1949threepence

Actually it has caused confusion and irritation before on many occasions, to both sides. In any dealings with Americans or American companies it's always best to write the day and the actual month in, like "14th March 2021", so it can't be misread, and to confirm any dates with them using the month. So if they put 10.2.21, that they meant October 2nd 2021. As in "thanks for your invitation to xxxxxx set for October 2nd 2021".

I'm afraid it's been the case for a long time, Chris. In the same way you'd get a red underlined "spelling error" for the English centre instead of the American center etc. Try it you'll see.

Yep, with some of them it's like trying to break into Fort Knox to get at the coin.

I'm sure they'd all plead ignorance and "sold in good faith". What I suspect may have happened is that somewhere, (maybe more than once), along the line, a buyer realised they'd been sold a lemon, and then decided to off load it as a legitimate item to get their money back. Proving that would be next to impossible, as it remains between that seller and their conscience, with absolutely no witnesses.

Indeed, how far back does the "chain of ignorance" go?

Certainly made hard work of what should be a simple two photo presentation.

The database is an excellent idea. I must create one at some point. Very useful. At the moment I just keep all the receipts, or even a hard copy of a screenshot if I don't get a proper receipt with the item. I might incorporate a space for a photo of the receipt.

If you see them in plain text, highlight the text, right click and then click on "go to" which will have the web address in front of it. Of course these days, so many are using mobile devices, that "click", as by a mouse, only applies to desktop PC's and some laptops. As far as the fake halfcrown is concerned, it's very easy for both buyer and seller to have been totally duped. Dates/denominations such as the 1905 halfcrown and shilling are prime targets for fakery, so you've really got to know your stuff before buying one. Especially from the shark infested waters of e bay.

That's a really useful addition, and if you're interested in shillings, I'd also recommend David Groom's book "The identification of British 20th Century silver coin varieties". Obviously as the name suggests, it's only 20th century, but it's very good and served me well when I collected 20th century shillings. As far as coin fairs, if you're in Manchester, then maybe the York coin fair might be a great option for you. What would it be? about 70 odd miles straight along the M62. They're normally held every January and July, and are one of the principal annual coin fairs. In addition to the two you mention. Anyway welcome to the forum and good luck with the collecting.

Ah, hadn't realised that. Fair enough. Still expensive though. Could just issue an official correction sheet to be sealed onto the pack somewhere as an alternative to sending the entire thing back (if there's room), and give customers the choice. How long before we get the rare "Televison" sets offered on e bay at an inflated price (or the other way round)

Absolutely. It doesn't say much for their Quality Assurance. Also, at the risk of becoming a bore, the other thing I still can't quite get my head round, is why they would want the entire set to be returned because of spelling/grammatical errors in the pack. Surely it would be more sensible just to issue a new pack to the registered addresses of the buyers, with a short explanatory note and apology. Anyone with half a brain would realise that the majority just won't bother because of the additional hassle and inconvenience.

I've met two, both totally contrasting characters. One was Bruce Forsyth at a London restaurant in 2002 when we somehow got in each other's way in a narrow corridor leading to the Gents - you know when you both intend to avoid each other but move in the same direction, and he looked really nasty and said "Get out of the effing way you dickhead" - charming, thought I. Not a bit like his TV persona. I just wish now I'd given him a mouthful back instead of saying sorry. The other was Frank Skinner in a pub in Chelmsford, also in 2002 (no idea what he was doing there), but I accidentally dropped a £2 coin and it rolled along the floor. Frank picked it up, handed it to me, and said "here you go mate, don't chuck your money away" in that familiar Brummie accent of his. He was there with a woman - maybe his partner. No idea.

Mine too - and therein lies the problem. A reluctance to go for a re-print because of that. Probably explains why it's not happened. However, as long as there are some in existence, albeit expensive and very hard to get, it's not too much of a problem. I'm not sure about that. You may be right of course, but I can't say I've seen any decline in interest. If there is it may perhaps reflect a lack of technical knowledge amongst the newer collectors, who will no doubt catch up in time. Any rate, as you say, it'll be interesting to see.

Can't be 100% certain, but from the appearance I'd say more probable than not, that it hasn't been cleaned. Need a better pic.

