Sword

The previous owners obviously wanted to keep it shiny and the damage has developed over many years. The extra wear after each polishing wouldn't be noticed.

This example is for sale in the next LCA. It's almost impossible to believe that it can get to this grade by normal "circulation". It must have been manually polished often in the past. I have never seen a wreath crown with so much wear.

If Alastair Campell doesn't want to accept the Brexit 50p, then it is simply his choice and he is not bothering anyone. However, I do find the statement "it should be boycotted by all literate people" somewhat insulting. It implies that you are not really literate if you don't agree with using the "oxford comma". I am rather inclined to think that the majority of "literate" people believe that the "oxford comma" is optional in this situation. It's like saying to someone that they should never wear a blue suit to an interview and grey must be colour. It comes across as opinionated and rather out of touch.

"BRITT OMN REGINA", Queen of all Britons was dropped as recognition of our Queen's relationship with the Commonwealth. The nations in the Commonwealth realm recognise the Queen as their monarch. Some nations in the Commonwealth have became republics and they recognise the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth but not as monarch. Hence our Queen is also the Queen of many other nations and the Head of a number of others.

Yes, it is a very rare variety but haven't you just posted a photo of an ordinary penny? Here is the only known example.

They should have allowed people to pay a deposit and pre order. Then the mint can make just the correct number to satisfy demand. The date was effectively written in stone after the general election.

😀 But as a penny collector, you would pay a lot more money for dates having inverted ones though.

It is if you include the 8:08pm bit ... (yes, I realised I was pushing it)

Come to think of it, we should have asked for 02/02/2020 to be Brexit Date instead of the rather ordinary 31/01/20. (But I doubt somehow that EU would agree)

I remember the Beijing Olympics starting at 8:08pm on 08/08/08. That's also a palindrome.

I think it is just some problem in translation. It probably relate to the strike of the coin. I have used Google translate on the paragraph on "coinage" and got the following: "Coining In evaluating a coin, it is very important, especially for the oldest ones, in particular for those minted with a hammer, to examine the quality of the production process and the materials used for minting. Specimens that have a large fracture-free rod, where minting is centered both on the straight and on the reverse, will receive a high rating. Coins that show a minting with a strong beat such as to produce high reliefs, will also receive a high price. On the contrary, specimens made with an insufficient beat or that have coinage slips, will obtain a lower rating. The same importance is reserved for the production made with non-worn and non-rusty coins."

Since the Royal Mint is State owned, it ought to be making as much money as it can. They should have sold the thing at a higher issue price and have a higher mintage. I mean why a mintage of 1500 for a gold proof? At least go for 2020 pieces and say that's because it is the year of brexit.

Of course you wouldn't. Destroying 50p coins is also a silly thing that people won't do either. :-) There are however reports that some people won't accept them; Alastair Campbell because he doesn't believe in the slogan, and Philip Pullman said it should be "boycotted by all literate people". Hence, you have an even bigger chance of building a hoard if you want to.

Scare? Dream on!

The prices are finally out on the Royal Mint site: Price LEP Gold Proof £945.00 1500 Silver Proof £60.00 47000 Brilliant Uncirculated £10.00 Unlimited Two-coin set £30.00 5000 Strike on the Day Sovereign £800.00 1500 A number of gold Sovereigns will be struck on the day and these particular coins will feature a portcullis privy mark. I really want to get a BU example. It will however cost me 50p as I will get one from post office or bank or circulation 😀 As usual, I prefer to collect a currency coin than a proof.

What I meant was that the statement isn't true today, won't be true on the 31st and will not come true in the foreseeable future. It cannot be achieved by Brexit or by remaining in the EU. History tell us that we will unfortunately have to go to war in the future. There will always be governments we will not be on friendly terms with. How can we ever claim prosperity with all nations when there are so many human beings living in proverty. Hence, I said that the phrase "Commenoration of Brexit" would be better as it is direct and to the point. "Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations" just sounds pretentious.

I do not object to the Oxford comma (although I wouldn't use it on this occasion). I just object to the word "all".

Sir Philip Pullman is protesting about the Brexit 50p coin. He is complaining that the "Oxford comma" is missing from the coin's wording: "Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations." https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51269012 It's the first time I have heard of the term "Oxford comma" which is a comma in front of the word "and". I was taught at school that comma is optional and I have never used it myself. Let's do a poll on the number of people for and against this comma. Wouldn't it be funny if it is an ironic 48:52 split.

Mine too! It is incredible how well children remember an unexpected extension to a school holiday!

I was too young then to know what happened to the stock market ...😀

Yes, I remembered that well. Michael Fish so famously predicted that we would not be badly affected the night before. I woke up the next morning and was shocked to see that so many of the wooden garden fences and tress have fallen over. The wind blew off part of the school roof and the kids enjoyed an extended half term break.

I remember collecting those cards in PG Tips boxes when I was a kid. The two most memorable series were flags of the world and unsolved mysteries of the world. It is a shame that they have stopped these more than 20 years ago.

I don't think this will be an issue once contactless payment becomes the norm for all small amounts. The retailers will then simply factor the transaction fees into the retail prices. (Hopefully, fees will also be lower if there are more contactless transactions assuming the banks don't get too greedy) For example, a shop selling suits expect nearly everyone to pay with card, and so the retail prices have already factored in the card fees.

This mistake is actually quite common. You can find a number of examples if you Google. E.g. https://www.nhp.gov.in/hospital/scared-heart-hospital-delhi-north-delhi The sign in my photo wasn't altered by Photoshop. It was actually taken from the screenshot of a movie.

Bo Jo quite understandably would want everyone to handle the 50p commemorating his handiwork. 10 million sounds about right.