Bernie

You are correct, the coin has been handled many times, apparently it was kept loose in the curator's (G.P.D) desk draw for many years.

The proof set pictured does amazingly have coins struck in different years, it surprised me, I've seen it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-1869-Penny-Queen-Victoria-/192090131508?hash=item2cb976cc34:g:XwMAAOSwImRYjOAM The coin appears to be an exceptional strong strike but the mantle design appears wrong. Victoria hair also appears wrong. Lots of other small details not right. What do other forum members think. It would be a shame if they started faking these to such a high standard.

The pennies struck accidentally in nickel are attracted to a magnet. how about yours ?

Another fake, I'm afraid !

The Ex Clarke Thornill, Freeman coin 11.11 grams sold in James Workman collection at Colin Cooke coins auctions in 2010 for £2400 + premium.

I have come across a 1908 half sovereign for sale for £65. The seller claims that he has tested the gold content of it and it appears to be 9ct. The coin is in fine grade and weighs approximately 3 grams. The dealer informs me that he believes that it was struck by the royal mint. The coin appears 100% genuine to me. Does any forum member know of an explanation for the existence of this coin please. I do not have pictures of this coin.

This latest Freeman 4/5 penny of 11.16 grams could be an addition to coins known to me, 1860 Fr 4 sold Oct. ’97. 9.23 grams, Another 11.3 grams. Another 11.097 grams, Another 10.389 grams, Another 10.31 grams. More exist. 1860 Fr 5 sold Dec. '00. 13.62 grams. Another VF 13.76 grams, another ex. Peck 13.9 grams. ex. Norweb, Another 11.512 grams.more exist.?

When the pre decimal coinage was in circulation, the 1912H penny was as common as the 1912 penny. It is equally likely that 1912H pennies were saved in UNC because they were unusual. Most 1951 pennies still survive, far more than the number of penny collectors. A coin is not rare if almost every dealer has a selection of them.

£200 max for a BU 1912H, there are more of these now in existence than a 1912 standard. Same goes for 1951, more common than 1949 in BU.

The weight of this die pairing varies between 9.3 grams and 13.7 grams, where Freeman 4 ends and Freeman 5 starts is debatable. Anyhow the weight of 11.16 grams is over standard weight. Thank you very much for the info.

The picture of the coin indicates the coin is a beauty ! Well done. Spink pictures have been generally quite poor. I think the coin will more than likely resemble the PCGS picture. When you receive the coin would you please weigh it, including its slab, so that we can attempt to work out the weight of the coin please.

I managed to get an original November 1991, auction 89 catalogue from an internet site "Dymasia". They have many more auction catalogues advertised on their website.

I have visited the BM website. I have noticed that many coins are listed in their collection but most have no pictures. I was wondering if any forum member know whether pictures are available or even if the coins can be viewed by visiting the museum.

Mike, Thank you for the information. I will look out for an original auction catalogue. It will give me something else to search for. No big deal if I don't find one.

That is brilliant Rob, I must look out for a copy of the auction catalogue.

Rob, Have you any pictures or info from the auction catalogue, please ?

Mike, Is the picture from the Empire coin company an actual photograph or a Scanned ? picture of some sort. If it was reproduced in 1963, the technology to copy from a photograph was very basic. The picture submitted by Secret Santa was a "Scan" of the coin. The actual coin has some residual subdued lustre. I have attached another picture from the front cover page of the 1992 coin news.

The small scratch in front of the helmut plume and the two dents in the trident prongs, also the dent in the bottom stem of the "E" of "ONE" are visible on the 1992 coin News picture and yours.

Thanks Mike for your close up picture. The attached picture is from Coin News of January 1992. The 1954 penny was sold, by auction ?, on 25th November 1991 by Spink & Son. If there was an auction on that date I would be most interested to hear about it, as I don't have a copy. the coin was bought by Keith Ashman. The coin then changed hands again on the 10th April 1992, to the present owner. The royal mint have never contested the ownership of the coin probably because they had no evidence that the coin had left the mint illegally. ("Hearsay" one curator of the mint believes that he knew how the coin left the mint.)

The modern pictures of the 1954 penny were produced on a scanner. There is some residual lustre on the actual coin.

Hello Mike, Is it possible to get a clearer picture of the reverse from the letter ? please.

Went yesterday, some really lovely coins there, but they are getting very expensive !

I thought that I was losing it !! I was about to eat my hat !

Are you sure that this coin is obverse 4 ?? can you see L.C.WYON below the bust ?? the outer ribbon also appears thinner. The toothed border is thinner. Are you sure it's not obverse 5 ??