jelida

I think its the norm, the others on the net seem the same, but the 6 (not the one) definitely seems larger than the rest. Jerry

That was my first impression too, though I've just checked mine and it is the same, 6 and possibly 1 both look larger. Is this the norm? Need to look at more. Jerry

This vendor has already sold one Scarborough Siege piece for £100 according to his feedback, the buyer is really pleased as he has had it assessed and it is real! Bo***cks! Jerry

And yet I would say that the pic on the left is the more 'correct', though I would lighten it a touch; it has a more even balance, without the glare and 'white out' of some of the highlights of the pic on the right. It is the left pic that would be chosen for a catalogue. Jerry

Surprised not to see any replies from the hammered guys on the forum; from my limited knowledge I would say that the James shilling is exceptionally nice, good flan and nice even strike, at least VF for me. The groat is more 'run of the mill' I would say, a nice coin but a little short of flan , and these can be found better; still a good example, and again a good VF. But I would then have to be guided by Spink as regards price; any idea of what is being asked? C'mon, lets have some proper experts! Jerry

I had actually tried to work out from the sun whether it was morning or evening, eventually deciding that only a madman would have got up voluntarily that early. I felt this to be confirmed by the fact that I have booked to catch a bus at 05.45 to get to the London coin fair in a couple of weeks. There's dedication! Keep posting! Jerry

Does have a slightly 'unofficial' look to it, but doesn't look like a modern fake to me. I presume it's a detecting find? Jerry

Absolutely beautiful! Amazed at the stability of the platform offered by these machines, though looks to have been a still evening. You live in a wonderful area, though I see even German palace lawns are plagued by moles! Jerry

Obverse 6, reverse G, one of the commonest varieties. To be fair to him, I see that he did re-list it correctly this morning, good man. We do all make mistakes, perhaps it was inadvertant. Jerry

I'm sure many of the coins are fine, and he does start them cheaply. I can only comment on the pennies here, but since xmas he has (presumably inadvertently) on a number of occasions misattributed Victorian pennies, identifying mundane coins as excessively rare Freeman varieties , I have yet to see him do the opposite but do check his coins as presumably he will get it wrong in the other direction eventually! This coin was the latest example, but I see he has cancelled the auction today, perhaps it will be relisted correctly described. Or am I 'ever the optomist?' Jerry

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Penny-1861-Freeman-28-dies-5-G-Very-Rare-rated-R18-by-Freeman-/331634213605?hash=item4d36f082e5 Ever the optomist! Usually wrong. Jerry

I signed up to vote for him! Not that I'd consider myself a natural Labour supporter, but I do love that joe public can have a say in who leads a party that might one day influence our lives....or indeed make it unelectable. I think it is a wonderful exercise in democracy, but a stupid idea. Now for the flak......... Jerry

They all look as fake as fudge to me. And yet.. people are bidding. I would agree. There are quite a few Anglo-Saxon Northumbrian appearing on Ebay lately just as pristine and definitely cast copies. They went for £848.........madness, some people should not be trusted with money! Jerry

Hurrah!

Aha, found where you got it, and he took your best offer! I'm glad you got a bargain from this seller, he's usually extortionately priced, as this one would have been were it a normal '62. Well done indeed, get some proper close-ups when it arrives, my own feeling is that it has to be a repair, rather than an error elsewhere in the die production chain, though that may be impossible to prove. Jerry

Excessively rare, perhaps unique! I agree it does not look like a repair, but if not there would have to have been an erroneous puncheon, from which the die was made, and before that an erroneous master, how likely is that? Is this coin yours? If so, can you get microscope close-ups? (I am assuming that it is not photoshopped) What a super find! Jerry

Thanks Mr T, that's one I'm keeping for reference! Jerry

Hi bhx and welcome to the forum. What you have behind the bust on the second coin is the result of a die clash , where a reverse die has caused indentation of the obverse die, this then showing on coins struck therafter. The pattern is due to an impression of part of Britannia's dress. These die clashes are quite commonly seen, and dont alter the value of the coin. Date spacing of the final digit is quite variable as they were entered by hand. Some collectors do try to acquire examples of the extreme variations, but again the prices are not usually any different. Jerry

Superb explanation, and I second Peters expression of thanks; I refer to your books (I have the earliest and two later editions) almost every day. Jerry

Thanks Bernie, fascinating, never knew that, now I'm going to have to look for Reverse d varieties! At least not too expensive. I've got a long way to go to be a 'real' Penny expert. Jerry

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lot-of-7-Ancient-Coins-Wessex-Alfred-the-Great-Danish-Northumbria-Siefred-/191654064744?hash=item2c9f78f268 Complete with provenance, so must be good! Jerry

Thanks, Bernie. Out of interest, the reverse die used on this coin is extremely worn, with little fine detail remaining, as was one shown by Dave (Azda) on this forum several years ago. I wonder whether the die was declared 'unfit for purpose' fairly early in its use in this pairing, hence the rarity? Have any members seen this combination with a 'crisp' reverse die? Jerry

Within the last couple of weeks, but from overseas. Jerry

I put the wrong obverse on! What an a*se I am, in a hurry to get to Quiz night at the pub! (did awfully). Anyhow, lets try again. F21 I hope this time; Jerry

Though I agree doesnt show on the scan, strangely! Will post a pic in a mo.