1949threepence

Many old pennies are similarly stamped with numbers, names, initials etc. Never entirely clear as to precisely why.

I've always firmly believed that marketing offers should be something you click into, not out of.

"Up to £70k a year" - sounds a bit like promised broadband speeds as you get your17mg a minute !!! If the concern only started in January last year, then clearly that figure is pure guesswork, as well as probably pure fiction. I don't believe for one second they've made anywhere near that amount. Still, as Dave says, much of the info in the article is factually correct, and I too take my hat off to the lad for getting publicity in a popular national newspaper.

Hope you enjoy the visit

Just a quick heads up on tomorrow night's (Tuesday 9th January) Great British Railway journeys. Michael Portillo touring South Wales and in the preview for the next programme said he would be finding out how money is made in Wales, with a shot of newly minted coins - so I took this to mean he'd be visiting the mint BBC2: 6:30pm Tuesday 9.1.18, if anybody interested.

Yes, I'd agree with Freeman 102.

Mike, Mick - it's shown just below my user name.

Top one, Mick. No question. Agree with the other replies.

Thanks Bob. It's the one I got at the Copthorne auction in 2016. I should also have added that the Shield rim is thicker than normal.

Pretty much impossible to tell from yours, as sadly, just a bit too worn. Mine is pictured. In addition to LCW under foot, the rock to the right of the lighthouse is very distinctive, and the ship is not quite on the water. Reverse E is quite unique.

Got the e mail but didn't see it until the offer had already gone.

I've been collecting since I was 12: obviously a lot more in recent years. I can say with absolute honesty, that I have never once come up against a "nasty" or "arrogant" dealer. Maybe I've been lucky. I've not always agreed with their prices or conclusions, but that's a completely different matter. The vast majority are pleasant, helpful, totally genuine and often (usually) enthusiasts themselves. They love to discuss technicalities, often in a very knowledgeable way. Generally you soon get on first name terms with them, once they get to know you, and you them. Apart from that, I'm not one to whine if I feel I've been overcharged. ripped off. I regard it as my fault and just suck it up. Besides which, it's swings and roundabouts.There have been many bargains on the way. So these things even themselves out over time. I don't know Simon Willis, but will reserve judgement as 1) I've no idea what he's apparently done, you haven't said and 2) I make my own mind up on people. I think you're being a tad unreasonable, quite honestly.

I've been collecting since I was 12: obviously a lot more in recent years. I can say with absolute honesty, that I have never once come up against a "nasty" or "arrogant" dealer. Maybe I've been lucky. I've not always agreed with their prices or conclusions, but that's a completely different matter. The vast majority are pleasant, helpful, totally genuine and often (usually) enthusiasts themselves. They love to discuss technicalities, often in a very knowledgeable way. Generally you soon get on first name terms with them, once they get to know you, and you them. Apart from that, I'm not one to whine if I feel I've been overcharged. I regard it as my fault and just suck it up. Besides which, it's swings and roundabouts.There have been many bargains on the way. So these things even themselves out over time. I don't know Simon Willis, but will reserve judgement as 1) I've no idea what he's apparently done, you haven't said and 2) I make my own mind up on people. I think you're being a tad unreasonable, quite honestly.

Agreed. Of all the Freeman Victorian currency strike types, this is the only one I would never seek. At page 51 of the 1985 edition of "The Bronze coinage of Great Britain", Freeman himself says of the 147:- "Some specimens of 1897 with reverse B are found with a small circular dot between the 'O' and 'N' of 'ONE'. This feature occurs as a result of damage to the die - a specimen showing only a small crack on this area has been seen" - suggesting that it developed gradually. In my view, it's not really a type. Although obviously it's popular with some.

Happy New Year all. Hope you all get at least one really great acquisition in the coming 12 months.

Equally, I'd be interestedin your Norweb catalogues if you don't manage to shift them, Steve.

Very very interesting - please do let us know what the RM say. Potentially a great find.

Interesting. I've just scanned through all the F26's sold at the LCA in recent years, and whilst the majority were perfectly normal, this one - lot No 2686 sold on 7.9.14, shows a definitely odd looking linear circle on the right hand side of the obverse:- http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/img.php?a=146&l=2686&f=o&s=m That looks very similar to mine. This one, lot No 2380, sold on 6.3.16, by contrast, looks perfectly normal, except BRITT is very close to the linear circle. http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/img.php?a=152&l=2380&f=o&s=m Maybe, as Richard suggests, there was a repair to the obviously flawed LC as shown in the first example, resulting in BRITT subsequently being very close to, or even breaching the repaired LC.

Sorry, not the best of pics:-

It does on my F26 as well, Cliff. In fact the entire linear circle at the right hand side of the obverse, goes completely wonky, looks as though it's breaking up, and veers in. Never noticed it before until looking to compare with yours.

Another favourite of mine since seeing the film a few years ago - the theme tune to Midnight Cowboy.

The case I was thinking of was this one

Ha ha - jeans as well, Peter. Plus a decent pair of walking shoes.

Some amazing stuff above. Thanks for the images, craigy.