Rob

I haven't used them so can't comment, but given your question which is pertinent to a well known Australian saleroom, I can understand your concern.

Samuel was in Spink sale 109 (1995) which pre-dates any internet archives. Nicholson bought a few lots there.

I didn't have one and neither did Nicholson or Samuel. The only one I have noted was Freeman's (lot 91A), which was practically mint state with much lustre. It was bought by Peek according to my catalogue, but that sale had a number of fictitious buyers, so isn't guaranteed to be genuine. They're certainly very rare, but it's also fair to say that at no point was I interested in filling the gap at any cost, so tended not to look at lower grade material. I never encountered one in my travels.

That's ok. I have trouble remembering that I need to eat breakfast sometimes. Last week I didn't get round to it until half three.

To answer MBE, the answer is obviously no. The number of penny collectors who routinely use Gouby references would imply that they mostly have the info at their fingertips. In the case of the penny book, I acquired it when I bought Colin Adams' library in 2005. I hadn't used it in 10 years and in the interim had bought the useful volume which is the detailed 19th century varieties (not available when he stopped collecting), with the 20th being fairly superfluous as it didn't contain the recent discoveries. The 20th century effectively duplicated Freeman. I regularly help people with missing items if it is no loss to myself or my collection. On occasion I have rejigged the coins around a few criteria in order to help someone out whilst still maintaining the integrity of the collection and library. This was one such instance.

I sold my copy to someone who was desperately looking for one at Wakefield 5 or 6 years ago because I never used it and had obtained the useful volume (1860-1901). I assumed if I had one, so did everyone else.

Had we gone along as part of their procurement process, it could have been worse. We would have been signed up to receive things eventually, but presumably after their markets had been satisfied based on yesterday's behaviour given we were no longer part of the EU and they are only concerned with their citizens. It's one thing to drive down the price paid, but as always, it's a case of priorities. The Commission's priorities are due process rather than reacting to the urgency of the situation. I think the UK did the procurement bit right in this instance. I know there are people complaining about PPE etc, but when it all settles down I don't think we will be the only people to have wasted money. This acrimony-fest is evidence, if it were ever needed, that the only way to be secure is to have home based sources of anything and everything you need or can do. Make sure you support your indigenous industries rather than rely on foreign powers that haven't the slightest interest in your economic well-being. Particularly not buying something from places like China just because it costs 50p or a quid.

Please could someone explain what the COA will certify - the D, the E or the I, or maybe all three? Or maybe it's the flaw in what is otherwise a pleasant undulating surface, bringing back memories of the sheet as it rolled off the mill?

Yes, his bullshit rating is phenomenal - and the coin a snip at only a three figure sum. His numismatic reputation is long established, as he has been discussed on US forums quite a few times.

Yep. I've not seen one either. Been looking for years...............

Immediate reaction is that it doesn't appear to be the same font as the other G. That raises suspicion. A bigger picture would help.

looks it.

I doubt the old ones are ever dormant as they would accept bids from a previously valid account unless they had closed it, plus a lot of people have more than one account. e.g. I have a couple accounts with a few places, one used for private and the other business to keep the finances separate. I would have to physically advise them to merge the details.

Have you updated details on your account? Surely that sort of thing should be automated when it comes to taking details off the computer? If you get physical catalogues delivered, that would prove they have the right details, unless you have more than one account.

Oooerrr. How does an organ that specialises in fake news, report fake news? Trump was right all along? I hate to think what will be concocted.

They already are.

What? The fifty shillings?

The slabbed world is losing all sense of perspective here. It's bonkers. They would have been better off leaving the coin out and just include the label. $825 + premium and counting. https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/world-coins/great-britain-commonwealth-1-2-penny-nd-1649-1660-ms65-ngc-/a/3089-32681.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515 Or something you would struggle to get more than £200-250 for.............

I think most of us are on a hiding to nothing when it comes to setting a goal that is remotely possible. I'm happy with my 12 or 1300 criteria covering Roman to the present day as I can't complete it but it always gives me something to go for, even if it is usually not what I had in mind when I started out that day! It means I can happily accommodate cheap and cheerful things alongside out and out rarities without compromising the collection because everything would have a legitimate place based on my eclectic criteria - even a current copper clad penny sat alongside a 5 guineas would have equal merit. The only issue is discipline, as 'too nice to sell' and 'too nice to pass up' frequently divert me.

You'll struggle with some of the hammered even if you get close with the milled. This one isn't going anywhere and the other is in the BM. It's not the only type you will struggle to get.

That would be a perfect example of something to push the boat out on a type collection. Find me another. Type trumps variety every time though. William III silver is riddled with varieties, some of which are very rare, some to my knowledge unique, but unless they are listed in a reference volume are very difficult to shift.

It's difficult to see which direction the market will go, though you can speculate. It is now very difficult to imagine anyone getting anywhere close to completing a denomination. When I refocused from shillings and halfpennies in 2008, I had a list of 1500 and 2200 varieties respectively just from the various references plus a few others I had identified which were not listed. That was already unfeasible. The same would apply to any denomination with the exception of say double-florins, or quarter guineas. Even the latter with just two currency dates plus a pattern wouldn't be easy. There may be varieties - I don't know. Even for the well-heeled, 5 guineas would cause a headache. Murdoch had the most comprehensive collection of these to date with 43 types out of 47 known in the collection, though he didn't collect by variety (assuming they exist). The days when even a secondary collection would have a dozen or more are long gone. The list goes on. You are in the same boat with reign type collections. I would suggest that Edward VII is probably the only realistic chance of completion, because the rare pennies of the later reigns may not be available even if the money is. What does all this mean? I think you will see a greater number of type collections. Maybe there will be an increased interest in foreign coins which are frequently cheaper due to lack of demand. Date runs have always been popular, even for those without reference books (I often get asked for 1961 halfpennies or 1923-5 & 1941-3 pennies etc, so clearly they don't have even a basic guide).

Total for the sale - $2.6m. Plus nearly 700K for the 75 lots in the Sweetnam sale earlier that day. Spink must be happy.

Yes. If concentric then you would have the legend all over the place without restraint, even if it wasn't double struck. The complexity of locking two rings in position for each side and furthermore locating and locking them in the press so that the die axis is maintained is mind boggling. Don't forget you also need a collar, together with a mechanism for introducing the blank and expelling the struck coin. Not a penny, but the same principle applies. https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v18n51a24.html

Don't forget the conversation I had with Graham Dyer a few years ago as outlined in this thread. http://www.predecimal.com/forum/topic/12611-an-interesting-conversation-regarding-oddball-mint-strikes/?tab=comments#comment-171284