If anyone wants to look up an old Spink Numismatic circular, you can get a copy of any one (or part of one) you want for a small fee, from the Fitzwilliam Museum library. That's where I got my 1895 scan about the small date 1857 last year. The link to the Spink circulars list, which start on page 101 is here Just e mail this address and ask for the one you want. They'll let you know the nominal charge:-> licensing@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk As far as Spink themselves, you'd get more sense from the cat. @Mr T - you might find the above useful info.

Thanks for the above Ian. Once again, fantastically useful information. Interesting you say that not many were collecting Bramah variations at that time. Do you think that Bramah has had something of a renaissance since then? I must admit, I don't see him referred to very often - only by the more experienced sellers. It's a pity his book has only one edition and is so rare. Many, probably most, must have been lost or destroyed since the original publication in 1929, over 90 years ago, and we are left with mainly high priced ex library copies. Maybe there should be a re-print of his book. Copyright expires 70 years after the author's death, and as Bramah died in 1942, that 70 years was reached in 2012. I wonder if Rotographic would entertain this idea. Or maybe those who own a copy of the original book would prefer to keep things the way they are. But of course, whatever the reason, you are spot on, as it's clear that very few DFF's of even 1844 are available nowadays. Between 2007 and 2012, it would not have been too difficult to get one. So the figures are conclusive, then and now.

Thanks Richard. I would say that is is, without doubt, the most difficult of the circulated Victoria copper penny series to obtain. Even more so than the 1854/3 and the 1854 no colon variety. Thanks to Ian I've now bought one, but there were none on the open market. Obviously the 1843 is a rare penny in and of itself. Ian's figures showed that maybe just over 11 in every 100 1843 pennies extant, is a DFF type, which considerably amplifies that already existing rarity.

Thanks a lot Ian, much appreciated. Will now be saving exclusively for the last piece in the jigsaw. Ah, the scarcer no stop before first W. Yes indeed. Although only seen two, the one I bought, and another one currently on offer with Coopers Coins. So they're also few and far between.

Yeah, but not everybody will. Just those who might be interested. I would if it was me. But fair point, I hadn't looked at it in that way.

Very pleased to obtain one of the last pieces of the jigsaw in the Victorian copper penny series I've been collecting for the last year. It's an 1843 DFF Bramah 3b type, in perhaps near VF. Private buy agreed with Ian a day or two ago, and just received today. Despite a careful lookout and a daily dedicated search of e bay 1843's since last April, I haven't previously seen one. Nor any at auction. Over the last 17 years, 4 have been sold at LCA, in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018, but they were all of very low grade, sub fine. This specific variety is a rarity within a rarity, as 1843 is scarce to begin with. If I'd spurned this opportunity I might have been waiting a long time for another. So many thanks to Ian.

You're probably right. Maybe the best way is to wait for a few months, buy another, and see if you can spot the difference.

Another thought comes to mind. Would the intention be to issue a completely new set on receipt of the old one? If so, what would happen to the old sets? Moreover, why not just issue a new package, and ask buyers to destroy the old packages? I'm afraid I'd be asking all these awkward questions merely to inconvenience them in the same way they intend to inconvenience you. Then when you get the usual generic response (as you assuredly will do), you can contact them again to say they still haven't answered your questions, and until they do you won't consider returning the package. It's really good when they want something of you, and you've got the whip hand for once.

No, but the fact that RM have asked you to return it, means you should definitely keep it. What sort of company would ask you to return the entire thing - with the time and inconvenience that entails, plus the cost - merely for a "minor printing/spelling mistake"? Might be interesting to see if you get a reply that makes logical sense (I know that's stretching it a bit in the 21st century) if you contact them and ask what the minor error is.

We can all learn from it, Martin. In scrupulous fairness to you, I have seen similar heads up posts in the non private part of the forum, go unremarked upon. The problem is the very large amount of non member traffic through the forum, as can be seen if you ever click on the online users link. Even at 3am our time, as it reaches a global audience. Maybe @TomGoodheart could delete the post. Although he's not on here that frequently, and apart from Chris Perkins, we never see the others at all. Or once in a blue Moon. Although if you PM'd one, an e mail is sent out, which they might well see.