Diaconis

Rob, Two references sprang to mind: - Biographical dictionary of medallists: coin, gem, and seal engravers, mint-masters, &c., ancient and modern, with references to their works B.C. 500-A.D. 1900 / compiled by L. Forrer. I just checked and can only find reference to a Francois Rude, no Coyner and no 'Ruud' unfortunately. I think your best bet would be - Beschrijving der Nederlandsche Historie Penningen (Description of Historic Dutch Medals), Gerard van Loon. I have a hard copy but do not have access to it at this moment, however, you might be able to find an electronic copy somewhere on the net. If not, I'll be able to scan through my copy at a later date if need be and you can't find one. Paul.

Hi Mike, I do hope that you enjoy it and that the quality of the plates is reflected in the Amazon copy. The original does have gilt-edged pages and the plates are treated with similar gilt/silver/copper embossing. It must have been a costly exercise for Mr Humphrey in the 1850s.

Though a later book, if you get the chance, pick up a gilt-edged copy of Noel Humphrey's, The Coinage of the British Empire (1854). They turn up occasionally at auction, usually in job lots, and can be purchased for a few pounds. I'm sure most have been butchered as the plates are perfect for framing and the binding did leave a lot to be desired so most copies are in tatters. Photos don't do them justice, they are very vivid.

Personally speaking, I do like to behold an old book. Spending time examining the woodcuts under a strong glass can be fascinating, some are very thought-provoking. Snelling has some interesting ones in, 'A View of the Silver Coin and Coinage of England.... ". Added to that, the annotated margins, thick parchment paper, and the musty aroma of decomposing VOC's that linger with the turn of each leaf, just wonderful.

Rare Australian variant?, mm. Emu (en passant regardant)

"Actually", I think you covered most of them there 😉

One of my pet peeves, “awesome” being used for something as banal as a cup of coffee or in place of “thank you”

Yes, there do seem to be a few about Rob. However, they don't often pass unscathed through a couple of reputable auction houses beforehand.

I was interested to see an extensive selection of Queen Anne pattern farthings come up for sale at the recent DNW auction. I noticed a Peck 748 (Cu) for sale and they don't seem to surface that often. It was Lot 796 (photo below, RH image). At first sight, it looked a fine example , EF, nice toning, but on a closer inspection, it just looked odd. It hammered at £1800 (excl costs) which may be about the going rate for one these days, maybe more, I don't know. The auction catalogue lists it as Peck 748 (Obv. 4 + Rev. D). As a comparison, I've added the LH image which is Peck 747 same dies, (Obv. 4 + Rev. D) (ex. CNG 2012). When compared side by side it is apparent that they are not from the same set of dies. The DNW example being of a slightly cruder design and workmanship. The reverse (Rev. D) on the DNW example also exhibits small dissimilarities and crudeness of design yet curiously still exhibits the die flaws on the right hand portico column and after the NIA in BRITANNIA. It would be nice to think it to be a rare, contemporary variant of Peck 748 but imo its more likely to be an imitation, there to deceive. I suppose that had the die-break not been there on the reverse then it could have been an unrecorded variant but the very presence of the die flaw should surely preclude the smallest of differences elsewhere on the coin. Any thoughts?

Pretty awful cast copy at an exhorbitant price, and I seriously doubt that it’s silver https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1658-Oliver-Cromwell-Shilling-in-a-nice-collectible-grade/142972630441?hash=item2149d535a9:g:NBAAAOSw5nxbcTt3 and authenticated by Bonhams no less

The recent thread concerning the myth of 1922 pennies containing gold caused me to reflect on how much numismatic and social history is buried within the pages of long-lost newspapers. Over the years I've found several such clippings between the leaves of old discarded books, invariably put there by our predecessors for safekeeping. I thought some of you might be interested to see some of them. Would make a great read in book form, for those so inclined. The right-hand clipping in the first photograph also refers to the 1922 penny as being valuable....maybe because of the gold myth? Don't want to incite a rampage down to the Vicarage stable at Chard but.........

Rob, In October 2017 I reluctantly coughed up £70 for a photographic reproduction, as the coin was a from a specific collection I had little choice. I must say though that, despite the high price, it is very well done and the detail is superb at 10MB.

That 'treasure chest' is just awful, "You’re George III coins are displayed a fabulous wooden sea chest, just like the Captain of the Admiral Gardner may have owned". Talk about anachronisms. If the Captain of the Admiral Gardner had owned a chest like that, then along with inventing the cross head screw, Henry Phillips must have had access to a tardis.

This one's from 1954 and concerns the chase for Edward VIII experimental brass threepenny bits which made it into circulation. I pity the young lad who was honest enough to return No.3 to the mint and have it confiscated, he'd get about £60,000 for it now.

Much appreciated MrBadE, thanks, I think I've got the hang of it now. Here's another, worthy of a film, a short one though I'll give you that. Alec Guinness, Stanley Holloway, Sid James and little Alfie Bass.

Craigy, check out: http://www.coinbooks.org.html

Probably find most here: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ The 1955 - Birmingham Daily Post (November 1st) is there but I'm not a member.

It's an old one but it did make me laugh out loud when I first heard it.

Thanks Rob, most interesting. I later found the following table which Earle Caley drew up to compare various contemporary scales; Mionnet / Leake / Dickeson / Prime and Head scales. Can’t recall seeing the other scales mentioned in old catalogues though. They didn’t seem to enjoy quite the same popularity as Mionnet😉 Scale Number Mionnet, 1805 Leake, 1854 Dickeson, 1859 Prime, 1861 Head, 1887 1 8.9 I 9.3 9.5 7.5 9.3 2 12.1 II 12.1 12.5 14.0 12.3 3 15.4 III 15.3 15.3 20.1 15.3 4 18.1 IV 18.1 18.3 24.2 17.8 5 21.2 V 21.2 21.3 28.2 21.0 6 23.7 VI 23.8 24.2 32.1 23.9 7 26.6 VII 26.6 26.6 40.4 26.1 8 28.9 VIII 28.8 28.9 43.0 28.4 9 31.8 IX 31.4 31.3 45.7 31.2 10 35.2 X 34.9 33.9 48.3 34.7 11 37.7 XI 37.5 36.5 52.3 37.5 12 40.5 XII 39.7 39.0 55.1 39.7 13 43.4 42.1 57.8 43.2 14 51.8 50.4 60.3 51.0 15 56.7 54.9 62.9 55.9 16 60.6 58.7 65.8 60.1 17 64.5 62.8 68.6 63.2 18 70.9 68.8 71.6 69.8 19 78.3 75.9 74.6 77.0 20 83.1 82.1

Always on the look out for interesting information I can add to a ticket. I was just browsing through the Pembroke Collection catalogue and I happened upon the Scale of Mionnet. How have I done without it? . Very similar to the scale of Dubonnet if you ask me. T.E. Mionnet Description de Medailles Antiques. Paris, 1805.

I fully agree jasonsewell, that halfcrown is a real beauty, and though not my line of collecting I can still appreciate the DeS' busts, real works of art, and I do have a penchant for an off-metal rarity to boot. The reverse is of equal merit, beautiful work, one of the better halfcrown reverses I find, and in gold it is more impressive. Would be a joy to behold and hold in hand I'm sure. Above, I see two 'expertly' graded NGC boxes where, if you swapped the labels around, it might be closer to the truth (imo).

You're welcome DrLarry, somehow I knew that YOU would like it

Video may be of interest, hope so. I had a Firefly, now expired, was comparable with a Dino-Lite. Looking to purchase a new one. Might try one of these.

i’m not so optimistic i’m afraid. my money’s on pobjoy 😉