jelida

Hi Pete, I've just been through my tub of 50 ex circulation 1896 pennies. The numbers are as follows. BP 1896 Aa 45 BP 1986 Ab 4 BP 1896 Ac 1 BP 1896 Ad 0 So this is clearly a rarity on my small sample, well done! Jerry

I watched it too, but came to the same conclusion. But the lower bar does look weak. I have seen 1861 ONF pennies referenced, so maybe as the die wore there are some true examples out there. I am a bit sad that Zencoins has pulled the Ebay item that I and another were bidding on, presumably some-one has made an off Ebay offer. Not F6 as described, but Gouby BP 1860 A. Corrosion, but still a valuable coin, would have liked to compete at the end.☹️ http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272218492683?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Jerry

They do look good. I will try a pack. Thanks, Non. Jerry

No, sadly. I was referring to examples of coins from one or two die pairings, there are many others of course. Jerry

Its one reverse and two different obverses, Bob. Jerry

I am really looking for rimless capsules, I find them more attractive. Airtite and Guardhouse in the USA make lovely capsules, but not in 31mm, and the 30.6mm 'half dollar' capsule does not fit. The Leuchtturm Ultra are nice, but the nearest sise is 32.5mm so rattly. But I know some-one makes them, as I have one that came with a coin! Waiting to try some Schulz caps now. Jerry

In fact I sent pics to Richard earlier this afternoon. I think it is interesting to look at the die totals used and die linkage with these very rare coins, and attempt to relate the results to total known. The relatively common F10 1860 N over N sideways for example seems to be one reverse die paired with two different obverse dies, both with evidence of repair. The new F10 2* obverse seems to occur on two dies, both only found (so far) showing severe cracking. But it looks as though there were a greater number of F reverse dies used over the various obverses, but with poor survival to the present. Careful study might reveal a defecit in survival compared to total dies used. Perhaps indicative of the batch of newly minted coinage exported to some far flung corner of the empire? Or dies only ever treated as a trial, and never used for general production? Jerry

Hi Ian, my F24 is the Elstree specimen which is already on Richards site. I attach a pic of my F32 reverse for info. Jerry

Hi Kumarik, welcome to the forum. Looking at the state of this coin, it probably does just about merit a posting in the 'hammered' category, as you have done?. It is probably a fake, they have been widely forged, often with wrong die pairings and edge legends. The quality can be quite good,and weights normal. The problem is so great in terms of numbers in circulation that the design and shape of the £1 coin has been revised, for release in early 2017. Jerry

IT it is, thanks Prax. Jerry

Not pennies, thankfully. Air miles certainly, in two days he's off to Japan to prepare for his wedding to a Tokyo girl. Then he's living there. His workplace is where his computer is, though the money comes from the USA. Its going to feel strange for us, him being so far away. At least we should get some nice holidays as a result. Jerry

I know nothing of viking coinage, but the rulers name is given as REGNALD CVNVI on this coin, and the reverse may read AVRA MONIT REI'. I cant find an exact parallel in Spink, though the style is certainly like no. 1022. Needs an expert to pronounce on its authenticity. Jerry

This one is simply labeled '1862 penny' though the vendor knew what it was. I can live with that. But if I intended to slab my whole collection (which I don't) I would want them fully identified, hence I suppose the benefit of CGS. I don't know if the UK branch of NGC would be better, is the grading undertaken here?

and close-ups;

more picschoose files... Click to choose files

My son arrived back from the USA today with a couple of my penny purchases in his luggage. The first is a 1864 plain costing £50, which I think represents good value and looks GVF or better to me. The second is a slabbed 1862, 2 over 1. This already features on Richard's rarest pennies site as a past Ebay offering, and was also off the Bay after considerable negotiation over price. Difficult to photo, in the rather scuffed slab. The microscope fares better, and reveals some of that waxy green gunge around the lettering which I would normally remove, but as its in a slab I will simply observe for now. Nice clear overstrike however. Still haven't got round to photographing my LCA purchases, will show some in time. Jerry

Silly price estimate, but as SS says some-one will go for it. I have never liked this portrait as much as the currency one, and it was nice to read the informative explanation of this piece in the Baldwin catalogue. It seems the RM heirarchy didnt like it either! Jerry

I think you are right. This dealer has a lot of these scent bottles for sale, very similar tops. http://www.bryandouglas.co.uk/silverware/scent_bottles/scent_bottles.htm Jerry

I would say die pressed too, and as before the rococco design suggests a late Georgian or Victorian date. A nice find, I presume as it contalned cork remnants, the cap of some sort of stopper, perhaps from a vanity set, eg a scent bottle. Jerry

Yes, looks like F1, double raised lines on the shield.

Bill came and sat with me while I was having a solo coffee at my first ever LCA last winter. He introduced himself and we had a really nice chat about coins in general, and we did touch on CGS, and he encouraged me to use their on-line database as a varietal reference. It has been useful on occasion. He struck me as a thoroughly pleasant man, and though I dont use TPG's I would have no issues on principle with those who do, it is a matter of personal choice, and ties in with issues of coin storage/protection, presentation, certification and confidence (in the coin and its grade). Also affordability, my choice is to buy more coins! Jerry

Perhaps I should re-consider, I'll look at them again, though the dealer isn't there every month. Perhaps he'll do a deal on two! Jerry

Well done. I watched that too, thinking it might be reverse I. But in the end, decided I wasnt sure. My loss, your gain, as it is one I need, the only other 1874 being F77. A guy at the Midland fair had a couple of F77 in fine-ish, correctly id'd at a ton and a half. Too much I think, to fill the gap. Jerry

That is far too expensive, about 1 in 14 1898 pennies in my small census. I have several, though none better than VF, but there will be plenty of high grade ones out there. Maybe a couple of hundred pounds value I would have thought. But I might end up eating my words........ Jerry

Most of the English jettons of this period (or perhaps somewhat later) had a central punch mark or perforation, but could look very similar to Edwardian silver pennies. Post a pic, as suggested.