Diaconis

Despite sounding like a family of 'ground and lofty' tumblers, achromatic triplets are intended to reduce aberration, that out of focus at various points. Triplet means that it has three achromatic, colour correction, antireflection lenses. I think they are cemented but I'm not sure. They show no distortion at all.

Bryan, I can recommend the Belomo loupes, bit pricey but value for money. https://belomostore.com 10x and 15x. Made in Belarus, excellent quality, small, quite heavy and sturdy. Triplet and quadruplet lenses. They also offer a set of 5 (8x 10x 12x 15x 20x). They're on Fleabay of course too at about £25 each Paul

Interesting article here about Mehmed https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehmed_III Of specific interest is the relationship with England and the brief exchange of goods. Could be that this coin made it back with one of the sailors or merchants at the time. Great find.

...that she should be above suspicion? Frankie Howerd, titter ye not, may have uttered a few during the course of Up Pompeii.

Hello Rob, Interesting post. Here are some thoughts. "Rawlins was in Bristol making tokens in 1652 whereas Ramage was employed at the mint. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Rawlins Note the lozenge stops so characteristic of Rawlins' work. However, both Rawlins and Ramage studied under Briot, so the pair will undoubtedly have learned and practised similar skills and methods. Ramage also used lozenges, but I can't make a case for Rawlins ever using mullets." Let's take Rawlins' Armstrong farthings (1660-1) as an example of his work at the lowly farthing scale. Almost sketch-like engraving with flourishes, fluidity, flamboyance, depth, and perspective. Harp with Angel and the temerity to put your initial on the St. Edwards Crown. (I feel that the hard-working subservient Ramage would not even have considered such a thing, his 'R' usually being located below the main design.) Ramage, on the other hand, was more deliberate, less artistic in design and largely 2 dimensional. Ramage preferred Irish Harp with Bird. It looks like a Dodo. Certainly far easier to carve than a delicate Angel. His initial below the main design and as you point out the use of mullets. The above pattern (P387 1656) also bears a striking resemblance to the City of Bristol (COB) farthings. Michael-Roo's 1657 example also exhibits many elements in common. I like to think that Ramage was behind the COB farthings and shipped ready-made dies to his past employer to get him up and running and earning money upon his return from exile in 1652. Perhaps also hedging his bets, should the monarchy return. It can't have been easy for Rawlins, having to keep his head down upon his return to England, set up shop in Bristol, obtain the tooling, make the dies, and then produce what by his standards, seems such substandard work. What better than ready-made dies, dated 1652? At the moment, I tend to sit on the Ramage side of the fence on this one, I can't see Rawlins hand in the COB farthings. "With Rawkins in France from 1648 to 1652 following the Civil War, there is no debate about the engraver of the 1651 patterns, nor the significance of the mullets. As the resident engraver at the mint for the duration of the Commonwealth, the R is unambiguous in the case of the early three pillars dies and those of the Cromwell farthings for the simple reason that Rawlins was known to be elsewhere," also stylistically, the poorer engraving, the use of Bird on Irish harp on centre pillar, exactly like the 1651 patterns. I can't recall Rawlins ever adopting the Bird on harp? "The reinstallation of Thomas Rawlins as chief engraver would lead one to think that the R referred to him in every instance post-1660, but with David Ramage also employed as engraver at the mint and having similarly signed the dies with an R, the jury is out. The three pillars was a symbol of the Commonwealth and as such, unlikely to find favour in the court of Charles II." I fully agree, he was also occupied with more important work to do at that time, the 1661 Coronation medal for example. Yes, too busy, and too careful, not to be seen associated with any Commonwealth propaganda. More likely that the disaffected Ramage's continued to produce the three pillar designs and perhaps, as has been said before, his son continued using his father's dies (e.g P473 - P477 / 480...) I agree that the mullets do seem to be a good indicator of Ramage's work to be viewed along with other stylistic considerations and historical context.

Doesn't quoting oneself seem rather arrogant? Anyway, I'll risk it. There's a newcomer on the block, what's your opinion on this one JLS? Victoria gold Proof 5 Pounds 1893 PR67 S Ultra Cameo NGC 2017 $150k(inc bp) Heritage auction 3051. And get this "quite possibly the finest survivor from the original 773 examples" (Looks scratched to me🤭) Greg? Are you hovering?, I think Spink better revise their £16,500 FDC (PR66-70) pricing, or maybe just not take account of silly American prices.

