jelida

I would not have thought it a year ago, but I am also starting to look at date widths! My obsessive tendencies coming through I suppose. I would have thought the simplest would be to state date width after the appropriate Freeman number, eg for a hypothetical and very rare 1862, F39 A 13 tooth. This would ensure rapid allocation of the coin as you say. Jerry

I would say that if developing the Freeman system then most error coins should have a precursor die which does have a Freeman number, and a suitable alphabetical suffix can be attached. Thus the VIGTORIA 1862 would be Freeman 38 B or C or D etc depending of the order of publication of other sub-varieties worthy of listing. This principle has already been used by Freeman in his later editions. Jerry

This coin has appeared periodically on Ebay for at least a couple of years, there have been much better photos in the past and the 1 and 5 appear very weakly struck. It was relisted several times at diminishing prices and finally sold to the current vendor for a couple of hundred or therabouts. He has subsequently listed it as if flawless, but then pricing and photos never were his strong points. It is a shame as the coin is otherwise genuinely nice, and high grade. Jerry

It is a forgery, see the 'check your change' site, they have been reported with missing 'two pounds' lettering. It also doesnt have the edge motto. It would be illegal to spend it, as Azda says. Jerry

I wonder if some-one has been playing with this coin post mint. By the look of the marks to the left of Britannia's plume crest the 'Two Pounds' lettering has been ground off. And I would be surprised if the centre had been loose as it left the mint after striking, though I have heard of the centres rotating. I dont think it has any value above face, ie £2. Jerry

That sounds a good idea, I would like a scan too if possible. Jerry

Does look like it to me?.

Thanks Terry, that does make sense. So a hypothetical 1914 example (as per Bob, above) would have perfect teeth. I believe all 1916 recessed ear have the broken tooth, so the liklihood is that only one obverse die was prepared. Jerry

I must admit that I wouldn't have dreamt of buying one in only Fine to VF as they are not that scarce in low grade. But with a much smaller pool of high grade coins available, I was pleased to find one at a good price. The 'recess' is quite easy to spot in the hand, much less so from a photo, buts that's where the broken tooth helps. Definitely one for the series completist. Is there really a 1914 recessed ear? If so, does it have the broken tooth or not? Jerry

I was pleased to get this in the post today, courtesy of Ebay and some rather blurry images. My suspicion is confirmed, a nice 1915 recessed ear penny, overall toned lustre. I have been looking for a while. Jerry

Thats really nice work, Terry!

And so you should be. It looks a nice coin to me, and I don't see it giving CGS any problems from the photos. Do let us know the outcome. Jerry

Excellent, Mick, I cant see any problem with that. Just take a cocktail stick to the very top of the second eight now........ What did you use? Jerry

And as to whether Micks coin would slab, it depends whether any mark is left. I wouldn't be surprised if what we see there dissolved in petrol, DMSO or some other organic solvent. If so it would leave no mark. But if true verd, a mark would be left because of the loss of metal. Could only get an idea on the bench under the 'scope. Jerry

Hi Pete, the Copthorne F41 came up quite well, at least the verd is gone, but not of course the loss of metal and I wouldn't dream of slabbing it. I wish I'd taken 'before and afters' of other coins, but its usually just a tiny spot, I would never normally buy as corroded a coin as the F41. Jerry

I think will improve a lot. Looks very removable from the photos. Doesnt look like established verd. But can only be sure under the microscope. Jerry

Are you sure that it wont lift off with a cocktail stick? Not all that's green is verdigris, a lot is that waxy stuff that comes off quite easily (try a drop of petrol, it wont mark the coin) leaving the metal surface undamaged. If it is true verdigris, then appropriate spot treatment with a drop of verdicare can certainly do the job, but as I have stressed before I find really strong magnification and careful 'picking' of the verd after a soak is what really makes the difference. I always do remove verdigris where possible (if I feel I have to buy an example despite it, or more likely if I find a tiny spot I had not previously noticed on the coin) as effectively it is 'bronze disease' and is likely to deteriorate with loss of metal over time. If any member does trust me to look at a coin FOC, I would happily do so. I do have the kit, and the microscopes. I have certainly been pleased with the results on my own coins. You can always pm me. Jerry

Have a great time over the holiday period every-one, may your wishes be fulfilled. Jerry

Excellent idea Dave, well here's a 'where you live' , or rather where I will be living come the Spring, the ancient farmhouse we have just bought in South Herefordshire, a few miles from Abergavenny and Hay on Wye. Lots of work to do, but in a gorgeous isolated setting (apart from the church and country pub 400 yards away!) Has had something of an adverse effect on penny funds though Blue sky in mid October.

Well done Terry, I dont have one either; was it already recognised, or a brilliant bargain? Jerry

Looks like a standard 1862 halfpenny to me, and not collectible in this condition. Are you querying a variety such as die letter to left of lighthouse? I'm not convinced. I think you gave the id in the title of the post. Jerry

It is expensive, and I find it very helpful, but not all do; the repeated 'picking' at the surface of the verd is an essential part of the process, as per the instructions, as is time. Do get a good magnifier so that you can be very precise. Jerry

The Welsh one was found a couple of days ago. Jerry

Very nice Mike!

Shelly has featured before in these pages, and has been trying to sell these at more than ten times value for months. There is an F6, but there are no other beaded border coins despite the claims, and no rarities. Shelly also often polishes the coins, and over-grades in home slabs. He/she can also be quite abusive for no obvious reason, I have a sequence of increasingly bizzaire emails to which I did not respond following a request for a price on a coin in another of the strange multi-coin ads sometimes posted. I would not buy from this seller. Jerry