secret santa

Not directly related, but may be of interest. Last Friday, my doctor told me to get a Covid test. I got online and was able to book a test at our local rugby club, just over 4 miles away. Perfect. It was a drive through test which means everyone there is in full PPE and they don't let you open your car window other than to throw in the test kit. They then give you instructions from behind their shields and through a closed car window. Not surprisingly, I couldn't hear properly and ended up not swabbing my mouth in the right place (I swabbed the inside of my cheeks towards the back as you see people do it on crime thrillers whereas they want you to sway the back of your throat next to your tonsils as I found out when I got home and read the instructions which they did not ask me to read on site). I received a Negative result but was worried that it have compromised by incorrect swabbing so I checked with my GP who told me to get another test. I tried to book another test on Monday and was offered the middle of Oxford. I tried again on Tuesday and was offered the middle of Coventry (67 miles away). Needless to say I have given up and today, after 9 days, my temperature has actually returned to zero. It seems that you are offered a different test site every time you get online - surely this can't be right ? Do these sites exist for 1 day only ? I never had classic Covid symptoms and I'm pretty sure I didn't have Covid but I did have a nasty flu-like bug. I am loathe to criticise the NHS but this testing regime is bizarre.

I've now added coin but need your surname, to credit you properly, Mick.

I do not intend to add Mick's coin to the population of F28s on my website without a better photograph.

Sorry, I meant 1860JB. I'm not at my best at the moment - I had to go for a Covid19 test today after 4 days of fever.

So annoying that neither Michael or I noticed that he'd included the wrong "zoom" of BP1890JB - I was so intent on checking the text throughout that an incorrect photo slipped the net ! It's so blindingly obvious once pointed out.

It's back on Ebay now - https://www.ebay.fr/itm/ONE-PENNY-1862-Victoria-Grosbritannien-s-sehr-Selten-Pragefehler/284019025242?hash=item4220da655a:g:G4IAAOSwvgdfRiQZ Only the 7th known, so a reasonable purchase.

I think a website is the only viable option - a book is potentially out of date the day after it goes to the publisher whereas a website can be totally dynamic, updateable in an instant. I tinker with my penny websites on an almost daily basis, changing or adding things as knowledge gets added to from fellow collectors. The drawback, as has been pointed out, is that a website can vanish overnight or, even if the owner becomes unable to update it and leaves it untouched, it will be no more out of date than a book. Perhaps the answer is a shared ownership. For example, I have given Jerry the necessary information to take on my own websites in the event of some personal catastrophe.

Camera every time. I originally scanned my coins but even at "high" resolution they are much smaller in volume (bytes) and very limited in expandability. The photos from camera and macro lens are infinitely better. No contest.

Thanks Ian, that's exactly the sort of information I was looking for. I will take the page off the menu so that it doesn't show whilst continuing to build up a library of examples on the hidden page.

I sold my only one not realising it was one !

Small unaltered date please. It may turn our that 8 over 6 is also rare but I'll get around to that later.

Having put the 1858 Large Rose Small Date up on my rare penny site, I then checked on the frequency of normal small date 1858 pennies and they seem equally as rare at first glance. London Coins has 9 large date types mis-attributed to small dates, with only 2 genuine (non-large rose) specimens in their archives. I have now added this type to the website and would be pleased to hear of more examples (with pictures please).

There are always plenty in coin auctions although it's often not clear what size coins the trays are drilled for.

As originally posted to kick off this theme, my 1862 over 1 was sent on 3rd August 2020 to Scotland but never arrived. Tracking shows it still in the system but who knows where.

Does anyone know the website of this auction house ? There appears to be several auctioneers with similar names.

Yes, good idea - get it started, Jerry, and I'll add details of my lost penny.

I have received a cheque from Royal Mail covering the item and postage so I'm compensated although I've lost a potential source of investment growth and the buyer might still obtain a rare coin at zero cost if it turns up.

Does anyone know if this "much smaller figures" is different from the regular small date type ?

Message/Email me if you have any questions.

Try Adobe Photoshop Express - it's free. I use it for everything

One of my favourites - had the chance to see him in Oxford a couple of years ago (aged 80-ish I believe). I'll always regret not getting tickets.

I'm currently going through the claims process with the Royal Mail. An ex-police friend of mine reckons it was a common occurrence in his day (special deliveries going missing).

Thanks John - do you still have pictures ?

Looking through auction archives, the genuine 1854 over 3 does seem to be a rare coin and, as such, I'm going to add it to my rare penny site. I'd be grateful for any photos from members please.

Mine's the same as John's.