Cliff

Whooops - cap in hand, I've misread and misunderstood my Gouby, for which I apologize. I was going off the two different hair lengths your two 1875s 'appear' to have and jumping the gun.

Isn't your new one, Britannia with the long neck hair, Gouby reverse J and your old one, with the short neck hair, reverse ja? I tend to get confused as the bottle empties!

twas me

Another view of the 1861 Y repair

In Maurice Bull's "English Silver Coinage since 1649" he shows the number of harp strings and billets per silver currency coin year/types in the "Varieties, comments etc" column of his description tables (eg 6s - 9b). The billet count ceased wef George 1 and was replaced by a hts count, whilst retaining the harp string count (eg 6s - 5hts) and continued through George II, after which they stop. Forgive my meanderings but what are hts's?

Smack on the button, thanks Rob. Plain as daylight now they're pointed out to me but it needed your expertise to open my eyes!

Tried that Mike and thumbed through my motley collection of books to no avail. Also tried the web for any heraldic clues etc but no go. I recall I had to do quite a bit of fumbling about a while ago to find out what a billet is.

Ah ah, got it Pete, thanks. I apologize to all for my confusion. Must think things through a bit more before opening my mouth .

Ian, Mike: Off on a tangent and maybe clear my head clear my head, isn't this a 2D, not a 1D as was originally offered (Obv beads toughing rim), F10?

Page 507 of Coincraft's 2000 Standard Catalogue of English and UK Coins lists a "5 over 3" with no mention of 45/45. From your excellent pics I'll join you in the 45/45 camp though.

I confess not being able to tell the difference BUT is Vickysilver's halfcrown a Hollow Neck (Old ESC 767, New ESC 3719)? If so, would that make any difference to the strike and composition?

I've started to have a look at halfcrown coins and realize that I'm at the bottom of a long steep learning curve if I'm going to continue. I recently purchased a 1671 VICESIMO TERTIO which I thought was ESC 468 (old). The more recent ESC 6th edition now classes this as ESC 457 and describes it as "No stop after HIB (7 - 10 strings)". My Irish Harp only has five strings, is this common or a variant? Your comments would be much appreciated. Cliff

Thanks Rob, much obliged.

Thanks Kev (and Madness for contribution).

What's SYO please? Had a go at looking it up but gave up at Sydney Youth Orchestra.

Hello Ian, apologies for not responding earlier, been involved with youngest granddaughter's school sports-day, then collection and a sleepover plus dropping her back with her parents earlier this morning. Doesn't sound much in the telling but ....... Confirm the pics arrived in all their glory, for which I thank you very much. I think they would be great as part of an up to date Copper Penny publication if ever "someone" with the knowledge, skill, inclination and time could be persuaded to do it?!?!?!? Thanks again for your help, much appreciated. Cliff

Thanks for all the info re my 1853PT Penny Ian. Would much appreciate a PM of the 8 variations you mention when you have a minute. I need to have another look at the few other 1853s I have.

Hello Ian. I've been following your recent very interesting posts with interest and would like to submit my 1853 PT Penny for your consideration which I bought from Colin Cooke as Unc GLus with "small spot on Obv field" in Oct 2003 (which puts it before your 5 year study?). I'm happy enough to give it P1504, Bramah 16 but I'm blowed if I can give it a Gouby date type with any confidence! Whilst seeming to fit Gouby date style C, the date width is too narrow. His date style C (?) does have the same date width as mine BUT, although the E of DEI has been repaired in both examples, my 3 does not appear to have been altered in any way. I will attempt to attach pics but I usually manage to cock it up. Any comments would be welcome.

Missing pictures now showing! Don't know when they reappeared but hoping they're still there when I get back home. Recall some mention of trouble with a (some?) off site storage facility that was withholding pics at that time, was that sorted?

For whatever reason I've only today received my April Coin News edition and would now like to congratulate (somewhat belatedly) David on his two articles re the 12 sided Pound coin. I envy your patience and eye for detail.

Thanks Dave, been looking forward to seeing this. Cliff

Thanks for the pics and the comment davidrj I have several other year examples and, whilst talking with PWA 1967 (Pete,) he tells me that every year between 1874 to 1894 have examples of this left of date LC feature. I've seen an article seemingly agreeing with your "glitch in the machinery" comment. It suggests the feature may be the result of rogue"hammer die machinery" being slightly out of alignment and an edge repeatedly hitting planchets in the exact same spot over the years. I'm trying to re-locate the article so that I can quote it more accurately and give the author due recognition. Cliff

Help please. Is the attached an example of Gouby 1883Bg (page 80 of his "The British Bronze Penny"? If not, would welcome your suggestions please. Thanls Cliff Will try and attach full side shots

Thanks Terry. Sorry about dinner plate sized pics, something gone adrift somewhere (suspect the "something" is me!). Cliff