jelida

Just spent half an hour sorting my tub of ex circulation 1899 pennies. The result is as follows. BP1899Aa. 8 BP1899Ab. 30 BP1899 Ac. 5 7 coins unidentifiable. The first two figures are somewhat at odds with Michael Gouby's estimation, but does demonstrate the relative scarcity of the widest date. Jerry

? Beggars cant be choosers, not many of them about!

OK so they're not special, but here are my offerings from the Midland Coin Fair, an F77 and 1899 wide date. The former will fill a gap for the time being. Jerry

No. The first is a late 3rd century radiate, there should be enough letters to pin it down, maybe Postumus, Tetricus, Claudius Gothicus, that sort of era. There is little more one can say about the second than mid to late 4th century is most likely. Typical detector found grots, I have hundreds. Jerry

He's actually asking £1550, he's referencing the £1250 which was in EF. I did think it went cheaply at £317, but these prices are mad! Dave Craddock has had one similar at £500 for a while. Jerry

Looks mid to late 4th century from the portrait, but I cant be more specific. Looks a genuine detector found to me. Jerry

I have certainly seen lead hem weights, but with two holes, like large buttons, to sew through. And I agree, why the serrations? Do they both have only one hole? If two, I would have thought them to be childs 'whizzers', the musical toy that was spun on string and made a noise. With only one hole, they must have been nailed to something, or maybe spun like a top with a nail. Bit of a puzzle, quite honestly. Jerry

Yes, all 1860 N over N sideways are 2D, but two physically different obverse 2 dies were used with the one reverse die over its lifetime. The earlier obverse die has a much less dramatic 'A' repair. As Rob suggests, a sequence - or rather a number of interlinking sequences of individual dies- could be extrapolated in either chronological direction throughout the early years of production through obsessive study of large numbers of pennies, using progressive die damage as markers. Any volunteers? ? Jerry

Which of the obverse dies is the one without the crack, Bob? It certainly looks very fresh, and does its reverse display the crack below the N of penny? It clearly comes early in one of the two production die pairings. Interesting that both dies did crack from the top leaf, but slightly differently of course. Jerry PS just noticed that it has the doubled A in VICTORIA, thus the later production die pairing. The reverse die should be 'middle aged'.

Yes, clearly the case, I have just checked my five N over N sideways, same die combinations as yours, and same progression in the reverse die crack. I have two of the earlier obverse (doubled tail to R in REG) and 3 of the later ( doubled A in VICTORIA and rotated R in BRITT) . Jerry

They are on their way, it took several days for an email confirmation after the order. I will certainly report the outcome, though they are not the same as the one I am trying to match. Either way, Non, I'm very grateful for your help. Jerry

Yes, that is it. Looks authentic to me too, having dug many soil found hammies over the years. But needs accurate weight , and the opinion of an appropriate expert to be sure. But if right, what a find! Jerry

I see what you mean. Thats rather nice, isn't it? R of REG, by the way. Jerry

There were two obverse 2 dies used the 1860 N over N sideways, they are both fairly often found and both have repairs. I tend to look for the A of VICTORIA which is also badly repaired. Jerry

Happy Morning After! ??

Me too, other then pages I looked at last night and which might be in the computers cache.

I dont think it is a secret, his site was advertised below his posts before the forum server change, and is still available if you google 'my penny collection', near the top of results for me. Comparison with the CC photos in Coin News confirms the link. Jerry

Ah yes, I know whose collection it is now. Some nice specimens. Jerry

Is it still available on the net? Jerry

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