secret santa

Although I loved the complexities of grammar and punctuation while at school, and still do so, I fear that all our pedantry will soon count for nothing. The BBC who used to be "the" example of spoken English now litters its programmes and announcements with use of the glottal stop wherever possible and uses a pseudo-patois in order to relate to ordinary people. Among its leading stars are people like Jay Blades, seemingly a thoroughly decent chap, but one who crucifies the English language at every opportunity. The English language is being eroded before our very eyes and ears.

I recently bought the 2021 Uncirculated set from Westminster Mint because it contains the Decimalisation 50p with original 1969 obverse and then received a letter saying that I should return it as there is an error and they would send a replacement. I asked for more details but they would only say that: "The Royal Mint have alerted us to a minor printing/spelling mistake on the packaging of these BU Packs." I have looked for this mistake but can't find it so I'm inclined to keep the set in case there's a more important mistake that might prove to be a rarity in the future. Has anyone else heard anything about this "error" ?

The penny is now withdrawn so either an honest person has pointed out its true identity or an unscrupulous person has tempted the unknowing buyer into a bad deal.

Great work !

I think you must be mistaken Martin, I've never had any privileged access rights.

Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes. (my Latin "O" level).

Count me in - 1 2 3 o'clock 4 o'clock rock.

I can't wait................... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DETAILS-TO-FOLLOW-GREAT-BRITAIN-UK/363301610497?hash=item549676a401:g:GcgAAOSw8-VgM~XT

I see that DNW have a 1953 VIP proof set in their next auction and yet the penny in the set is a standard proof die pairing (C+b) whereas the 3 previous VIP sets that I've seen had a penny with die-pairing of B+a (currency obv and toothed rev). Have DNW mis-catalogued a normal proof set or was the VIP set produced with differing contents ?

All pictured on my varieties site.

If we use it often enough it will become accepted. Remember how the word "quiz" was born !

They've now removed it after I contacted them. They said that Ebay led them down the route of describing it as F8B which I can believe given the way that it can steer advertisers who are not familiar with what they're selling, to something similar.

Good enough for me...................

Totally agree - I just need to know when I'm going to go. I'll add that to the stupid questions asked at Corona Virus briefings.

I'll add it to my rare penny website tomorrow.

I'd appreciate photos of any 1961-65 pennies with missing waves.

Those sales were scandalous (for Hiram's family) but great for collectors. Individual items like this one were recognised by collectors and realised their true value but the bundles were often under-described and achieved less than their value. Hiram's lack of cataloguing contributed to this but make sure your inheritees don't get ripped off. Catalogue your coins !!!

Yes, he is. You'll have to work it out - a bit like The Masked Singer.

I started to build a record of rare/scarce penny sales around 2000 and although I no longer record low grade F14's, I've just checked and I have logged 23 examples since then, only 2 of which were below Fine, and 1 NVF. I wonder whether the new bronze coinage was still enough of a novelty for the newspapers of the time to mention the signature under the foot ? As Jerry says, rather like the Kew gardens 50p.

September 2016 - looks like the same picture. With a halfpenny, sold for £240 + commission. Seems pricey to me. Looks like it's with the same halfpenny again ? Pete, do you not collect any more ?

Always open to (polite) suggestions.........

I have just worked through my penny websites adding a "return to top of page" function at the bottom of every page to save users scrolling all the way back to the top to get to the menu. Hopefully it will be useful.

There's wear on the queen's hair on the obverse, too.

Lot 1152 - slabbed as LCGS 78 - Uncirculated or Mint State 63-64. There's months of wear on that. Not even EF.