RLC35

B&C Collector, Thanks for your input. I agree with your statements, and suggestions. While I am not a confidant of Michael Freeman, I have conducted business, and correspondance with him, and would try to place PCGS in contact with him, should they come forward with that request. I cannot say that Michael would entertain the idea, but he would be a respected impartial party, with an excellant reputation, should the request be made from PCGS. I think the ball is in PCGS's court at this point. Bob C.

Chris, It is 8:15 in the evening here in the USA EDT (1:15 am your time, I think), and your sales section works ok for pennies. I just gave it a try. You must have it fixed! It must be nice to be ablke to fix things while you sleep! <gggg>. Bob C.

Coin King, The classic 1860 TB/BB has an extremely worn reverse die, and that is why they are all struck poorly, some woose than others. That is also why is is belived so few exist of the classic TB/BB. The reverse die was scrapped soon after only a few pieces were struck. Peck puts the Rev A at excessively rare (EXR), the next lower class from unique. (which is one of a kind). Freeman places the rarity of the Rev A at R17, which is 16 to 50 pieces known. These reverses both are in combination with the Obverse 2 (toothed). The toothed border reverse, with the look-a-like beads appearing from 4 through 5 o'clock are very common, and do not really belong in the class with the classic TB/BB. Many of these are advertised here in the USA as toothed/partial beaded border farthings. I recently received a list that had two of this type for sale. I have one myself, and it is definatley a "toothed" reverse. Additionally the eBay coin that started this inquirey was returned to the seller, by a respected Forum member "Bronze and Copper" as not a vaild TB/BB farthing. It would be nice to see this coin relabeled as TB/Partial BB reverse, so as to make a distinct variety on its own, and better serve its own identity. It would be also a positive move to bring this controversy to the attention of Michael Freeman, who is probably the most knowledgable person on British coin types and varieties. that is just a thought, as I have not approached him on this. Does anyone else want to weigh in on the subject? Regards, Bob C.

I counted the tooths(beads) on the reverse of the coin (picture) provided by Bronze and Copper, that he had obtained on ebay, and the count came to 136 teeth on the reverse of the coin. This is not consistant with the 130 beads on the normal beaded reverse, of the mule. It also has the teeth closer to the outer rim than the inner circle. The beads on the mule are closer to the inner circle. A couple of other things are... that it has the single rock, more like the toothed type reverse, and the zero (0) of the date touches the inner rim, which it does not on the mule. I would think a differant designation would better clarify this coin, than to be classified as the classic mule of 1860. I would agree with Colin... that this would better identify the classification of this coin. I think it would also help clear any misunderstanding about this coin variety. Bob C.

It is nice hearing from the slabbing company that graded and slabbed the coin that started the inquirey. Thanks for comng on the Forum. I hadn't noticed the die break on the 6th bead going to the shield, until you mentioned it, but I had noticed the slight die crack in the left field of the reverse that makes the tower look like it is being struck by lightning. Both my speciman, and TEQ's, have that slight crack in the field. Both also have the crack at the 6th bead. Does the bead count on your slabbed speciman have 130 beads? It would be interesting to see a pic of your speciman out of the slab, since th picture that was shown on the forum did not have a clear view of the border, and made it hard to determine its validity. Thanks again for your input. Bob C.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrived in the USA this week to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement. It was the earliest settlement by the English in the New World. She is making a great impression for your country. She is very popular here. Tomorrow she is to attend the annual "Run for the Roses" at the Famed Kentucky Derby in Lousiville, KY. Louisville is about a 2 hour drive from Indianapolis, where I live. The Queen has horses stabled in Kentucky, and makes "unofficial" visits, on occasion, we are told by the newspapers. I thought it might be of some interest to you all. Bob C.

Teq, You are right on the bead count...it is exactly 130! I have attached a pic of my Mule, it is not as nice as yours. Bob C.

Teq, Thanks for the pic of your Mule. I had never heard of counting the beads, but I will now do that also. I have a VF (cleaned) Mule, not quite as sharp as yours, I purchased it from Michael Freeman. This has been an interesting conversation on the Mule. Thanks to all. Bob C.

Josie, I think the biggest issue is the oil supply. The US is so dependant on foreign oil, it hurts us in the balance of trade. We have been slow to find alternate types of energy. The Central and South Americans have been far more progressive that ourselves, with the use of ethanol fuels, and the like. We are building ethanol refinerys at a fast rate, and since we have an ample supply of corn and suger beets, (the products they make ethanol from) that should help considerably. It is still a long term issue for us though. As for our currency even at 2 to 1, we are gaining against the UK pound sterling. When I was young, a English pound was worth 5 US dollars. But in the last year we have lost a little ground going from about 1.80 to almost 2.00 US$ per poiund. The Phil. Peso and the US$ are a little less volatile, but there is still a trend going on there. Our economy is very strong at the present. The DOW Jones Industrials (stock market) set an all time high Friday of 12,961, which is a positive sign. Thanks for the information, it has been pleasant talking to you about this. Bob C.

