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Members may also know that in addition to this large rose reverse which is paired with the strange overdate obverse, there is also a second re-cut large rose reverse variety (different die) which is paired with a small date obverse (pictures attached for information). This small date variety to my knowledge always displays the die crack though numeral 5 and, on the reverse, has the ghosting above Britannia’s right hand, and a single mark below left knee. Also note the slanted colon after DEF, which is the type given by MG on his website as CP1858F…..for those of you perhaps seeking this rare variety:- http://www.michael-coins.co.uk/cp1858DEF.htm

You're welcome DrLarry, somehow I knew that YOU would like it

Video may be of interest, hope so. I had a Firefly, now expired, was comparable with a Dino-Lite. Looking to purchase a new one. Might try one of these.

There is circumstantial evidence for the 1839 proofs being issued up to the early 1880s because ESC 3249 (1738) is a 3rd young head sixpence with an 1839 reverse. The third young head was introduced in 1880. However, the mint equipment was upgraded in 1882 when the old Boulton & Watt presses were replaced. It's only conjecture, but there may have been a few sets of 1839 proofs issued prior to the refurbishment when the old dies may have become redundant - not being compatible with the new equipment? If so, the number made could possibly equal the number of these anomalous sixpences extant. ESC rates them as R5 (5-10 known), which is feasible. In terms of the penny, it is therefore likely that 1839 dies were always available. The halfpenny proof die was replaced on at least 2 occasions, with both 39 over 41 & 39 over 43 known.

As well as a 9 I think there was a 7 under there once as there is a pointy bit out of the top right of the 8. I suspect this die might have been recut more than once?

Small rose Pete.

Now, with my anorak on, I did capture ebay images of every 1841 to 1860/59 penny listed on ebay, every day for a full 5 years. I am gradually compiling stats on varieties, but have yet to do this for the 1858 large rose pieces. These images were captured before the large rose variety started to become better known by collectors (i.e. after London Coins sold one in Fine 35 for £600 hammer at their June 2012 auction) so I think when I get round to doing these stats they will reflect the full population quite well. My memory is that there were around a half dozen of each of the two types sold on ebay in 5 years, and that none of them was advertised as such!

An explanation of it being a 9 was given on this forum link by Michael Gouby back in 2009. Scroll down to last text:- http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=712566&STARTPAGE=1 Whilst I don't have an electron microscope (did actually use one on Apollo moon samples) this is the best picture I have of this overdate using my digital 140x

Mike Vosper has added the siege piece replica seller to his hall of shame. I thought seeing as he's making a habit of selling them I'd get his details put on the rogues gallery so to speak.

It's most certainly a fake. I posted that one up on Sunday. He's previously sold a fake Newark siege coin also. It seems to a common theme now for some people to be selling fakes as well as geniune coins. It seems to confuse "some" people into thinking they are a safe and trustworthy seller. That coins the same as the rest with the fake toning sprayed on. They are so easy to spot with or without the toning. They are being made by Dorchesters. If you look at there example on their website you can see the same mark below the 6. http://dorchesters.com/charles-i-pontefract-siege-shilling-lozenge?filter_name=Pontefract&filter_description=true

I think as soon as you mention "Pontefract Siege Piece" in the same paragraph as field_walker you know what the answer is going to be! It is not my area but there do appear to be casting bubbles in the pictures. To add to what Rob has said, these things used to be mega-rare, and now they turn up all the time. To me that can only mean one thing - they are being produced to fill the demand in the market. I would not buy one on Ebay at all - and I would want to have a lot of provenance before I bought from a good auction house.

Having gone to the effort of looking up the prices in Spink for a Fine and VF Pontefract, you don't then list a VF example at a third of the fine price. Any auction house would give a better return than that, unless of course you know it isn't the real deal, in which place eBay is the best place to go to marry up the deceitful with the ignorant.