1949threepence

Yes, some absolute gems there - especially impressed with the 1875H and the 1878.

He's that type of guy, Pete. Responded to me within a few hours over a query I had about my F69, a year or so back. Top bloke. If you remember from the other thread too, he also signed his Gouby book for me before he shipped it! I should have thought to ask him to sign mine as well

He's that type of guy, Pete. Responded to me within a few hours over a query I had about my F69, a year or so back. Top bloke.

Well.......it might be a worn down die number. But more likely it's just a smudge of some sort. Very difficult to know. f it is a die No, what a shame it's worn down. Of course, they're as rare as hen's teeth, and you hardly ever see them for sale, even at the top auctions. Alfnail had a worn one up on e bay for £995 ( think Die No 4), but he withdrew and sold to a previous client. One of my biggest wants, an 1863 die No - not fussy as to which, or condition of specimen.

Lovely coin, Bob.

Funnily enough it's the same over here. Similar temperatures forecast tomorrow due to exceptionally mild air, coming up all the way from the vicinity of Madeira/The Azores.

I've blown up your picture and I see a slight smudge wher the H would be I don't have the books next to me. seem to recall 1882 no H has a different die combination, so Hi res scans both sides please Fingers crossed for you! David Looks like F12 to me, as the eye is quite palpably closer to the bridge of the nose on F11, which the 1882 without a H is solely described as being. So either tooled, or the photo does not show up the H for whatever reason. Definitely an 1882H and I got all over excited for nothing. Sorry for the fuss, people. A few weeks ago Bernie Workman posted a picture of his excellent London 1882 Penny: http://www.predecimal.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5326&view=findpost&p=41765 To me the eye does indeed look closer to the bridge of the nose on Bernie's coin. The only one where I can't detect any mark under the date, is the one shown in the link above (Bernie's)

Whenever these 1882 no H's come up, there always seems to be some tell tale mark under the date.

Happy Birthday, Bob - enjoy !

At page 92 of his book, "The British Bronze Penny, 1860 to 1901" Michael Gouby says of the 1897 raised dot, Freeman 147:- "Rev: Die Flaw. Result a small raised dot between the O and N of ONE. It is possible that a small piece of grit, metal filing, etc, got trapped on the die leaving a small indent when it fell out. Thereby, when the die was next used the result was - a small raised dot o the coin! Originally it was thought to be a die identification mark, which has since been discounted." At page 51 of his 1985 edition of "The Bronze coinage of Great Britain", Michael Freeman says:- "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 in this area has been seen" So it's possible it might have started out small and grown larger.

Did you ever manage to flog that one, Dave?

So after all the debate we had about the 1882 no H penny 5 years ago, is this latest offering at the LCA for March 2016, the real deal? 1882 no H I still go back and forth on whether there is such a thing as a genuine 1882 no H, actually available for collectors. Whllst I accept that there was an UNC 1882 found with an 1883 die combination (see previous page of thread from Bernie), it could be a bit like the 1954 penny debate. Just the one - or potentially more? If so, were any released into circulation? Or are the ones we see, all tooled? I note the coin shown went for £2,200 last time out. Seems a bit of a risk if there is uncertainty as to genuineness.

Clearly we don't know the circumstances underlying the sale. The vendor may still be in two minds about the remainder of his collection, or may have just decided to sell the ones already listed. Possibly some more will emerge at a subsequent auction, or maybe, as you postulate Matt, there will be further additions to this auction, given that it's still nearly 3 months away.

One of the gaps I'd like to complete in my collection is the F74, F76, F77 and F78, to complete all 1874 variants. Unfortunately there are no 1874's in those specimens on offer in the Elstree sale.

Some date gaps, and I'm a little dubious about the 1882 no H, but this is more than made up for by the exceptional quality elsewhere. All I can do is save a bit between now and then, and go all out for one specimen. Wouldn't be able to afford more than one, especially with the 17% buyer's premium on top. Don't want to lose out completely on this rare opportunity though.

Well I've no idea who he is, but will certainly look forward to seeing what he is selling come the March 16 LCA. Any outstanding examples you can quote would be welcome. Some nice pennies on the LCA site. Yes indeed - thanks Pete. Hadn't realised they'd already be on the website. Some absolutely brilliant specimens there. Will fetch a lot of money. I think those bidding estimates are very conservative, given the very high quality.

Well I've no idea who he is, but will certainly look forward to seeing what he is selling come the March 16 LCA. Any outstanding examples you can quote would be welcome.

I wouldn't buy it. It's not that brilliant a coin, and it's been cleaned. 1897 isn't a scarce date, and there are far better specimens out there, which you probably won't have to wait too long to see. . You don't want to invest in an inferior coin and later on upgrade, only to have wasted money on the original. Better to buy a decent example rigght now.

I was astounded in a positive way, to get it for that price. In fact the ones to look out for are those that are on auction with a high starting price, but one which is lower than the coin's true value. I've noticed, time and time again that, so often, they attract no serious attention and end up going for little if any more than that original low starting price.

I got mine for £231 from e bay, back in December 2012.. Had a start price of £225, and I think there was only me and one other bidder at the end.

OK, thanks. Was just wondering

I noticed one guy had a few 1869 pennies, and at least one of them suddenly shot up in price - all were BIN's.

If it's not impertinent, may ask why your 1863 die No 4 was withdrawn from sale on e bay?

That's absolutely true, of course. I've made several auction bids where the winning bid has been just £50 above mine. As you say, we never know. You need to have that line in the sand above which you will not bid. In an auction, discipline (as with other forms of investing) is essential otherwise you can get drawn into a bidding war and end up paying well over what a coin is worth. I was the underbidder on the 1791 pattern sixpence. Having recently acquired the 1788 and 1790 patterns, I had a view on what this coin was worth. My line in the sand was £650 and the coin went for £700. Well above estimate I would add. Coin collecting is a long game and another 1791 Pattern will show up sooner or later and, hopefully, I will get it then. It definitely is a long game, and a game in which one has to be very patient over protracted periods of time. Eventually an opportunity to obtain the coin you want. Then it's a matter of what you pay/bid, how good the coin is, and whether such a chance will come up again.

Mr T mentioned Michael Gouby. I've got his book covering bronze coinage minting operations from 1860 to 1869. It's a very good book, with a lot of really interesting historical information - here's a link