jelida

http://www.predecimal.com/forum/topic/8190-1862-half-penny-dl-a-any-ideas/ Here is a link to one previously discussed on this forum. Jerry

The 'letter' appears to have a vertical in the vertical plane of the lighthouse, hence 'B' for me, though it could be an 'A' at 45 degrees angle, as Paulus shows, but the letters I thought were usually correctly aligned, though I accept halfpennies are not really my thing . Jerry

Does look like a letter to me, but so difficult to be sure on these worn coins. Is there enough detail to clarify which Freeman reverse it has? Can you see an 'LCW' anywhere? If it is a letter, I would go for ' B'. Really need better close-up pics. Jerry

The half farthing is the same coin in both pics; did the seller describe it as E over N? If he did, and its not, ask for your money back! Jerry

Look OK to me. But do go for good condition and/or rarity to optimise investment potential. Jerry

Where does he say this? . Page 36 'The British Bronze Penny 1860 to 1901' Jerry

Never a mistake, but a 'learning experience'. And you would always get most of the money back 'on the Bay', but anyway its a nice looking coin, why worry? It is so difficult to tell from photos, may look great in the hand. Like that lovely Gothic Crown of yours; there is clearly very little expert agreement on this forum with the thoughts of one individual at CGS. Don't be disheartened! Not like the two and a half grand I spent repairing the daughters car last summer, only for her to sell it for £600 two weeks later because she 'didn't trust it'! AARGH........ Still, at least I've married her off now! Jerry

Thanks all, I hope the finder reports them.... Jerry

Hi all, these pics were posted following a detecting rally in my neck of the woods - South East Wales-this week-end, and purport to show two Saxon coins found by one individual. These would be a very rare find for this area, but I am suspicious of the style and condition, they look like modern fakes to me. What do you guys think? Fraudster trying to create a provenance, or remarkable (treasure) discovery? Jerry

I bought that 1867, Richard, and the photos didnt do it justice, it has already featured on this forum. The marks were a waxy substance, easily flaked off with a cocktail stick . Look under ' more pennies' some time in August. Jerry

An ' inverted 6' would look a lot like a 9, but an actual 9 would be so much more likely. Is there any difference in the shape of the digit that would cause them to deduce that it is an 'inverted 6'? Jerry

I would call it 12.5 teeth. Must admit I'm not really into date breadth variation..............yet! Jerry

FYO, I attach the images of the new obverse die taken from London Coins website, showing as Terry said that there were at least two (rather fragile) dies for this obverse. Also a close-up of the nape from this coin. I have not changed my view that there has been a minimal revision. Jerry

9 over 9, I would have said. Jerry

Here is the F99 '8 over 8 that I bought today. Cost me £300, but probably not unreasonable as it is a 'published variety' and a single die, and got to be one of the better ones out there, good obverse lustre though duller reverse. Jerry

I shall drop him a line directly, to see if I can arrange for him to examine the coin. Jerry

Definitely an expensive 2 +D. Where have you been, jac? Missed all this exciting straight E 1902 and 145 tooth obverse 2 stuff! ? Jerry

Got one, I think, my other is curved. But its not a difference I would go hunting for. Not like having extra teeth! Jerry

How rare is this coin? I picked one up at the Midland Coin Fair recently, only about fine but only a couple of quid. But I know of one in near EF which might be available for a premium over the 'normal' 1880 price. How much of a premium do you penny guys think would be merited? I know Gouby only knew of one at the time of his 2009 publication, but how many of you guys have one? Jerry

Liquid, it can easily be diluted in water and gives even coverage. Jerry

Patination is a chemical process, whereby a minute layer of surface metal is converted into insoluble compounds, oxides, chlorides, carbonates, sulphides etc dependent upon the environment to which the coin is exposed. Normally this will be a slow, multifactorial process under influence of sweat, water, oils,salts, air pollutants eg sulphides, carbonic acid and I am sure a multitude of other chemicals, and variety of temperatures. The main difference with artificial patination is that the variety of active chemicals is reduced, but the process can be speeded up by increased chemical concentrations and temperature. Liver of Sulphur may certainly be one toning chemical available, there will be others. I have only used it on a couple of coins, pics attached. The chemicals do seem to reduce the gloss of a polished coin, as does prolonged boiling in rainwater. The polished coin needs washing, and de-greasing first (acetone, petrol) to encourage even toning. I tried using the L of S solution hot initially, but the tone was too dark too quickly (see the 1863 penny), but later experimented with a weaker, cooler solution and more prolonged exposure (see the 1874, unfortunately didnt take a 'before' pic. Neither is perfect, but with more practice a satisfactory tone should be possible, certainly both look better than they did. I would hasten to add that this is a 'last resort' measure for coins otherwise beyond redemption! Jerry

A quick, simple way is 'liver of sulphur', a sulphur based patinating solution available in small volumes on the 'bay. Practice on cheap coins, and at different temperatures, use it diluted for a slow, controllable effect. Jerry

I was the under bidder, didnt think I could justify more because of the poor condition. Jerry

I am not sure about the bust line, Richard, it as quite often weakly struck on obverse 2, and I have seen others the same as mine; in fact yours seems unusually well struck (refer Goubys discussion on the putative Gouby DE obverse, and his obv 2 illustrations). The same issue may of course apply to the tuft of hair, though not to any re-engraving. Off now for 3 hrs of badminton, then the pub. Got to get my mind off pennies! Jerry

Hi Terry, its the bulge of hair on the back of the neck to the left and slightly below the knot of the bow. Perhaps start with the last image, of a die modified from F15 (obverse 4), an obverse die designated 'Gouby G' by Michael Gouby, and in which the 'tuft' of hair is not present. Then look at the preceding 3 images, normal F10's, where the tuft is prominent. Then look at ours, the first two images, where I feel the 'tuft' is much reduced, and I feel there has also been re-engraving just above and to the right of the knot. It is difficult however to compare images of differing resolutions, lighting, die wear etc, and so I am anxious to hear what others think. It seems to me that the differing number of teeth, along with design changes, however subtle, would be pretty definitive criteria for declaring this a truly new obverse die, and all kudos to you for noticing it. Jerry First pic is 145 teeth, second a normal 143 tooth.