Mr_Stephen

A bit more cleaning of the coin has shown the final quarter reads "IS_". With the "_" being unknown. As for what that is...well, it looks like a trefoil if nothing else! Will try and get a photo, but I really don't think it's a saltire, as per other versions...

Hi! I'm trying to research a battered longcross that recently entered my possession. Its main identifying feature is an annulet on either side of the King's neck. Now, judging by what little is left of the inscription, it's definitely not an Edward. Do the annulets mean that it's going to be a Henry VI, for he's the only monarch I've found who has annulets. Also, I don't think it's a London mint. The mintmark is a cross. Will post a picture tonight, infant's needs permitting!

I agree, Rob. Are there any Henry VI/Calais coin experts anyone knows of who might be able to ascertain whether this odd inscription has been seen before?

Can't find an example of the reverse online anywhere. Most include two 'x' stops after the S, but mine does not appear to...

Still quite odd to not see it notated anywhere. Wish I could work out what the final quadrant says, too. There appears to be more than just "IS" in there.

I find myself agreeing about that odd inscription. I've trawled through http://www.britnumsoc.org/publications/Digital%20BNJ/pdfs/2004_BNJ_74_7.pdf and nary a mention of CALI IS which is, as you say, what it appears to be. Any suggestions from anyone with more experience than I?

Recently acquired a bunch of pretty grubby hammered coins. A bit of water and tissue paper has removed a fair amount of dirt making them rather more legible, but I was wondering how much further can one go? I've got some coins that are practically illegible due to excessive polishing, so I'm sure there's a fine line between 'not enough cleaning' and 'too much'. What products/techniques would you advise...?

Tried to clear up the photos a bit..

It's clearly an Edward, but other than that I'm a bit stumped...

Thanks for that. Is that not a farthing though...?

I didn't know any had been issued in 1693! The Coins of the UK site lists only 1694 for the W&M copper halfpenny...

You'll be pleased to know that this coin is, thus far, the most 'ill' coin in my collection. And I'm not using that word in the youth patois sense. I hadn't assumed it was the 1694 type as there appears to be no evidence at all that there's even been a date on the back, yet Britannia herself is only about as corroded as the obverse. I suppose William's hair-do gives it away, though. Thanks for the clarification, anyway!

As a beginner to this sort of thing, I *think* I've managed to positively identify the coin below as: Edward III 'London Mint' Long Cross Penny Pre Treaty Issue, Series D; 1351-1361 AD. Obverse: facing bust with legend ED[WARD]US REX ANGLI Mintmark: Cross Pommee Reverse: CIVIT[AS] L[O]NDON Only thing I'm uncertain about is the mintmark. Am I right in assuming a cross pommee...?

Ah, there we go. This is a direct link to the ebay auction I won it from This probably needs a new thread, but it's so ugly I didn't want to offend anyone!

Oh yeah, and another coin I picked up a few weeks back is a William & Mary halfpenny. Now, although it's very corroded (thus presumably a tin one), it doesn't appear to have a 'plug' in the centre of it (thus a copper one?) It also lacks a date (tin), yet William's hair ribbons are pointing downwards, rather than at a right angle (copper!) I'll get 'round to taking a photo at some point, but I'm still stumped as to a) which one it is and whether it's going to be cleanable or not! If it *is* tin, might acetone finish it off...?

I'll post some pictures if I need any help identifying. They currently appear to consist of a glut of Edwards, with one potential Richard amongst them. Mainly pennies, but a few half pennies. Still, that's eight of them for £16, which can't be bad!

Cheers! Would it be safe to leave coins inserted in acetone for any length of time? I'm talking mainly of hammered silvers here...

But if you got something that was other than the advertised picture, is there not some sort of complaints/refunding procedure to be gone through...?

http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/491897 Looks likely to be the same make to me...

...anyone up for a challenge? Picked this up for a pittance a couple of weeks ago, but regardless of the amount of effort I put in, the only vaguely interesting remaining bit of detail are the two small "x" marks under the King's right shoulder. My main problem is that I can't decide what these marks might be called, or it might make googling it rather easier! As it is however, I'm stumped. Does it look like a coin in anyone's collection? I'd love to know what it is if there is, indeed, any chance of identifying it!

First couple of letters are indeed a bit too far gone to read. The end of the obverse does, however, appear to be "Gl" or "GI". An 'Anglia' reference perhaps? I've seen an inscription like this on a pre-treaty Edward... Also, the letter before the double saltire stop on the obverse does appear to be an 'S' more than a 'D', but I wouldn't like to say for certain!

Cheers for the suggestions, people! Not sure about the reverse ending in 'l' - could just as easily be a 'D'. Also, the obverse may end in 'GI' or 'Gl' which would suggest pre-treaty Ed3, but I don't think the portrait's right. Hmm...

Thanks for that Peckris. I was a little hurt, I must admit! Tangentially, I'm currently in the last days of actually selling my first coin on ebay which is quite exciting. Thinking about it makes me a smile a little as the condition, in some ways, is much below that of the Richard II. I think Peter might be apoplectic at said listing! Now thinking of ways to ingratiate myself with this forum with tales of my three month old daughter...

Peter, I suppose we must both want different things as I do get that warm glow from my Richard II coin. My main aim is to get the best collection I can without spending any unfeasible money, so I'm trying to keep my acquisitions to c£5. I don't think I'd feel much different having a sparkly, un-ragged Richard II halfpenny than I would from having this one as it's more about thinking about the time period that they're from, the mad monarchs whose busts are on them and, with certain coins, being able to pinpoint the year they were made, which can often coinicide with major events in my ancient family history. It's just another nice connection to have!