1949threepence

Yes, I had an e mail from LCA today headed up "The David Reissner collection of pennies" - for a brief moment I thought it was a different collection to the Elstree. .

It is expensive. Plus there is a very noticeable die crack running across the area of the lighthouse. Educational piece. I wouldn't buy it, mind.

Interesting one on e bay - going as a BIN for £400 - where the letters on the reverse are very weak/almost absent - link

Indeed so, David. They are the Cinderella underdogs to their much bigger cousins, the pennies. I'm led to understand that during the 1950's and 60's, for example, there were very few really old halfpennies still in circulation, whereas a relatively high number of buns, veiled and Edward VII pennies were obviously still circulating - presumably, as you say, because of the accelerated amount of wear they sustained.

Some really nice purchases there, Jon. Super coins..

45 years since decimal currency was introduced, and 50 years since the (then) Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Right Hon James Callaghan MP, announced that we would be going decimal in 5 years time. Take a peek at this interview with him from March 1966. ETA: also watched the succeeding interview with Callaghan and Robin Day from 1971 - my word, how straight spoken he was. What a breath of fresh air compared to the mealy mouthed politicians we have today.

Although it looks like a die fault, David. Albeit in a very interesting place.

I'm bidding on four - one of them a proof

Can't make it tomorrow, unfortunately. But thanks Rob.

Looking at the £2 coins in circulation, there seems to be adequate variety, and sufficient instances of low mintage, to make this a worthwhile and rewarding sideline. It also affords an opportunity to collect from change, which I personally have never really been able to do, or at any rate, there never seemed any particular point in doing it. What started me off was receiving two Commonwealth games £2 coins (English flag, EF & Welsh flag UNC) over the last few weeks. Ironically enough both from the same place, our staff canteen. Anybody else done or considering doing this ? £2 coin mintage figures here

Skimming through the decimal section, I found this old thread I started a few years ago. I really must re-start my £2 coin collection, which I've neglected to add to since 2012. (and avoid the temptation to spend any of them when short of change)

Always happy to help, Matt

Matt, I've got the 1985 edition. At page 19, MF writes the following:- Hope this helps.

Off the top of my head I'd go for GEF/UNC. Nice coin.

Now fully loading - problem fixed

Undoubtedly, probably considerable carnage.

Incidentally guys, there has been a very significant number of additions to the Elstree Collection of pennies, as compared to the original listing for the March "preview" - in case anybody hadn't noticed.

Absolute Magic I just had to copy and paste this !!!

Cheers for the heads up, Pete

Thanks a lot, Matt.

I must admit, Matt, I hadn't realised they were quite that rare. Took a look at some of the major collections and at some LCA auctions before discovering the thread linked to above

Apparently there's only one, and it's in the British Museum - all is revealed on this thread from 2014 You can write a quick post thanking me later, Ian, as I've had to spend a fair bit of time searching for you

So what's the background to these latest coins, ChKy? How rare/common are they, and what is the demand for them amongst collectors in Germany?

Cheers Pete

It was a struggle, but I got there in the end - cheers Matt