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secret santa

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Posts posted by secret santa


  1. I'll just have one last say on the subject as someone with an obsolete Chemistry degree from the sixties. Acetone (dimethyl ketone) is an excellent organic solvent that efficiently dissolves all sorts of organic (carbon-based) matter, which is why it's used as nail varnish remover. When applied to a coin it will dissolve some of the dirt into a solution that must be wiped off, otherwise the acetone will simply and swiftly evaporate (its boiling point is below normal room temperature) and leave the dirt, possibly in a different place. The acetone will not react with the metal content of the coin.  Just putting acetone onto the coin and leaving it to evaporate will therefore not achieve anything. But it does aid the removal of surface matter which must be wiped off with a cotton bud or something soft. Rubbing the coin gently with a cotton bud soaked in acetone should remove much grime without scarring the surface. That's the science but everyone will have their beliefs and opinions which must be tolerated - that's life !!

    • Like 2

  2. I have a cheap Chinese digital scale (called Professional-Mini) and today I weighed a penny that I bought a while ago and was advertised as weighing 13.43 gm. However, on my scale it weighs 13.33 gm. Is this sort of difference to be expected on different scales or does this suggest that my scales may be inaccurate ? 

    Does anyone know what the most reliable (in terms of weight) modern coin could be used to test the accuracy of my scale ? I don't have anything of reliably known weight to my knowledge.


  3. 21 hours ago, bhx7 said:

    Here are some close ups of the date.

    Thanks all in advance.

    1874 H penny close ups.jpg

    It looks like Nj to me but remember that Michael has produced his book from pictures that collectors have sent him and there's no guarantee that between them he's captured every different combination of font and width that was ever produced. I expect that there are more "varieties" to be found and especially with his book prompting collectors to look more closely at their own specimens.

    • Like 1

  4. 19 minutes ago, PWA 1967 said:

    Is yours the same diameter please Richard.

    Also Prax have you weighed it mate ?.

    The diameter ,weight and composition are surely the attribution.

    I still think looking at the edge its copper,but the coin is bronze .....which would make me assume its not right ?.

    Unless a coin was struck on a blank around the same time with the same weight..........but i cant think or know  of one.

    Not another mention i can find anywere makes note of a sample or any pattern of this year.

     

    I am not the expert and find really interesting but have doubts.

     

    Pete.

    I will dig mine out and measure it and weigh it. It looks like bronze to me and I can't think that the mint had any copper blanks laying around in 1967 ?

    R


  5. Yes, it's a pity that Freeman decided to recognise the 1897 dot as a standalone variety, especially as he didn't uniquely categorise the notorious 1922 "reverse of 1927" or the 1946 "dot" (which he mentioned but did not categorise). Had he left the 1897 dot as a footnote, we'd have more consistency over these random blemishes, recognising them as accidents but still leaving people to collect them if they wish.

    • Like 1

  6. May I add my own thanks too, Prax. I find it fascinating to know some of the history of the great coins that come to market. It just adds to the joy of collecting. I remember the slender 3 going way beyond my budget and I never knew that an Unc open 3 was lurking behind the scenes. There are always more wonderful specimens to emerge and excite us all. Thanks again.

    • Like 2

  7. 2 hours ago, Nordle11 said:

    Then maybe? Perhaps if you're a regular too it helps? I'm not sure on the rules, while it doesn't say you can bid over the phone on the day, it also doesn't say you can't..

    I'm sure you can opt to bid by telephone on the day. I've been to many of their auctions and you can see Semra and others ringing bidders shortly before their lot comes up. You just run the risk that you might be in the loo when the key coin comes up. I've just checked their catalogues and while they don't explicitly describe an online telephone bidding process (perhaps they don't want to encourage people to do this as it would require extra staff), as I've said above, I have seen it happen on many occasions.

     

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