jelida

I agree, I use it all the time, with searches that send me an email if matches occur. Jerry

All three coins require basic conservation to optimise their potential, but all are nice detector finds. Individually, a dedicated numismatic auctioneer is unlikely to take them on. The tealby has an exceptional portrait, but is marred by the edge chip though it remains the most desirable. Dobunnic units in uncleaned condition may struggle to hit £50, I would see if it can be improved - most detecting clubs have someone who could advise, the aluminium foil/ alkali method often works well. If I had to sell, I would offer these for via Ebay or Facebook, set a reserve or price if you wish and see what happens. But as a long-standing detectorist myself I would say keep them, and find the upgrade money elsewhere - you will always regret selling your best finds. Jerry

Best place? A coin fair every time, followed by a recognised dealer or auction house. EBay and Facebook are widely used but fraught with risk for a beginner, especially the latter due to the sheer number of fakes and misrepresentation. As you learn more about the subject you may be inclined to take greater risks on EBay - bargains can be had - but in general Caveat Emptor applies. Purchases via this forum are pretty safe if via a long-standing member, but only rarely offered. Jerry PS and welcome to the forum, sound advice (usually) freely offered here.

Thanks for posting this both. It was always too good to be true when the sellers fees disappeared, now the buyer takes the hit! I suppose poor Ebay has to make its billions somehow, after all they have to keep employing all those accountants/politicians to avoid paying tax! Jerry

Here are a couple of group pics of the British coins, I bought 36 on a little felt lined box, I think I have posted one of each type. I also bought a mixed lot in lesser condition including quite a lot of German coin types. Jerrj

Thanks Kai, I’ll get some photos over the next couple of days. Jerry

What is the best reference for these tiny coins? I couldn’t resist buying a bag of them at the MCF today and I would like to be able to read up on them in addition to the excellent info here. Is Rogers ‘Toy Coins’ still the one to buy? If so, if anyone can point me in the right direction please do so, internet searches have drawn a blank. thanks, Jerry

I’m not sure that the answer is straightforward. Although this variety is listed in the appendix of the most recent Freeman, it (in common with other new discoveries) has not been allocated a Freeman number. In reality, the variety is no more an F38 than an F39 as in both cases the obverses are different and so it is not a sub-variety of either. All I can do is tell you what I do in these circumstances, pending a complete revision of Freeman. I catalogue my pennies by date primarily, Freeman number secondarily (occasionally Gouby No where he recognises the type) and in the absence of any published varietal identifier I write something like ‘not in Freeman’ and a summary of what makes it different eg ‘Freeman 3+G’ or ‘14 teeth’ or whatever. That has the advantage that it is universally applicable, anybody reading my tickets knows what he is dealing with. Jerry

Thanks for coming to my defence, Blakeyboy, but I take no offence from PT/KB’s comment, I have absolutely no idea who Norris Cole is but also I have a 4yr old grandson so I am quite used to name calling.’ Stinky Grandon ‘ is his current epithet I believe, bless his little heart! Jerry

Excellent idea! Penny Trump? Jerry

Snap!

Top 1873, bottom 1886. Jerry

The comprehensive appendices that Richard added to the last Freeman (authorised) reprint did incorporate the significant varieties-new dies, overstrikes etc - recorded until then, but did not deal with variations in date width, slapdash but otherwise correct letter repairs etc that Gouby does address. It was well produced and at a very reasonable price and quickly sold out. Gouby did of course update his text also comparatively recently and still offers occasional update pages eg for the (F15) R over A in Victoria, Medusa 1847 numbers . Really only Richards online ‘Pennies heads n tails’ is really up to date, including the new 1887 to 92 obverse. Any printed publication will age - though a ‘print to order’ version of Richards site would be wonderful! Jerry

Absolutely true, a study based solely on the pennies surviving now would be quite different in its balance between common and rare. Use of rarity values is at its best unreliable, and we must all understand that. Jerry

Except in the case of Freeman of course, who actually studied a massive random sample from circulation ; while not perfect, his estimations of comparative rarity are as accurate as will ever be achieved for the bronze coinage. In terms of actual numbers of exceptionally rare coin varieties that were barely or not represented in Freeman’s sample, there will always be an element of flux as demonstrated by RS’s excellent ‘Rarest Pennies’ register. A ‘unique’ ‘slender 3’ 1863 penny becomes three known for instance, and more will be found. And in the end, it is market availability and demand that determine the price. In general I can see where you are coming from. One has to hope that those declaring, and particularly publishing, rarity values make every effort to ensure reasonable accuracy. You will not find a ‘rarity’ value on any of my coin tickets, for good reason. Jerry