I was replying to JLS Yes, sorry Asda, I said it was a proof but called it an MS. it’s a PR64. Here’s link to it on numisbids. https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=3234&lot=2070

It was an ms64 cameo 🥳 The causation would appear to be tpgc grading and all the bs hyperbole surrounding it. Rarity doesn’t seem to count so much if you have a population topper, even of a relatively common coin.

There was an 1893 proof that went for £45k (inc bp) in June😯😮😲

...and how to grade https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Edward-Silver-1-2-Crown-1902-Beautiful-UNC-/233352462223?nav=SEARCH Bunc?, Abunc or bunkum, more like, not to mention that asking price😯. I bought a few 1902’s (in far better condition btw) when top grades sold for +/-£160, and that’s only a couple of years ago. I now see examples being touted for upwards of £300-400. Whether they sell for that is another matter of course. Greedy.

The thing is full of dings, perhaps a new definition of MS, Mediocre Scrap 62 ? Looks like someone has attacked it with a chasing hammer. Nevertheless, I’m sure there will be someone who will give it a loving home.

@jaggy very interesting Fullerton pattern sixpence soon up for auction at Künker. A beautiful rarity with interesting history. https://coinsweekly.com/counterfeited-coins-or-not-counterfeited-coins-that-is-the-question/ I read with interest of Matthew Young’s role in the creation of the patterns. I’ve a couple of coins that have passed through his hands. Always good to connect some dots. (I’m sure that the recent discussion on how best to handle the other half after a hefty purchase will be useful to the lucky winner. Methinks the €10,000 reserve will be blown out of the water.)

oh, the tides they are a-changin. (sorry, carry on)

Paddy, it's called Photoscape X (for Mac) and it is free.

Paddy, thanks for the tip, it works great, lots of possibilities (found it in the Mac store ) Just couldn't resist quickly trying it out, here's a plugged, decapitated, and 'defe(e)ated' obsidional Pontefract shilling, very intuitive, don't need to read a book👍 thanks, Paul

Made me smile. Remember those innocent good old days, before the plague really took hold ⚰️ (couldn't find a perspex coffin)

Came across this website the other day, The Old Currency Exchange. MB1 left a comment on Sept 16. Clearly was aware of 1933 penny and the various forgeries. Her command of English was better back then😉 https://oldcurrencyexchange.com/2014/08/20/rare-coins-the-1933-british-penny/#comments

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1676-CHARLES-II-SILVER-SHILLING/392380831600?hash=item5b5bb85770:g:4IsAAOSw2QtdUoT3 Cast shilling (no stop after HIB).

wtb?

Can't think of a more endearing theme for a coin collection. Not for the savvy Investor.

Mike is probably spot on here, (no pun intended) humidity and acids are the cause. A chap in China made a study of the effects of sweat causing pitting corrosion on brass coins using synthetic sweat. Here's a snippet which might be of interest. "Corrosion behavior of brass coinage was investigated in synthetic sweat solution by electrochemical measurement and surface analysis methods including scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX). It is indicated that chloride ions in sweat solution accelerate the anodic active dissolution of brass, which is the main reason for pitting corrosion and dezincification corrosion. Meanwhile, lactic acid and ammonia water also promote the anode reaction. The corrosion products on the surface are mainly composed of basic copper chloride, cuprous oxide, the complex consisting of urea in association with copper, and few lactate ions. The kinetics of pitting corrosion development obeys the following equation of J0=0.3735(t+185.93)−1/2, and the process is controlled by the dissolution of salt deposited on pit surface." So, it would seem that if your coin is dehydrated then, the brake is on for pitting. 'Handle with gloves' and keep them in a very dry environment would seem the way to go here.

Wow, now there’s £+7000 worth of fakes sold.

Could just be the awful toning but I'd want to see this one on the scales before I bought it, my scales that is😉 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/123849889017?ul_noapp=true "t is a superior collectors coin with a superior tone one for the big boys and LADIES and is worth every penny "

Yet, “I never clean any coin dirt is age tone and patina and i always handle them with gloves on A nice coin for any collector” 🤭