1949threepence

Yes, I think there has to be a lot of truth in that. i'd also agree that the period 1858 to 1863 is worth a book in itself. Incidentally, high time we had a new book on pre 1860 copper, including the top quality pics that are easily available today. Can't quite understand why we've had several on post 1860 bronze, but none the other way. Maybe it's a period which never quite captured the numismatic imagination.

Plus some very rare coins are literally an impossibility (up to known current specimens) to get above fine, let alone high grade. Such as the F90 and F169.

Bruce, you might find this information from Michael Gouby, quite useful. In it, he discusses the 1858's at some length, including the variety accepted in some quarters as an 1858/3. However, he does not believe it to be so. Speaking personally, as we definitely don't know what it is, I don't think we can rule out that it might be an 1858/3.

100% agreed.

Having now completed my Victoria copper penny series (with the exception of the Medusa and 1858 large rose, small date), this is how difficult I've found the difficult dates/varieties (a matter of availability rather than money):- 1839 proof - kept eluding me. Very difficult and the ones that did show up, very pricey. Had to eventually take the price plunge, otherwise I'd wait forever. Although if I'd waited, there's 2 at the upcoming Australian Noble auction. 1841 colon after REG: Scarce in mid grade. Very difficult in high grade. 1843 (all types) very difficult in high grade. No opportunity so far for anything above VF. Only sub fine for no colon after REG. 1845 - scarce at all levels. Finally got a decent one very recently (Interesting that although 1844 is technically, roughly the same as 1845 in terms of scarcity, there always seems to be 1844's on offer, but very few 1845's) 1847 Medusa: only saw the one on offer by Coopers Coins. Didn't buy for reasons now forgotten. 1849: A few available in the low to mid grades, but the high grade ones are excessively rare. I was extremely lucky with the one I got. Other than that I've seen an EF specimen, and the aUNC Waterbird example. 1853 PT: have to say, very rare, especially in high grade. I'm convinced Keith Bayford made a mistake offering a GEF example for just £125 1853 PT italic date: you just have to jump if you are lucky enough to see one. The fine example I bought from John (Stephen) Jerrams was sold as a PT specimen only. He didn't mention the italic date. 1854/3 - the real deal ones are extremely rare, and even more difficult in grades above fine. 1854 no colons - again very rare. Seen two, although probably a few unattributed ones have gone under the radar. 1856 OT - managed to obtain a fine example, and that's it. Dave Craddock did have an a/UNC with lustre specimen on offer for £1600 about a year back, but not surprisingly, by the time I called him, it had already gone. Excessively rare for availability at any grade. 1858 large rose large date: not seen one yet. 1860/59 - not as desperately rare as I'd feared, and did get an EF specimen with slight residual lustre.

Nearly all Heatons. The book is based on them. It's a good read, although the latter two thirds I've not really bothered with as it's all about the Heaton coinage issues, most of which are foreign. The book is "A numismatic history of the the Birmingham Mint" by James O' Sweeny, published in 1981, by - would you believe - The Birmingham Mint !!! Although printed by Pardy & Son of Ringwood, Hants.

I've bought two books from Rob. The first was a re-bound auctioneer's copy of the 1854 Cuff auction, and the other was quite recently. A book about the Birmingham Mint, which was from the collection of the late David Roberts-Jones, which Rob was disposing of.

Thanks for solving the mystery, Jerry. I assume it was Bruce I was speaking to. He sounded a little hesitant when speaking, but was keen to add me to his mailing list.

The more I think about it, the more suspicious I am. Somebody with his experience is going to know exactly what it is, and won't be letting it go for such a low price. Something a bit fishy here, but not sure what.

Well, just scrolling through July's Coin News, which arrived earlier today, and noticed that "Goulbourn Collection Ltd" were offering an 1863 slender three penny, in Fair to NF, for £250. Intrigued, and a little sceptical, I called and the guy told me that (unsurprisingly) it had already gone. I asked if it was the real deal as in my view £250 for a slender date 3 is a ridiculously small amount, given they are vanishingly rare. He told me it definitely was. "A little manky" he said, but a surefire slender 3. Would have been interested to see a pic.

Unfortunately you will get cat haters and those who regard them as a nuisance, in every country. But generally speaking the public attitude to cats in Greece, is exactly the same as in Turkey. Hence well fed colonies in their towns and cities. Probably the main difference between the two countries is down to the fact that in Turkey, cats are more protected by law - link .

Exactly like the Greeks read and learn

Not many collectors get every last variety of their specialism, Bruce. Even if they have the money, very often the very rare type they want just doesn't come up for sale. You can literally wait decades in some cases. Or they might lose at auction. But of course, the missing pieces remain an aspiration, which is half the fun of coin collecting.

If anybody has visited Istanbul, they'll be aware of the street cats. Thousands of them living independently on the streets and all look in great shape. Nearly all tame and often run up to you meowing for food. The locals feed the colonies and many of them have erected cat houses for shelter, in their gardens. There are even vending machines for cat food. Turkey may have its shortcomings , but I love the fact they take such care of their cats in Istanbul.