1949threepence

I think it may have started with my post above, Ian, and went on from there into a full blown discussion about Peck. Such mini debates are often engendered by well meaning and innocuous observations.

He often used to post on various facebook coin groups, but I haven't seen him for a very long time. Well over a year.

OK, opinions will vary. I'd sooner have one anyway.

That is true, but it's the cache of a first edition which is important.

Well done. You don't see many first editions. They're mostly the 1964 or 1970 reprints.

Indeed, mine's also the 1964 edition, but no dust cover. When you think of the time, hard work and sheer dedication that went into producing the book, you really do have to take your hat off to Peck. I doubt we shall see his like again.

It is an amazing book, and of course being it about coins from a previous era, it never ages. The information gathered and presented, being as useful and relevant today, as it was in 1958. Despite a few new varieties being discovered since then. I got mine for £50 hammer at the September 2016 DNW auction. The £50 being a reduction from the £60 lower estimate, by the auctioneer, as nobody else was interested. The buyer had written February 1967 as the date purchased, and above that, in pencil, is £5-12-6 as the retail price then operating. The book is so large and comprehensive, that in checking the price and date before posting on here, I started reading the section about Tayor restrikes. Really interesting stuff. Have you got one now, Chris?

Bill Pugsley?

Well no, but then collecting 1858 large and small date pennies, was never for the masses - and you did say "recent phenomenon". Word would soon have got round the numismatic community, even in pre internet days. So I reckon it's far more probable than not that a specialist pre 1860 penny collector, back in those days, would have been made aware of the two varieties quite quickly

Depends how you define "recent". Peck referred to small date 1858 specimens, over 60 years ago.

Thanks Ian - useful and valuable info as ever.

and a decent low price as well.

Exactly my thoughts. Just wanted to check. The date is full of gunge anyway.

1858 a/EF small date on offer by good old Coopers Coins for £70 - but what do you reckon? Over a 6, or not? Either way, not bad value. ***LINK TO COIN***

Great film, shot in colour at a time when they were mostly black and white. One of my John Huntley videos, "Steam on 35mm 1" features some great railway out takes shot on the Camerton branch of the now closed "Somerset & Dorset joint railway" in June/July 1952 when the film was being made. Superb scenery. They really caught some decent Summer weather as well. Interestingly, the Camerton branch had already closed in 1951, but the tracks were not lifted until 1958, so it was possible to use them for filming, without interfering with main line schedules.