Sword

I do like the eagle on the 19C Reich Marks. Those used in the 1950s features starving birds. The American coins also feature good eagles.

That's a shame as this medal was awarded to significant scientists and inventors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Price_Wetherill_Medal#:~:text=The John Price Wetherill Medal,was last awarded in 1997. I believe it is a plated bronze medal with the recipient's name and year engraved on the reverse. Hence, the name and date is necessary to identify it.

I would probably grade it as poor/ fair.

This is an example currently on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286858256262?_ul=GB&rb_itemId=286858256262&rb_pgeo=GB&ff=11&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5339059258&toolid=10044&customid=EAIaIQobChMIw4mbmJKCkwMVNZFQBh1XmwlQEAQYASABEgJPmfD_BwE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw4mbmJKCkwMVNZFQBh1XmwlQEAQYASABEgJPmfD_BwE&wbraid=CkEKCQiA5I_NBhCCARIwAMgyZG8xxosq4BPX_CPxcGrxjS_UTjJ9HmTKiqjU2kNd9LefuQ78iABAQGBdF3BnGgLBPw&gbraid=0AAAAADA7Q_KTN7L5aJF6e68c0HDcbcgrU&adtype=pla&loc_physical_ms=9045836&loc_interest_ms=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20511325147&gbraid=0AAAAADA7Q_KTN7L5aJF6e68c0HDcbcgrU

Is the damage two small holes at the edge? I think quite a few were into swivel mount brooches.

Welcome to the predecimal forum! It's really nice that you have kept the coins from your early collecting days. £7.50 was indeed a lot in those days. Having one of those blue Wellington fivers made me felt rich when I started secondary school in the 80s. I collect silver rather than bronze but have brought a few pennies and half pennies as type examples. I think the first bronze I have brought was the same YH type: 1853 half penny. I then got a bun penny and half penny as I am fond of that portrait and it's a shame that it was never used on silver coinage.

I would say Fine, reverse better

I haven't brought a copy for sometime and wonder if Sovereign Rarities has done a reasonable / good job for the 2025 and 2026 catalogues.

I think the penny has already lost much its dignity when the RM started making them with copper plated steel. Even then, it costs more than it's face value to produce. I agree the penny coin is hugely symbolic but perhaps it is better to retire it soon rather letting it drag on.

I am OK without a circulating coin called a penny. But it would be nice if they continue to be included in year sets and also minted in silver for collectors. It will also be retained as a denomination even if physical circulating coins are no longer minted.

When I visited Wales many years ago, I came across an area where cafes and small shops gave prices in today's money and also the prices in ca 1900. If you want to, you can change your modern money into counterstamped Victorian / Edwardian pennies and use these in the cafes. This allows visitors to spend old money.

I haven't been carrying coins on me for many years now and pay for most things by contactless. Large coins wouldn't be considered convenient by many people I think. But I still carry notes and pay for things like takeaway deliveries by cash.

Even so, it is worth now several times what you have paid and so it was a good investment 🙂

Nice coin, and I wish I had brought one before it got so expensive. £200 was a good deal even then I think.

I remember my A level Chemistry teacher telling me that people used to wash their hands with benzene in university labs. Glad that it was banned by my days. But there are of course more "hazardous" substances that are still commonly used in labs because there are no safer alternatives. For example, if I have to choose between dipping my finger into benzene or into concentrated nitric acid, then my choice will of course be benzene.