jelida

Nice early weight, not a coin weight but a trade weight, cant find the book at the mo but I think the shield dates from the Commonwealth period. Jerry

I really cant give an id on the pin, though it looks too thick to be from a brooch (though again a scale would help). Here are a couple of harness decorations.

Agreed. I rather like the early post mediaeval harness decorations, frequently gilded, they are a reminder of the brighter, showy side of our existence in the fifteenth , sixteenth and seventeenth centuries that we tend not to be aware of now, with history taught with reference to war, conflict, politics and pestilence, wheras life went on 'behind the scenes' with rather greater humour and gaity as circumstances allowed. For all their faults, humans tend to the positive. I will hunt out some of mine. Jerry

Fair enough Pete, we have to disagree on this issue. But for general information, I have seen nail varnish remover equated with acetone; numismatically, they are not the same, nail varnish remover contains additives, wheras pure acetone is 100% volatile. If anybody does decide to experiment, and by all means choose low value coins first, only use pure acetone. Jerry

I think I have to turn my attention to the collection of over a hundred voided cross pennies, purchased mostly in the nineties by my mother, gifted to me. I think it is well worth building on this, and I would like advice regarding appropriate literature. I have bought 'The Brussels Hoard' (obviously not all of it) and I have North and Spink. I really need a straightforward and portable reference when out at the fairs to pin down possible purchases; is Christopher Wren's book any good, or are there other recommendations? Big pictures definitely an asset! Jerry

Acetone is a solvent as is water, but safer for the coin as it does not leave residue, unlike water which, unless distilled, contains dissolved salts and added chlorine (which is the main culprit as regards verdigris) Previous acetone application does not show, nor affect lustre, and has no effect on the coin; nor in fact do most of the organic solvents including petrol which is a very effective de-waxer, though I would have some concerns about additives (and would probably use acetone after!) . The overall effect if used correctly and appropriately is to return the coin as much as possible to its 'natural state', which should not include a layer of harmful gunge from previous mis-handling. This is only my opinion too, Pete , though it does have some scientific basis in the chemistry of corrosion (refer Plenderleith, and Jenny Cronin for texts that I have found very useful when undertaking archaeological conservation work in the past) I would certainly agree in being selective though, most coins don't need treating and if not confident in what you are doing, dont do it! Jerry

In this discussion, Pete, I would refer back to a post I made on the previous page, and comment that acetone is purely a solvent, a decontaminant, in this instance. Unless applied with undue abrasion, neither the coin nor its patina or lustre is affected, merely surface contaminants removed, reducing the liklihood of future corrosion. The term 'cleaned' should not be equated with 'damaged' in this context, it is simply that a 'dirty' coin is no longer 'dirty'. Jerry

Another optimist! The typo at the beginning of his second sentence seems singularly appropriate. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/One-Penny-Coin-1861-Toothed-Border-/301868882224?hash=item4648c99930:g:VCYAAOSwUuFWugtc Jerry

This article deals quite comprehensively with the possible issues arising from putative identification of detector found objects, and I urge you all to read it. https://thedailydetectorist.com/2016/01/21/hoard-of-celtic-ring-money-turned-out-to-be-remains-of-victorian-curtain-factory/ Jerry

Great news, and one in good condition too, well done!

And my penny from Pete arrived today, a really lovely 1908, slabbed by CGS, here is the link but better in the hand than the pics, so many thanks Pete, and for your generosity, definitely subsidized my collecting here! http://www.coingradingservices.co.uk/?uin=36985&page=coin_verification&Submit=Verify Jerry

That is niiiice........,

Perhaps, but at least that would explain why it was done at all, for a purpose rather than pointlessly messing around with dangerously strong acids. A coin would be the most accessible source of metallic copper in the home, and electrical tape is waterproof and would certainly have made an adequate temporary connection; the electrolyte would have been easily available dilute cooking citric acid,vinegar or similar, and I think the area under the tape where there is darker linear pitting would suggest the wire contact point that would have reacted more aggressively when electrolyte did seep under the tape around the wire. I used to clean encrusted estuary found Roman coins by this very technique using my old Triang train controller for variable 12v and stainless steel electrode and crocodile clip, worked a treat! Jerry

I know this is a bit lateral but do you think it might have been used in electrolysis, as an anode or cathode for copper plating? the tape would have been used to hold the end of a wire against the coin, and where the coin was exposed to electrolyte, metal would have gone into solution. This might be a neat explanation. Any scientists out there? Jerry

Too small to have been a rein guide then. Looks to have some age though, and there must be many uses of a small fixed loop on a harness or strap, or even part of the handle for a small casket.

How big is it George? Try using a ruler or coin in the photo to give an idea of scale. First impression is that its a bit too small for a terret, they are usually a couple of inches in diameter, and it looks like it was held on to something fairly thin like leather. Jerry

Very nice! Is there a specialist publication for the Vikkie coppers other than Peck and Spink? Is Bramagh too dated? Jerry

Thanks Richard, will have a look. Jerry

Nice! Looks like my wife. The one with the champagne, that is. Jerry

Most of us, and certainly the major texts, would consider a valid variety to be a reflection of the design (including possible errors) punched/engraved on the die, rather than subsequent die wear or impairment due to accumulated crud. However there are a few notable exceptions such as the ONF penny which seem to have developed a following. Otherwise striking errors are considered more of an interesting curiosity than true variety, though they do have specialist collectors. Clearly, but rarely, things can change. In the case of your penny, if it could be positively demonstrated that the Royal Mint (or Heaton) did produce a small run of intentionally 'no H' pennies, then an altogether different view might be taken. It certainly is unusual for the H to be totally absent, so enjoy the coin for itself and the debate it can generate. Jerry

The CC coin! Well done Pete. 1911 Gouby X commoner than 1926ME? Must keep looking! Jerry

That is nice, Pete, one I'm looking out for as I try to improve my C20 penny collection. Jerry

What you did was perfectly fair, Matt, let the bidder decide for himself based on the photo. I was watching this, being unsure, but after comparing it with better examples decided not to bid. Others felt it a risk worth taking, and there is clearly an element of uncertainty even with it in the hand. Jerry