secret santa

The original fake copper pennies were easy to spot with their shiny surfaces but it appears they're being produced with a more "lifelike" finish which is harder to spot. The coin below has already attracted several bids (although the starting price should be a clue) but is a modern copy. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1843-Large-Penny-Queen-Victoria-UNC/174046700799?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160811114145%26meid%3De054dda566274366a6b0092fb5fbe2f0%26pid%3D100667%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D174046700799%26itm%3D174046700799%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2045573&_trksid=p2045573.c100667.m2042 If in doubt - count the teeth - 175 on the genuine obverse, 180 on the fake.

I've just had an private exchange with CoinageBritannia who has agreed that suggestions for improvement should be sent to Spink because they are preparing improvements to the system. I won't quote the email addresses I was given in case they don't want to be deluged with comments but perhaps they will formally invite constructive suggestions.

My experience: Coins I've won from Davissons come packaged with no valuation on the label and so far have attracted no customs duty. Fedex always charge 20% and getting it reduced to 5% has only proved successful once for me. UPS always send you a form on which you can declare it as numismatic items and get the correct 5% charge.

Suddenly the link just worked for me - but the archive search is a dead loss.

This link doesn't seem to work on my desktop PC and the Spink website is the worst in the world at finding past lots in the archive - just doesn't work.

I see that Spink have formally separated the predecimal and decimal books and are now charging for both, thereby increasing the total price from £30 to £39.99. OK for the decimal-only boys but a cheeky move for the rest of us.

Well done Eric - I was hoping to get that coin myself, but the F112 wiped me out !

Who said "nothing's impossible" ?

Difficult to disappear for several hours clutching magnifying glass and chequebook without arousing suspicion............. In fact, difficult to do anything without arousing suspicion.

Yes, I hadn't bought much this year and when I saw that penny, I made up my mind to go for it as it's just about the last variety that I really wanted a nice specimen of. I shall forever dream of owning an Edward VIII penny but that's a good few steps too far !

I have to own up to buying the F112 at LCA a few days ago. The new bathroom has been put on ice and the atmosphere at home is a touch frosty. Your sympathy would be appreciated.

Done, Thanks Jerry.

Yes.

Hi Adam You might be interested in my 2 websites (see below) as I'm a fellow penny collector. I'll have a look through my spares. Cheers Richard

Wait till you get it in hand Gary. My 1860 has a very clear crossbar that doesn't show in photographs but in hand looks as though an inverted V has been struck over the A.

It's a normal 3 with some grot by the tail.

Don't blame him - parliament/speaker will never allow us to leave.

So would I - I dropped the phrase "Equity Release" into conversation with my wife and she retaliated with the phrase "earthly existence release"............

Doesn't seem to exist on modern car radios.

They're only a 40 minutes drive for me which is quite convenient and I can get a good look at the coins.

Some mouth-watering coins in there.

Actually, Blake, I think you were the 3rd bidder. He started with a bid of £800 which I think was yours (postal) and then someone in the room put their hand up to take it to £850 and then a telephone bidder won it with £900. I don't know what your top bid was, but if it was £850, auctions do tend to take a room bid over an equal absentee bid.

I attended the auction and never cease to be confused during the bidding. The auctioneer announces every lot in almost the same way, i.e. "Lot XXXX, YYY pounds is bid". He then looks round the room and, if no-one else bids, he brings the hammer down (by clicking his pen against a glass) and moves on. There is no way of telling whether the coin has sold because he NEVER says anything like "we'll have to pass on that one " or "Not sold". The only way of telling is to wait until the website is updated. For example, I was convinced that the 1863 die2 had sold for £2200 hammer but now I find it was unsold. Occasionally he might say "there are conflicting bids of blah blah" in which case we know that there have been bids. He gives the impression that bids have been received on every single lot which I find it hard to believe. I assume he announces a fictitious bid around the reserve, hoping that it will attract a bid over the reserve ? Is this standard practice ?

Blake Bidding opened at £800, room bidder bid £850 but telephone bidder got it for £900. Richard

They're great pics Pete - why not build yourself a website for us all to view ?