jelida

There was meant to be a smiley at the end of my last post, before you get too incandescent! Jerry⛏☠

It is scarce, and I have not yet found one better than fine. I recently sorted a few kilos of Victorian pennies from my local auction, there were 29 1898 pennies, of which two were of this type, with the changed '8' font, and that approximates to what I've noted on the 'bay. I actually rather like this as a variety, they do look quite different in the hand (under a strong glass, of course, my eyes aren't that good!). Much better than date widths that vary fron die to die Jerry

Not an open 3 sadly, but the mark below the date does need clarifying, would be great if you were right. Get some microscope pics! Jerry

Have a great day Bob, and a Merry Christmas to the colonies. Jerry

The fairs from the new year start at 09.30 instead of 10, notices were up in the hall yesterday. I usually get to Ian P by 10.01 at the latest, nice bloke, nice coins and good prices. No website afaik. The problem with Dave C is that he knows what he has! But good quality, and pricing is fair, unlike some. But of course our own Rob P is the most knowledgeable of the lot! Jerry

Cheers Pete! But you are half right in your description! No bronze pennies for me yesterday, I really didnt find anything I wanted, but got the new Spink at a good price, and a little Lizzie silver penny, I figure I might have to branch out. Rob did show me a Charles II halfpenny, and a Geo III silver penny, but I wasnt quite tempted. Ian Pratt showed Non and I a small group of Victorian silver forgeries he had acquired, they were frighteningly convincing, especially a pair of 1850's shillings which even had a fake nice old tone , the milling was the only slight givaway I could spot, a little more open and too sharp , but I would have thought them good if I hadnt been told. Jerry

I presume it's the 'nearly 1927 reverse' rather than the 'actual 1927 reverse', of which only one is known, is that right? No books to hand, and my favourite penny site is no longer available to me.... . Jerry

Hate to break a pattern! (but perhaps we can stitch 'em all up beforehand) Jerry

No live online bidding, though you can leave a book bid; the auctioneer is incredibly fast, often taking the barest moment to look at the audience, especially if he has book bids, you cant delay and there is no time to think about it. Nor to add up ones totals, I had to leave a couple of later considerations until I had worked out how much I had spent, luckily just a hundred over my pot. Perhaps those of us going should meet for a coffee (or something) to introduce ourselves. I'm not sure the proofs are within my range, but I do fancy a couple of the rare currency issues.... Jerry

I just love this one. The simplistic optimism and the spelling too! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-King-George-Vi-Penny-/151913693506?hash=item235ec30142:g:W9EAAOSwfZ1WbCm9 Jerry

Under the Treasure Act 1997 if the coins are gold or silver, and more than 300 years old, two or more associated coins constitutes a hoard, ten or more if base metal. Distance is not relevant if one-time association can be demonstrated to the coroner's satisfaction. In my part of the world it can take 2 or 3 years for the treasure process to reach a conclusion, and the hoard usually claimed in its entirity. I would be very surprised if any (other than 'strays',as they are euphemistically referred to) ever reach the market, particularly as they can be used as loan collateral by a museum needing to raise funds after acquisition. Jerry

That is nice, Pete, well done! Jerry

Beautiful coins! I'll be there, but perhaps more in hope than expectation! Jerry

The pics of the 'triple F' on the LCA website really do not do it justice, many would call it AU and expect the upper estimate for a normal F10. While I do not get particularly excited about most repairs, the 'triple F' is such a dramatic 'botched job' that I think it is worthy of a varietal place in any Victorian penny collection. Jerry

I got six pennies that fill gaps, including really beautiful 1865 and 1878 pennies, an upgrade UNC 1875 narrow date (at less than it sold for 6 years ago, ex Findlow) , the F10 'triple F' in nice well lustred GEF (CGS 70) and the 1882 F114 again nice GEF( CGS 70). I also bought the high grade 1875H that Colin Cooke have been trying to sell at £1795, but at total £1550 appx I suspect it wasn't a bargain, but it is the variety described by Gouby with the nicely doubled ribbon end repair, this was not advertised by LCA (though they have recognised it in the past), by MG's figures it appears to be rare. I really enjoyed my first visit to LCA, but am 'cleaned out' and will have to raid savings for the Midland on Sunday. Will try and post some pics later in the week. Jerry

I was the underbidder on the F7 at £1050 but there's always some-one wants it more, it seems for me. Nice coin. I can wait. Jerry

Thanks all, they are in excellent condition, however there is no price realised list for parts 2 and 3 (cat no's 48 and 56), if anyone could do me a scan....? I have a few of the envelopes ,these came with some Monmouthshire C17 tokens that I bought when her collection was auctioned some years ago, they will remain (I hope) with the tokens in perpetuity, though the latter currently reside in a coin cabinet. Jerry

Finally persuaded to help the wife tidy up the extensive loft this evening, covered the landing with stuff for tip or charity; but one particularly heavy box turned out to be 1960's Seaby bulletins and a couple of dozen 1980's Spink auction catalogues, given to me by Dad during my collecting lapse in the 90's and naughties. What did I pull out first but the four Norweb sale catalogues. And what ecstacy for a penny collector! All those proofs, heavy flans, patterns, great rarities! Where did they go? Did they disperse widely, or end up in the vaults of a small clique of super-wealthy collectors? Or do they continue to surface sporadically? These sales were thirty years ago now. These volumes are a super reference, and will find a home on the shelves. Jerry

Thanks Bob, that sounds like an essential purchase for halfpenny collectors, but also one I should look into. Jerry

Ah, that might be the explanation. Jerry

Will do, but now you guys have got me puzzled. According to my copy of Freeman, the 1985 one, the 1874 date halfpenny (with or without H) only occurs with obverses 7, 8,9 and 10. Has this been revised? Dont forget we are looking at halfpennies here, not the pennies I am more familiar with. Jerry

Is it to do with the stops? There is a colon between D and G, but a definite single stop between the G and the R of REX, is this unusual? Jerry

I'd go with 9J, after pondering Freeman for 15 minutes. Jerry

It was nice to meet you briefly at the Midland Coin Fair, there is almost something of interest, and its the quarterly 'biggie' in December. Decent coins. Jerry

True, it cant be reverse 'E' , so shouldnt be a 'B'. Either a squiffy 'A' or nothing, then. Jerry