for what is considered to be a proclamation coin. i.e. at which point do they become 'British' at Noble, Downies, Status etc.

No chance. The OP was a guest and isn't a member since, so can't be contacted.

If anyone requires an assessment of grade when they come straight from the mint, it suggests that the prospective purchaser assumes are despatched from Llantrisant as grapeshot. I fail to see why anyone wants to slab a currrent output coin that comes in a sealed packet from the mint. This really is the epitome of a marketing triumph and the TPGs must be laughing all the way to the bank. I would also question how much attention the graders pay to the coin in any grade assigned apart from MS70, because just about all should be pretty much perfect, as struck. i.e. a no-comeback MS69. Ker-ching, ker-ching, ker-ching etc

The colour of restrikes is so variable that anything describing them is a typical indication only. As for the pricing, the point I am making is that they are certainly one of the commonest, if not the commonest. A comparable one would be the P1260 which is equally common. In the last two or three years, G3 proofs have taken an upward turn in prices realised. In this case, Spink is reflecting the market and the prices paid. I don't think the typical buyer is aware of the relative rarities of the varieties, and even if they appreciate there are differences they are still likely to use Peck rarities instead of Mick Martin's survey. Personally, I would look to pay 60-70% of the 1806 proof halfpenny price listed in Spink for both this and the 1806, but the market doesn't seem able to take on board availability and so is often seen to be behaving in sheep mode. What is unquestionable is that if someone paid 950 for one of these, a visit to see a man in a white coat is probably in order. The cost of said visit is a couple hundred thousand. I am the proud owner of a white coat if anyone wants a consultation.

P1309 is a Taylor restrike and probably the most common restrike available. It is certainly on a par with the commonest of the Soho proofs, so a guide would be as for the 1806 halfpenny, which stands at £500-£600 in the new Spink catalogue.