1949threepence

Yes it's a beauty isn't it, and the apostrophe is well pronounced. That's well above average in terms of condition.

Knowing the type's history, as just alluded to, I actually did look at both BRITT AND IMP, several times at each as it happens. Concluded that it was far more probable than not that it wasn't a Gouby X, but still decided to go for it out of curiosity, plus the fact that it was cheap and better than my current ordinary 1911, so had nothing to lose - as stated in an earlier post.

Both I's are to a gap. It's interesting you say that Pete, as all the references to the hollow neck variety, pre Gouby, are of the I of IMP to a border tooth, not the I of BRITT. The earliest reference I can find is Court in September 1972, but no doubt it was discovered prior to that. Gouby doesn't even mention the type in his 1986 book, which covers pennies from 1860 to 1970. But he now says the I of BRITT pointing to a tooth is the determining factor. Although both I's point to a tooth on the variety, so the net effect is the same either way. . Freeman just refers to hollow necks in 1911 and 1912. I've never seen one from 1912. Peck makes no reference.

Plus the ones further round look thicker. I bought it anyway because it was a reasonable price and it's better than my current 1911, so I knew I had nothing to lose. Didn't think it was, but was worth a look if only for comparison purposes. But this is my pic of the same obverse. You can immediately see the difference. The moral being, when it comes to border teeth and things pointing to them, pics can be extremely deceptive.

Why did you decide to give up on collecting, out of interest?

Gouby X or optical illusion? link

Here you go, Chris - link Like Martin, I'm not convinced either. Same with a lot of proofs, VIP or otherwise. Sometimes it's absolutely blindingly obvious that the coin is a proof. The differences hit you in the eye immediately. But there's a lot that frankly don't really look any different to a currency issue.

Do not defund the police.

Although some consider that most of the 1935 pennies were mint darkened, the evidence shows that the normally lustred type form the great majority. So I was pleased to actually obtain a mint darkened specimen off e bay for the princely sum of just 20p !

Christ Almighty

Neat find Terry.

Some of them are ludicrously low - like the £150 to £250 for an 1863 die No 3 under date last year.

To be honest, I never noticed it until you said.

I've got to wait until all the first 9 cohorts are done. Although my partner is in a vulnerable category and will be in cohort 6, just after the 65 to 69 age group, which has actually already started in many areas. My parents are in their 70's and had their jabs a few weeks ago - both had the Pfizer. .

Mine was a stray before she came to me in 2012, and was used to her freedom. I found it literally impossible to keep her in from day 2, when she ran out through the front door when I was having something delivered - and they can move damn fast when they choose. I've got a cat flap so she come and go as she wants. Although she doesn't go out much in the Winter. Conversely most of those warm Summer nights she spends outside & sleeps in the house during the days. Somewhat oddly, she's never brought dead mice/birds in the house.

Well, obviously the top grade 1926 ME. More charisma and better known. But even so, that's not to downplay the cache which would attach to obtaining a 1946 "dotty". In fact not so much a dot, more an apostrophe shape.

They are Jon, and there is no doubt they do kill many millions of birds and small mammals every year. But the vast majority of birds they kill, would have died shortly afterwards anyway. Even the RSPB concede that - link Bottom line is that cats will be cats. It's hard wired in them to hunt prey.

Yes. A lot of people blame cats. But they only get chicks or the old and sick. The rest are way too quick for them. Most are killed as a result of bird on bird predation.

It's incredibly rare in high grade. I seem to remember reading somewhere on here that Dave Craddock had seen only one UNC specimen in 50 odd years. That's rare !

Great idea.

Hmmm.....this is how it looks in hand. Not darkened as in the e bay photo. Only done one side as they're both the same. How misleading can a photo be? Oh well, at least it's better than the one I've got, so not a total waste of money.

Maybe, but it still looks like wear in a year not necessarily associated with weak strikes. Shouldn't have been graded anywhere near as high, surely.

That's actually very good value for a PT 1853.

Wonder which were minted first from a pairing with that unique die, Ian - the OT or PT type. I'd assume it was the OT, then the PT, maybe right at the end of production for 1853. Rare for both.

I wondered that. I think their grading standards are slipping somewhat.