Paddy

I think it is a proof then - it was the mirror-like surfaces that first caught my eye, although they never come through as well in the photos. The edge rim is also very sharp all round. It will go into my limited collection labelled as "Proof".

This penny turned up in amongst a random group of GB and foreign coins. It looks very much like a proof example to me - am I right? Are there any indicators, other than just the quality of the strike, that can confirm or deny this? There was a Halfpenny in the same group, which may also be proof, so they may both have come from a broken set. (Sadly none of the other coins of the set were present!)

I can't see it as a protest - the cuts would relate more to the king's bust if that was the intention. (Across the neck or defacing the features.) Maybe someone testing the hardness of a tool?

This one on the BBC today. Hoard of Celtic Gold and Silver found in the New Forest after the detectorists did some research on Google Earth to locate a possible Celtic building: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-59466710

Now there's a nice find: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-59151380

An update on the BBC website today: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-59414615

This website might also help: http://thefakepoundcoindatabase.co.uk/FLAX.html

They vary enormously. The wrong design for the date is often the biggest. Pics of the edge would be useful too as incorrect or blundered edge lettering is also common in the errors. Weight will usually be right. (If the forgers get that wrong the coin would fail any coin operated machine.) Colour is often odd and gets odder with age as it tarnishes differently from the real thing. Alignment may also be wrong - the genuine item is struck in one go so misaligned obverse and reverse would be almost impossible, but on the fakes, quite likely.

Yes - likely to be a forgery. Getting the wrong design for a date was common amongst the forgeries. A picture would confirm it.

I have had this one brought to me in the market. I think it is Edward I Voided Long Cross Class 6, but please let me know if I am wrong. I know it is not in great condition, but it is still of interest to the owner! I am struggling to make out the mint and moneyer - anyone tell me what I can't see?

That is good. I started with Henry III and had it down as Class 5h, but then the large almond shaped eyes diverted me to the Edward I coins. Thanks for the ID of moneyer - that helps a lot.

Seconded I'm afraid.

Sadly pictures not loading.

Reassuringly in "Sold" listings, none seem to make over about £25, and that is for a decent Uncirculated example, so the punters are not being taken in by this hype. I wonder if all the con-artists have got together and decided to "push 1921"?

They have charged commission on postage for quite a few years now. The legitimate reason is that people were dodging paying it by listing a valuable item at £0.99 and then charging £100s for postage. Having said that, I have given up with selling on Ebay - the last lot of rule changes, including requirement to give direct access to your bank account, proof of ID and VAT on international sales, were all too much for me. I have not started selling anywhere else yet, although others I know have gone to Etsy. (By the way, that platform is now inundated with fakes and just like Ebay they do nothing when these are reported.)

She never gives up, does she? I note this time she says the 1933 penny is "for free" - thereby giving her a get out if someone buys the lot and then claims it is fake. My blood boils...

Nothing scarce but a pleasing upgrade for me:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-58982457 Not just the American rarities, but look at the hammered gold too!

I won't even give that for them - I sell them on my market stall for 50p! I keep the tray of them there as much to persuade people that their coins are not valuable as to actually sell any. (They do go occasionally as souvenirs.)

Welcome to the forum! Any chance of a sharper picture, preferably cropped to just the coin, and also one of the other side?

Welcome to the forum! You have certainly jumped in with a very specific and knowledgeable query. I can't say I can help greatly as I have only one 1693 Half Crown and that has the blundered 3 in the date, so probably outside your remit. It appears to have no dot between HI and REX whichever side of the Crown. Herewith for interest:

Well I have just acquired this, which fits the criteria nicely. 1928 Cyprus 45 Piastre - same size as the British Crown:

I would have said "Dear Fagin" would be more appropriate.

Been a bit quiet here, so here is a penny I have just picked up. Not particularly scarce, but an upgrade for me. 1854 PT I believe: