1949threepence

Great tactics

Thanks for the heads up. Having just previewed, there's one of great interest for me in that auction

Hmmm, I'm not sure about this:- I think I'd sooner not interfere with the coin, even with the carbon spot/s there. With regard to the point made by Sword, about the carbon spot developing post slabbing, that is entirely plausible, as they take time to appear. What will never be known is what - or who -- caused it. Quite possibly a minute drop of saliva inadvertently left on the coin's surface, because whoever was handling it, also talked at the same time. A very good reason never to talk whilst handling coins, and to turn right away if you have to cough or sneeze !!! The tiny and unobtrusive spots on the 1918 and 1900 examples above, would not put me off to any great degree, as the coins are otherwise superb.

It looks a bit like a die flaw to me, which would not be the seller's fault. Although generally speaking, it's good form to mention it in the sales pitch. Were you able to close up the pic before you bought/bid, whatever, such that it would have been readily visible? I may be wrong about it being a die flaw - have to see what others think.

I do have one or two otherwise really nice coins with carbon spots. I'll be honest, I don't like them, and whenever possible I would pay more to obtain a problem free specimen. But you have to weigh quality elsewhere, with the deleterious tendency of the carbon stain. Sometimes the coin is otherwise so good, that you end up overlooking the carbon stain eyesore.

It depends what cache and charisma (if an inanimate object can have charisma) the rare coin has. The 1933 has it in spadeloads. There are, by contrast, many exceedingly rare coins, which wouldn't fetch a meaningful fraction of what that goes for.

Exactly what I thought. A bit flat for me this time around.

There are a few left of these left unsold and I felt I couldn't miss the opportunity to snap up a rarity, namely the 1861 Freeman 28, which he has at rarity 18. Made Steve an offer of £250 via Lee, which he accepted. Picked up the coin from the Post Office today. Very pleased.

Thanks. I was also very surprised to subsequently hear nothing. I even kept an eye on the local papers and websites at that time, to see if anybody had been charged, but nothing. The only thing I can assume is that the police - for whatever reason - decided not to charge the owner, but dish out a warning instead. In which case they probably wouldn't have needed to contact me again. Ultimately, no idea.

Both the 1918H & KN are things of outstanding beauty - "stands and applauds"

In the boiling hot July of 2006 - 10 years ago - I actually smashed the window of a car left near the canal, as there was a dog inside, and the car was in full blazing sunlight at about 3pm. It was well over 30 degrees in the shade, so God knows what the inside of the car was like. Anyway, I reached inside and opened the door, the poor dog whimpered his way out, and laid on the ground, panting like hell. I immediately called the police on my phone to tell them what I'd done. They came out about 30 minutes later, accompanied by the RSPCA, took my details and said something like "OK mate, we might need to talk to you again". The RSPCA took the dog away, and the police were checking on the vehicle itself. No sign whatever of the owner. I then walked home. I'd wanted to give the dog some water, but didn't have any, so poured some cold coke on him in the hope it would cool him down a bit. If he'd been left much longer, he'd have been a goner. All this time I'd half been expecting the owner to return and attack me, or to get arrested by the police for malicious damage. But neither. Somewhat surprisingly I never heard another thing. I agree with you, Pete. If you can't look after a pet, don't have one.

Thirded

Portugal 1:0 France aet

I never have, nor do I have any idea of what one would fetch at auction. Obviously they're extremely rare, with a only a few or one example known of each. Any ideas/experiences chaps? Thanks in advance

No, but in the "Trials, Proofs & Anomalies" section of his British Bronze Penny book, Gouby states the following with regard to the Freeman 2 - "Gold Proof = 1 known. Glen's Auc. 18/9/1963 # 278 pAS (Note included from Royal Family collection) <13.74 gms > (1) Norweb - 17/6/1987 Spink Auc # 1731 pAS £12,516 (1)" - so perhaps the £80k of curiosity mentioned by Vicky Silver above, might be close to the current mark.

Pete's asked us to post more......So with that in mind, does anybody know who owns the gold proof 1860 penny, known as a Freeman 2? Or is it in a museum. Just interested on an academic level as you never hear of it, leastways I haven't.

The one and only time I've heard the term "Bobbins" was when I was on a work course in Manchester, and the course tutor (a local) used it when she was asked a question and wasn't sure about the answer. So I assume a Manchester and district expression?

Always great to have provenance.

I like to post, but some days there's not a whole lot to say, unfortunately.

Hmm, saw this thread a bit late. Considering how woeful Germany's recent record against Italy has been, I'd have gone for a 2:0 win to Italy.

RIP Chet Krause. A sad loss to the numismatic community, but at least he was a good age.

I would estimate near fine.

Neat - well played, Jerry. Just shows it often pays off to search through the foreign e bay listings. I've noticed that the scarce/rare 1861 varieties are quite often overlooked.

Can't find anything. Probably sounds a bit obvious, but might it be worth e mailing them.

Lucky you, but even luckier, the guy who found it in a dealer's junk bowl.