jelida

It had everything to do with not being in the EU. As you correctly say, there was a lot of flexibility in terms of negotiation regarding the vaccine. But also, as you correctly say most EU members opted for the ‘United’ approach. In this respect they were hampered by massive bureaucracy and inter-state competition for resources which impaired their decision making process. Even when presented with access to an effective and inexpensive vaccine, developed with British money and expertise, in which they had declined to invest heavily or place early contracts for, they actively maligned the vaccine in many quarters, misrepresenting the risk/benefit ratio and discouraging usage as exemplified by Macron’s stupid pronouncements. Had we still been in the EU would things have been different? Well, there would have been considerable pressure to conform to a united approach, and we probably would have done. But if we had acted as we in fact did , but as EU members , we could have been restrained by EU compliance and regulatory delays and possibly contracted differently and there is no guarantee the outcomes would have been the same. So outside the EU we had a very successful vaccine rollout. Within the EU we might still have done reasonably, but we certainly wouldn’t have done better and would most likely have done worse. Quite frankly, logically it’s a no-brainer. Jerry.

Absolutely, about a month ahead of the rest of Europe in approving and implementing vaccine rollout utilising the effective and vastly cheaper Astro-Zeneca vaccine, and more expensive alternatives where clinically indicated. Despite adverse National factors such as ethnic make-up, population density, multi centre seeding etc our NHS was not overwhelmed unlike Italy, and Spain amongst others and over the pandemic as a whole we are in the middle ground compared to other European countries in per capita mortality and were able to open up economically much earlier. Professor David Spiegelhalter, who I saw at the Hay Festival, acknowledged this as being a UK success story. Jerry

And look at his recent feedback. Jerry

Here. https://www.rpcoins.co.uk

Well they have agreed to pull it now, having been shown this thread. Polite reply, but no further explanation. My correspondence was with their London office - 'incorporating Seaby Coins', but the auction and I presume cataloguing is in the USA - though I agree it should be obvious, unless of course they have the original from which the fakes were copied....nah!. 😁 Jerry

It wasn’t a slender 3, despite Bruce’s insistence, but a better than most open 3, so I decided to keep it. I took Gouby’s page on the types of 3 to give him at the Midland fair, but he wasn’t there last time. I find that Bruce is a little erratic on grading and varieties, and I hadn’t expected the real thing so wasn’t too disappointed! It’s a shame he seems unable /unwilling to send photos. It must be a month since I received his catalogue with this in, the delay makes it pretty pointless advertising in the magazine. Jerry

But according to the diagram above - information sourced by politico from the EU - Turkey is already an ‘EU candidate’ ! Though I agree they shouldn’t be. Jerry.

F111, 2/1. Its a very pretty coin. Jerry

I agree, and I would bet that it is 2/1 as well, I think the evidence is there. Well, I’ll know in a few days. Provided it’s not a normal 115 I’ll be happy. Jerry

I have already given the details to Michael. Jerry

And a cheap $10 wide date 1889.

Here is the Stephen Album 'Medusa', really nice with toned lustre peripherally. Expensive I know (over £2900) but a nice clear Gorgon's head. And missed the VAT! Jerry

Yes, I noted that. But is is F114 or F111? I think there is a gap between the R and the I, though the photo is not great. Jerry

Yes, I messaged him earlier. He is going to approach the American auction house that sold him the coin (see the sticker in second pic). Jerry

Is this really a modified effigy, despite the slab? Looking at the BM initials, and the colon after BRITT, I have doubts. But apparently a good investment. Jerry https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265719087505?hash=item3dde178191:g:HdMAAOSweUFimGwD

Soft artists brush, maybe cut to 1cm, and a dip in petrol and gentle scrub gets rid of that gubbins in no time. Might be worth it anyway, the sweat, salts and grease can be a trigger for verdigris. Doesn’t leave a mark, though I usually dab with acetone after, petrol is not pure. Jerry

3 over slightly rotated 3, I would say. Jerry

Guy is ‘The Coinery’, Stuart is ‘Coinery’. It’s caught me out before now too. Jerry

As to whether this effect can be created post mint, I think this calls for some practical experimentation. As Blake says, I doubt the effect would be difficult to create. But as to whether it can happen in the strike - well, that would depend on one solid steel die becoming concave, and it’s matching die becoming convex - both significantly so- and without any ‘stretching effect’ on the design, despite the distances around the curved surfaces having become greater. It is a puzzle, and unless a mint can come up with examples of appropriately deformed dies, I an doubtful we will have a definitive answer, just supposition. If I find the opportunity to do some experimentation, I will report back. But even then nothing would be proven with regard to your coin. But I could flatten it for you if needed. 🤭 Jerry

This topic includes some interesting comments and link. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/concave-convex-20-s-lincoln.273028/ Jerry

Yes, at least with the solid blocks of steel the Royal Mint historically used as dies, and to the degree shown on your coin. As to why, we shall never know without evidence. But people certainly do strange things to coins, for fun, as test- pieces, to re-purpose, to defraud , as art-work and as puzzles and many others. And the need to restore a coin bent or damaged due to agricultural activity often presents, in practice many detector found coins benefit from careful conservation to be acceptable to collectors. Jerry

I often use a hardwood punch (piece of dowel) with a hammer to straighten coins I find metal detecting, and use a hardwood block with recesses of various sizes ( drilled using bits from 1/4 inch to 1 inch approx) to accommodate the un-evenness of the coin so I can work on a small area at a time. It is not difficult to imagine that a farthing, placed centrally over a recess so that it is supported by its edges, and then given a sharp tap or two using said punch might end up domed, without sustaining damage. The hardwood punch leaves no mark on my coins, even if annealed. I would say though that it is very difficult to strike a domed coin from flat dies. Jerry

I bought the 1827 penny in AU55, £1500 hammer. Certainly seems a fair price compared to LCA offerings in an inferior grade. And no evidence of corrosion, rare to see one better. Jerry

While on the topic of pennies purchased from Australia, I got this one last year, a rather nice F77. I have noted that there appear to be two F77 reverse g dies , with different date spacing, 11 teeth (this coin, and my other) , and 12 teeth as per the pic taken from a LCA example. Jerry