Josie, You are right, most gold is stored! In the USA most is in a bunker at Fort Knox, KY. Since the US has not been on the gold standard for many years, gold is more symbolic, than a hard assett of our currency. As for making gold illegal again as it was in 1933, that would have very little effect on our economy. It is very hard to get a better economy than what it is now when 95.4% of the country is employed (4.5% unemployment). There is an exception though, Michigan has a real recession, especially Detroit, where the unemployment rate approaches 12-15%, due to the collapse of the American Auto Industry there! Bob C.

Colin, THanks a second time today for your help. I appeciate your point of view. Regards, Bob C.

I have an 1865 Farthing that I am not sure what variety it is. I have attached a full size pic at 10x for you all to take a look at, and see if you can identify what it is. I have a 1865, 5 over 3, but it does not look like this one. I will add some additional pic's, but I will have to add them in subsequent posts, due to size. Bob C. Here is a 60x pic of the 5 in the date. It almost looks like an 8. Bob C. Here is a 60x pic of the 5 in the date. It almost looks like an 8. Bob C. Here is the top of the 5 at 200x. Bob C. Here is the bottom of the 5, at 200x. Has anyone seen one like this before? Please advise. Thanks, Bob C. Here is a 60x pic of the 5 in the date. It almost looks like an 8. Bob C. I don't think I got the 3rd pic loaded. Here it is...I think! <ggg>. Here is a 60x pic of the 5 in the date. It almost looks like an 8. Bob C. Here is the top of the 5 at 200x. Bob C. Here is the bottom of the 5, at 200x. Has anyone seen one like this before? Please advise. Thanks, Bob C.

TEG, Thanks for the information. I think you are correct, since you can also see a little of the 2 below the 5 at the bottom. Thanks for the information. I appreciate it. Bob C.

Jamesred, I have two 1853 farthings (out of about 6 that I own), one has raised ww, and one has incuse ww. They both have the inverted "A's". The first coin also has a large die crack (break) through the first R in Brittanair. Bob C.

I have some good pictures of a 1861 6 over 8 Penny, but not the half Penny. Bob C.

Coins4U, I have three 1822 farthing. My best one, in my set, does not have the double D, but both spares have it. It is very sharp and clear on both, just like yours. They are both just average circulated. Bob C.

Coins4U, My 1825 does not have the five like yours. It could yours is from a damaged die, or an might be an error. I have never seen one like yours. Bob C.

Josie, I like your way of thinking!!! Keep it up! Bob C.

Josie, You are right...it is the law of our land to have "in God we trust" on our money. There's an old saying that goes with it...in God we trust, all other cash! As for our President having anything to do with it, he doesn't, but since he is a Christian, I am sure he goes along with it. As for the war, thank goodness for the First Marines, and the Black Watch, they served together in Korea, and also Iraq. Bob C.

I don't see the numismatic value in ScottishMoneys reply.... Bob C.

The Washington Dollars that escaped the mint without "in God we trust" are a mint errors, that was corrected after about 50,000 Dollars were already put into circulation, by the U.S. Mint. The first few copies that were noticed, brought $600.00 each, but the price has now stabilized at $40-$50. It definetly will be a collectore item. Bob C.

The real value of any numismatic program is...What does it do for the hobby? The USA Quarter series has brought a whole new generation of collectors into the hobby, and for that reason alone it has been a hugh success. I go to three to four differant local Coin Clubs a month, and at each of them, you see younger collectors entering the hobby. In most cases they started with the Quarter series. None of the new quarters are rare, or scarce, except for a few errors, but I think the program has been very helpful to the Hobby in general. Bob C.

Is the coin shown (1837 1/2d, small 7 over large 7) listed in any of the references? I have looked in Peck, but can't find. it. The 1837 is a low mintage 1/2d at 349,400, but I want to know if this re-punching adds any scarcity. Bob C.

There three types of 1837 Halfpenny date, none of the current refrrence books refer to the variations. They are Short 7, Long 7 and short over long as your example, Michael Gouby shows the three types on his web site. It would seem the 7/7 is the more common of the three John John, Thanks for your input. Gouby shows some good examples of the three types. Bob C.

Michael Gouby notes three types on his site. Long 7, Short 7 and Short over Long 7. I wouldn't think it would make any difference to the price. Thanks Rob. I have Gouby's penny book, but not one that has 1/2 pennys in it. I'll check the site out. I didn't think of it earlier. I appreciate your response. Bob C.