jelida

Yawn......Lukasz.......NO ITS NOT!!! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Victoria-Penny-1860-MULE-TB-BB-Grade-UNC-Extremely-RARE/232908007242?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 Though it does look like a reasonable F15. Jerry

Perhaps the intended use of the die at the time of its design and manufacture is what is relevant here, it was not designed to be used with the earlier reverse die, though it was, and presumably intentionally, in the penny in question. That does raise the question, which can never be answered I suspect, of how many of our 1860 and 1861 pennies are in fact mules, to go with the 1862 obv 2 and 3 coins which clearly are ‘intentional mules’? Better not get into semantics or we may all end up asses. Jerry

I rather like this theory, it does have an air of practicality about it, and would as you say suggest that the term ‘mule’ is appropriate for the 1926 ME. Have you had correspondence with the RM museum for their view? I wonder if the appropriate annual report might also give some clues. Jerry

Oswald has been around for a long time on this forum, so I presume this is a serious enquiry. But I have no knowledge of this site, maybe somebody else might . Jerry

The first thing is how do you know it’s copper? Coins that have been in the ground often have a coppery sheen, the tone of yours does look a bit uneven. A very accurate weight measurement with a jewellers scales might help. The Royal Mint or internet could tell you what it should weigh . Don’t expect to get rich on this coin though even if a genuine mint error. EBay is usually the easiest place to sell this sort of thing . Jerry

You’re looking at the picture in Gouby, Pete? I see what you mean, but I think the resolution is not great enough to come to a real conclusion, I presume someone has closely examined the original coin and been happy. Jerry

We renovated an early Victorian villa some years ago, and when a proportion of the boards were lifted for woodworm prevention spraying I found 36 coins, ranging from farthings to a halfcrown, sadly nothing comparable in rarity. Old houses must be a significant reservoir of out-dated coinage. Jerry

Thanks Rob. The corrosion does detract a bit, but could be improved, and I would still rate the coin at £1500 to £2000, perhaps even a little more at auction, I was the underbidder on one about the same condition but with fewer problems at about £2200 last year. When you say you ‘found’ the two pennies, do you mean under the floorboards or something? A good find either way. If you do intend to sell it, you could join the forum so you can receive pm’s! Jerry

If that was the EBay one, it is tenuous in the extreme due to wear and from a vendor who frequently sells spurious ‘varieties’, though he has had some superb pennies too over the last year. Jerry

And the 2 over 1, and the obverse 3 pairing. I agree that at the current rate of 2 or 3 publicised discoveries a year, the total VIGTORIA could well end up in the teens or low 20’s. I suspect more are found than shown on this forum. And I am still getting used to the ‘reactions’, seem to keep choosing the wrong one and having to correct the error. Sorry Mike. Jerry

I think we would need a pic of the reverse to make a reasoned judgement. I am sure several of us would be interested. Jerry

I agree, and the marks below the date do suggest that the H was once there, or is very weakly struck. I suspect it would be clearer in the hand. Jerry

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1965-Proof-One-Penny-Coin/183360308485?hash=item2ab1204505:g:AjQAAOSwMMFbZW~m Quite easy to make a proof with a bit of brasso it seems. And R20, so it’s the only one! Jerry

A couple of things strike me, the most significant being the strip of wood across the front of the trays, similar to Swann. Also Nichols tend towards piano type hinges these days. But of course they could be manufacturing to a specific design. And Taikonaut may be referring to something else. Jerry

Possible, yes, but I think it is probably a die crack, the bar of the ‘inverted A’ seems to be a bit higher than on the actual ‘A’ s on this coin. As regards the Davissons coin, I think the grade is right but as you suggest a slightly worn die. Jerry

There is one in the Davissons auction, and plenty of time to ponder. Some adjustment marks, but nice tone and the estimate is fair. https://davcoin.com/lot/e-auction-26-lot-89 Jerry

It’s actually Larry who can see these images in the marks on a coin, not me. I remain dubious in the extreme, both in the (unrecorded) technology necessary and from my viewpoint total lack of evidence that can be interpreted by others in the way Larry interprets it. Larry however has extreme conviction in his theory and I remain interested in where it eventually leads him. Jerry

Will happily have a scout around at the fair in two weeks, and pass on details of any suitable vendors .Wouldn't want a fee. Jerry

Stunning coin. Sorry for my confusion over the new ‘like’ system, got there in the end. Jerry

It is a very pretty coin, and the die crack and fill have little impact, but I would be reluctant to pay over book price for a coin that can be found in this sort of condition without much difficulty. Spink gives this at £150 in EF, I would have thought a reasonable maximum offer should be around £200, with patience you will find the right coin at the right price. Some of us go to the coin fairs here in the UK, one of our members has a stall there, maybe he would accept a commission? Jerry

Retired Doctor. Jerry

He’ll be bragging on about his EBay bargain for years. He presumably thinks it’s as advertised, why else bid twice! But as you say Pete no great loss. Jerry

This is rather a nice way to collect as a series a great variety of rather pretty coins. I suppose you could do something similar with earlier English coins in that a number of continental coins did circulate freely at various times alongside our currency, I have metal detected examples from the low countries, Spain, France and of course Venetian Galley halfpennies, as well as Irish and Scottish. However I don't know of a comprehensive list, or equivalent values unless they circulated purely on the basis of fineness and weight. Jerry

It was a difficult one for me, a better example than mine but not a sufficient advance that I wished to put in a serious bid at this time, especially from this seller. But I think the overall price was not unreasonable, and apart from the recent DNW sale I see no evidence of a reduction in the penny market. Since my move I am also collecting pennies of my local town, which as they are mostly Anglo Saxon or Norman has imposed additional financial pressures and selectivity. Jerry

I love the idea, though pugilism especially regards politics can lead to ongoing animosity. There have to be rules. My best mate and I have the 9 o’clock rule, on our weekly curry nights with our wives. The men (occasionally sons are present) adjourn to the pub at 7.30. By 9, when the women collect us (this may include daughters) the men are well oiled, and a couple of bottles of wine over curry doesn’t help. Things can get very heated, especially regarding politics. The 9 o’clock rule acknowledges that nothing stated or done after that time is actually worth a damn, and need not be apologised for later. Indeed it is a poor show to even refer back to the previous night. But angry debate is one of life’s great pleasures. So what are the rules here? It worries me a bit that once committed to record, an injudicious comment can be revisited and allowed to fester. Do we have any suggestions for a ‘9 o’clock rule’ equivalent? Jerry