Rob

I have 3 hard bound early volumes of the Numismatic Circular up for grabs if anyone is interested. Vol. IV Dec 1895-Nov 1896. Good condition with slight fraying at the top and bottom of the spine. £35 Vol. VIII Dec 1899-Nov 1900. Internally ok and nothing loose, but some damage to the spine. £28 Vol.IX Dec 1900-Nov 1901. Good condition, some slight fraying to the top of the spine. £32. Free delivery to a UK address.

If the 1952 halfcrown is identical to prior years in all but the date, then I can't see how it be considered a pattern. It would have to sit alongside other rarities such as the 1945 threepence, virtually all of which were melted down. I would hazard a guess and say that yearly dies were cut in advance for all denominations in all bar a few instances in anticipation of future requirements. 1952 would be a year where halfcrowns were expected to be struck, as doubtless there was still a high number of 500 silver coins theoretically in circulation, even if many were hoarded. The unexpected event of the year was George VI dying

If you aren't sure and can't see it, in the absence of a positive die match, it isn't.

I'm not convinced the government falling would mean an automatic win for Corbyn. I would give the population, who are coming to realise that he wants Brexit as much as Johnson, more credit than that. As a lifelong opponent of Brussels, I suspect a lot of converts to him over the past 3 years might not be so happy once they realise he doesn't share their goals. Many older voters without party allegiances to consider will not support him due to his and much of the left's opposition to the creation of private wealth in the first place. As always, it is easy to be in opposition but much harder to be in power.

Can't tell. The resolution isn't good enough when blown up, but there doesn't appear to be much, if any wear to the stippled area between ear and collar, and that is the first to go.

It's one of those coins where the book is irrelevant. Barring a hoard find, there will always be more buyers than coins extant, let alone available.

I was wondering if that was from their own collection, as the world isn't exactly overrun with these.

Lighting has a huge effect on your perception. If you are accustomed to lighting from the top, then if done from the bottom, the relief detail often appears incuse until your brain has adjusted. Needless to say, that shifts the teeth half a position.

I think it is down to photographic quality. Spink's images are too saturated for my taste. As for the ebay listing, I too can produce lifeless images which don't bring out the finer detail. However, the surfaces in closeup look as they did on the original as far as I recall. The listed item still has a spot of red wax on the reverse at 5pm between the V and inner circle. This is visible on the original images. The piece of crud at the edge of the rays was also present on the original. I'm happy it is the same coin.

The only one I have had in recent times is this, which I think came from LCA. I had one 15 years ago, but wasn't good enough grade to keep the picture.

Looking at Gouby's site, the only obvious things to me at first glance is the top bar of the 5 which is thicker on the end, and the 8 is sharper, from a different punch. The 8/6 looks to be using the same 5.

Is it absolutely clear whether small/large date refers specifically to date with or numeral size, as the definition appears to vary from issue to issue? i.e small date might imply the numerals are used on a smaller denomination, but you also have situations where the date width determines the attribution. A third possibility would be a slightly different font resulting in numeral height/width differences.

The problem is yours and yours alone. As we all accept, there is no right or wrong way to collect because we are collecting for pleasure. If you can't live with it then get rid and upgrade as funds allow. If you bought it because you were happy at the time, then it is your decision if you are no longer happy, but you have to decide why it is no longer satisfactory. It wouldn't be a problem to upgrade as the coin is hardly rare, so it boils down to your priorities - and on that, the ball is firmly in your court.

Why do you think it is a fake? Looks ok to me.

Just found this. Breakfast at Zurich Hbf a few years ago.

Free postage. Offer a quid. Fair value.

Gone

It is both parts hardbound in the original binding (blue this year). Celtic to 1968, and then the pleasant sight of only a single page of decimals

Collect Civil War pounds and half-pounds and you will have a ready supply of ammunition to hand

I've got a Seaby 8th ed Std Catalogue (1969) available if anyone wants old pricing data. £5 delivered. Please PM if interested.

That's a large pot of gold cunningly hidden on the gate post.

I'm in Manchester, but could get things shipped to a London address in time. The only other option would be if I was in Bracknell for the LCA auction, presumably the Sunday, but I haven't had a catalogue yet to determine whether it is worth going down.

Ultimately I am in business and not a charity. Whilst I am not averse to helping out with the odd enquiry, the number of catalogues you would need to compile a comprehensive list is large. Even if you took all of my spares you would still need to find more. Plus, the cost of shipping 100s of kgs half way around the world would be not insignificant. It's the age old problem of everyone wanting the information, but nobody is willing to spend money on acquiring the knowledge.

Given the lack of wear evident, the AU55 is probably about right for US grading. I guess they try to be consistent. What they struggle with is eye appeal, which is a major component of hammered coins. It isn't clipped, or at least is unlikely to be so given the weight of 5.97g. The problem with hammered is that you can get a coin that is mint state, flat, but as struck. This isn't an issue for people who collect by numbers.

A good starting point would be where at auction were they acquired? The opening line on this thread saying they were bought at auction 10 years ago, but now you want to know what they are and how much they are worth, doesn't bode well IMO. Nobody inadvertently buys a group of coins worth hundreds without having a clue what they are buying.