secret santa

I still have some difficulty distinguishing between 1858 large and small date pennies. Even all the examples on Michael's Gouby website ( http://www.michael-coins.co.uk/cp_1858.htm) don't make it absolutely clear. He only mentions the small date once as CP1858E and gives no guidance other than Smaller numerals '5 & 8's'. It appears from his pictures that the key distinguishing feature of the smaller date seems to be that the bottom of the 5 is left of the larger bead on the smaller date (see picture from his website below) but pretty much directly over the larger bead on the larger date. The actual date numerals themselves seem to me to vary in size and distance apart throughout the range of varieties. However, I have also seen what appear to be small date specimens with the 5 over the left side of the large bead - see below. Can anyone offer me a foolproof way of distinguishing between the large and small date ? Also, I have previously assumed that all 1858 overdates are the large date variety, but is this true ? My 1858 over 6 looks like a small date to me.

I received an interesting email from Baldwin St James today announcing that Sixbid has been hacked and fake invoices created for Baldwin's last sale: Unfortunately, the online auction platform Sixbid was hacked and those responsible have been able to create FAKE, and convincing, invoices in relation to our last auction. They have googled our uk companies house number and have thus created these fraudulent invoices. We want you to be able to spot a fraudulent invoice, should you receive one. They then listed some things to look out for. I could post this information if people want more details.

I think it might actually be their attempt at a round top lighthouse (rev f) ?

I have now mentioned the possibility on my varieties website.

He also describes it further down as an Edward VII 1902 penny - keeping his options open !

Flattery will get you everywhere !!!!!!!!!!

In the paperback reprint of Freeman's book in 2016 I made some suggested Freeman classifications (such as Obverse 2* for the 145 tooth obverse that you found and 4* for Gouby's obverse G) but, unless a revised version of Freeman is agreed and published, they can only ever be suggestions with no formal authority. With Michael Freeman no longer interested in the subject, I guess we are left with Michael Gouby who, at least, is open to recording new varieties and types with their associated Gouby identifier.

You can see why Freeman didn't differentiate between the 2 !

Yes, and the top of her dress is complete on ja but just fades away on j.

They are both reverse ja - in my opinion, the long/short hair is a red herring and just happened to be shorter on the specimen that Michael Gouby pictures in his book. On good specimens, the hair is only slightly shorter. For me the key differentiators are the size of the dome of the helmet (larger on ja) and the lower rear of the helmet (convex with a rim on ja). rev j on left; rev ja on right

Yes, my 1839 prof cost £250 in 2001 and my 1853 copper proof cost £300 on 2000. Since then they've gone through the roof.

A rare chance to get a beautiful proof 1863 penny for £1 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Victoria-1-Penny-1863-Proof-AEF/333185317437?hash=item4d93647a3d:g:PEoAAOSwrZFc0F9P

Still, a beautiful coin that I was outbid on.

The other Heritage photos were more impressive:

Thanks Bob, you're a star !!!!!!!

Can anyone remember who put this up on the forum a while ago ? I'd like a picture of the obverse to include on my rare pennies site. Richard

Yes, the last penny I bought from Stacks Bowers came via UPS without any problem.

I refused to pay the last Fedex bill @ 20% and they raised a query and eventually reduced their invoice some 3 months later although I received several very threatening letters from their debt collection agents despite assurances that I didn't need to worry - it wasn't a pleasant experience.

They've been doing this for ages. The 2019 set of 50p's is only £19.95 with Westminster compared with £45 from the Mint !

This has become the thread that I turn to first every day and I'd be sad to see the end of it (unless Theresa gets a one years extension) so can't we just respect our differences ? After all, it's only mirroring the country.

If anything, they (and I) were putting more of their faith in the Westminster elite rather than the European bureaucrats. How stupid is that ?

Obverse A Obverse B A & B much closer together on obverse B

rarer than the chances of parliament regaining the trust of the people................................

And pigs may fly............................ And I may find a BU F90 penny.........................