secret santa

Yes, clearly A+c - the long stem on the shamrock is clear and definitely reverse c from the shield/cross details. Satin 2 - Very rare die pairing ! This will be only the 3rd example on my rarest website.

Ian, you should now be able to view www.englishpennies.wordpress.com.

A username of "iannich48" has requested access to my personal collection website but I don't who this is. If you make yourself known to me I will almost certainly grant access.

I'm not sure one can be definite about anything on very worn specimens like this. And, of course, if you can't actually photograph the evidence, in theory you can't actually record it.

I've seen quite a few collections sold over the last 12 years, including some major collections of the more obscure Freeman and Gouby varieties and it does feel to me that there aren't that many (if any) new variety collectors with money to spend. My theory in general is that we Baby Boomers are the last generation with disposable income together with the nostalgia for the pre-decimal age, in coins, music, stamps, cars etc etc. When we all pass away I wonder whether the next generation will be interested in the things that we hold precious - all collections may slowly fade away to nothing in value. It's interesting to watch the various antiquey programs and see how items come in and out of fashion, e.g. brown furniture (which I still adore). I'm not sure if they actually ever come back. As for pennies, it does seem that the proof coins more than hold their value. The 1839 proof penny is not all that rare but continues to rise in prices realised at auction. I suspect that obscure varieties may not be a great investment prospect. Maybe varieties of mobile phones are the next collectable ?

My question actually did bring one or two serious responses........................ I suppose I should be grateful for small mercies.

Uncirculated ? I very much doubt it !!!!!!

Which variety is this one ?

A wordpress user called "richf03" has requested access to my penny collection website - but I don't know who this is ! If you identify yourself, I'll almost certainly grant access.

You're in !

In my opinion, storage in a Whitman folder isn't going to leave any wear marks on a bronze coin.

I pretty much agree with this but would include "mule" coins where a coin is struck with an unusual die pairing, either planned or by accident.

I have tried in vain to get refunds of import duty where it has been charged at 20%. The process is inoperable.

http://www.coincabinets.com/

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Victoria-bun-Head-1889-Penny-aEF/263708188996?hash=item3d663ba144:g:o7gAAOSwa3BaFy6k Grading a little optimistic ? Unless EF means Extremely Filthy ?

Check out the F15 for a central fishtail - there are some interesting varieties in that subgroup.

This is a promising start. Coins are little works of art and, if you find a particular denomination attractive or impressive, you will derive great pleasure in finding out more about it/them. Read about them as people have said, and the fascination will develop. I think you will get greater pleasure from collecting rather than investing and people's love for their particular subject just sings out from contributions on this forum. Half crowns have some of the most beautiful artistic designs seen on British coins.

Thanks for that info, Mike. I believe that he had some really nice coins - the anticipation is killing me !

F27 would be a hell of a find - think you meant to type F22.

The term "cameo" gets bandied around quite a lot without, as far as I know, an unambiguous description. It is certainly dangerous to draw conclusions from photographs as to whether a coin is cameo or not. It appears to me that the method of photography and lighting etc can make huge differences to the appearance of a coin. For example, I own 2 1948 proof pennies and the photographs that I took with my digital SLR, macro lens and built-in flash make them look like cameos and yet when I hold them in hand they are clearly not. Terry Eagleton sent me a 1953 proof penny which looks like a cameo in hand but my photographs of it do not ! I'm assuming that a true cameo appears to have a darkish background with a lighter "frosted" raised image ? My photo on left This the original Heritage photo which is more as it appears in hand. The basic message, as always, is to be wary of photographs and judge it in your hand wherever possible !

That works - but I can't bring the photographs up on any particular lot ????????????????????

Did you find it ? My attempts to search their archive fail dismally.

Just about all the die 4s that I've seen have been very well worn. I've never seen one better than AF as I recall. You could wait for ever for a nice one.

Try my varieties website - the pictures are much bigger than Freeman's book (unless you're looking them on a mobile phone in which case Gawd help you)

It appears that the 1901 has the last 1 over a gap because the 1 is tilted slightly. Have you by any chance checked with Michael Gouby that the one he talks about in his book was also tilted ?