Mr T

I'd agree that it is double struck.

I've got the September 1973 Coin Monthly and there is an article by John Foan about the pennies of 1860 to 1894 which, from a quick skim, mostly appears to be Michael Freeman's research.

Ah thanks!

Besides sovereign rings/necklaces I've only seen someone wear a gold-painted sixpence necklace. Too bad about the damage done by attaching the loop as the detail on Britannia at least looks decent enough.

No I suppose not. Does he have a website?

Is it mentioned in any literature?

Probably depends on the coin, but grade and strike more than anything (well-struck VF minimum, unless it's something really rare). Being a completionist, rarity is irrelevant but if it's a coin I'm unlikely to see for sale again soon then I'd prioritise if over another purchase. Lustre and eye appeal are of little to no consequence - as long as the coin is of reasonable grade and generally problem-free.

Thanks Cliff - I was expecting it to be in Peck if anywhere but the author may well have been mistaken.

Does anyone know where these might be documented? In A Guide Book of English Coins by K.E. Bressett it says there are varieties in the number of leaves and acorns in the wreath but isn't specific in any way. The list at http://www.aboutfarthings.co.uk/Malta.html just documents wide/narrow dates. The list at http://www.michael-coins.co.uk/GBFractionFarthings.htm also mentions wide/narrow dates.

I'm honestly surprised by that. Maybe a change in regulations in India or something prompted it.

I have one too (ex Michael Freeman). Are both your Farthing mules with obverse 2? I believe there are mules with obverse 3? Colin lists it on his site, I've never seen one in hand or pictured. My example is an obverse 2. Here it is (very bottom of the page): http://www.colincooke.com/coin_pages/vbh2.html The picture isn't very big but the it does appear to be obverse 3 (the hair is wavier).

Thanks - found it now: http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/?page=Pastresults&auc=124&searchlot=838&searchtype=2

Nice. Didn't realise it was R20 but I guess it still is, even with the passage of a few decades.

I think there are only two but I'm not entirely clear on the matter and would like to know too.

I still get that feeling...

For me uncirculated is minimal bag marks etc and no obvious signs of use (i.e. no discolouration from rubbing). I think that anything that is poorly struck or has too many bagmarks should be graded as almost uncirculated, even if it is technically uncirculated as uncirculated coins really should look uncirculated in my opinion.

Haven't heard anything about one this year either but I highly doubt it would be discontinued this early - seems like it was well received in previous years. Maybe try contacting the Royal Mint?

The article was in the September 1984 Spink Numismatic Circular (which I don't have) but it concerns a 1927 half crown in gold and a 1922 florin in gold.

Thanks for the pictures Bernie! I think G.P. Dyer wrote an article on some of the silver coins struck in gold in the 1980s - can't remember what publication but maybe it has some information? I wouldn't be calling these hyper-varieties myself - I think even specimens of each in VG condition could still be correctly attributed, unlike some of the bun head varieties. Makes the George V pennies a bit more interesting anyway (and they also serve as a reminder of how impossible a complete penny set is).

Quite by chance I came across this article (the last article - fifth page from the bottom): http://www.britnumsoc.org/publications/Digital%20BNJ/pdfs/2006_BNJ_76_2_7.pdf It discusses a few varieties of reverse D.

Well mostly anyway - all the precious metal commemoratives would still be tested but I assume they are a small percentage of what the mint actually produces in terms of numbers.

Thanks Bernie! I feel like it's all starting to make some sense now. I might start digging through the London Coins archives and see if I can find it anyway.

There's this: https://www.httrack.com/ I remember playing with it years ago but I can't remember if it was any good - it still exists seven or eight years later so it can't be too bad anyway,

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was getting confused by it all! Anyway, hopefully Bernie might chip in as he seems know a bit of what's going on.

Just another thought - I assume Michael Marsh had a collection - was it ever auctioned?