All Activity

But ... but ... I AM Spartacus!!

I tend to agree - photos can be most deceiving. I can show you graded MS 64 Brit coins that would absolutely KNOCK your socks off. In general a grade of 64 would certainly not be a VF in Brit standards. I agree the photo does not look good and an in-hand view would be necessary.

1860's French Franc Engraved and gilded engraved "Angelina"

more found whilst sorting out, Victorian 3 pence, engraved flowers..

And that would make me really cross , all that history down the drain Makes you want to not claim to be sparticus

I stand corrected, but there was a big change in the 1880s so in that sense my point stands. but

Your coin is not the "normal pairing" apparently (from those pictures), but shares the same pairing as the I over T - which suggests that more than one die was used for that pairing.

Crucifixions weren't done on a cross but on something that resembled a capital T !

It was often said if you took all the pieces of the true cross from around the med and you could build a boat out of them

Dead right Paddy. Anything for a quick buck.

Very interesting items! Not something I would collect, but definitely intriguing. I suspect when they were made unscrupulous dealers were rooking credulous pilgrims. Nothing has really changed!

I have recently acquired x3 "True Cross" Terracotta Pilgrim Tokens. They are reported to have been commissioned by Emperor Heraclius to commemorate the recovery of the True Cross from the Persians in C630 AD. It has been reported that a small piece of the True Cross was cut off and burnt, and the ash mixed with the Clay. Although this could be a good selling pitch at the time?? The two figures beneath the Cross are supposed to be Constantine and his Mother Helena. Other reports state they are Peter & Paul? The backs are plain. One is 18mm Dia. The other two are 15mm. The two smaller pieces both have an X over both arms of the Cross. All in VGC

Welcome to the forum Graham, it's a nice looking coin.

It's a halfcrown, not a florin. Florins weigh just over 11g, not 14.

Thank you paddy. I have seen similar ones from the Kushan Empire, (Tetradrachm) but not exactly like this one?? Still a mystery then.

1887 jubilee florin i just found an 1887 florin which I was going to put on eBay but I can’t find another one anywhere with the reverse side the same. It’s got a St George and the dragon between the date numerals and has a lot of extra design compared to others . Here are some images .. I can’t find any images or info online that describes this particular type. maybe you know about this ? I’ve attached some images

Not sure, but I don't think Indian. The writing appears to be using Roman letters but the style is crude for Roman Imperial. Maybe Roman provincial?

Can anyone help me ID this coin I have had for years please? Nearest I can get is Indian. 27mm Dia. 12.9g. Many thanks.

Would you agree in the attached image there is no crossbar? The question implies I dont think there is however I was asking simply for other's thoughts. The reason the image was cropped and rotated was to simplyfy the presentation of the letter and into correct orientation.

Yes there is a documented 1860 2+D variety BP1860JB V over inverted A.

Was not my intention to mislead, and for that I'm sorry. The coin is 1860 2+D.

I don't collect bronze, but I think in general, the rule is that the coin is not an error or variety unless there is convincing evidence supporting the claim. Otherwise, the number of imaginary errors / varieties would be huge. So if the letter is supposed to be a V, then it is just a V. The illusion of a crossbar (which is faint and unconvincing) can be caused by say a die crack for instance. If the letter is supposed to be an A, then it is just an A and the faint cross bar could be due to a partial die fill for instance. However, if the variety is documented for that specific coin type, then it is worth investigating more closely. But convincing evidence is still needed. It's like asking a doctor if a new rash is cancerous. They would say don't be silly as it can be caused by a variety of common things. But if someone has already been diagnosed with cancer and gets a bad rash, then the doctor would work on the assumption that it is related to the cancer if a rash is a possible symptom.

Hmm, yes the presentation of the photo was somewhat misleading. If it’s a V, then the default position is that it remains a V despite the photographic ambiguity. I did however examine the possibly unique 1860 ‘V over inverted A’ when it came up for sale a few years ago and thought it looked good under the loupe. So maybe worth a closer look under a microscope if it’s an 1860, probably not if later. Jerry

Sorry i thought from your original post you were looking at a picture and were asking the question as you DIDNT have the coin in hand. "Would you agree that the attached image has no crossbar" Yes i dont think a V has a crossbar 👍 Some people on the forum know why i look for coins everyday and flip for a profit, but dont feel as if i need to explain myself.

100% I just research what I come across and not search for anything in particular. Ofcourse il look for the recorded types, I will also look into anomalies. The coin from this post it was purchased directly, given how cheap it was, worth a look in hand. I know some of you flip coins for profit, I dont and the search, research, success and failures are all part of the fun. Its's not work in the sense of working for money, so as long as I'm enjoying the hobby not alot else matters.