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I have long had a theory than both IT and collecting (along with certain brain focused games such as Chess and Bridge) are particularly attractive to people with a low level (often undiagnosed) autism. The need for high focus of concentration, attention to detail and retention of large amounts of data seem to work together.

Or collectors who are not digitally savvy, have never found this forum.

I have never been diagnosed as such but have come to same conclusion for myself over a number of years. I thinks some indicators: - get on better with things than with people, even get emotionally attached to inanimate objects more than people. - able to focus intently on mental games for hours, but get bored quickly making idle chatter with people - Love "ticking the boxes" collecting and filling gaps in a collection. Love sequences, similarities and differences in a collection - can remember facts about things - periodic table, history, coins etc - with no difficulty but forget people's names in an instant. - find "unfinished business" intensely bothersome. - have to focus to be understanding and tolerant of other people's faults, but can't see the problem with my own! Anyone else tick a few of those boxes? 😁

No......Keep going there is nothing else happening 😄

*Madness raises his hand and then quietly whispers that he suspected something similar* I wasn't diagnosed until I was 41.

yes I agree I am not sure what trials they put the sequence through with the children in the autistic society I remember them saying that it had been prepared with the support groups involvement but as you say these things can give us a snap shot of understanding

yes indeed and I am sure you have pointed it out to your significant other I hope it sings a good song .....perhaps a wren ...careful you dont start seeing wrens on coins !!!

the spectrum is broad and it's manifestations very variable I know a number of autistic kids with dyspraxia, sauvents, who do not always suffer the same overwhelming sensory overload. It is the definition which the fault here in that some have and some do not have these upsetting characteristics for you and your nephew, I think when searching for mental health descriptions so many are in the dark.

I did see one of your lion heads very clearly - however I also accept that it was 99% likely to just be a coincidence of pattern that caused the face recognition part of the brain to kick in.

May I dip a tentative toe into the controversial autism waters? I think - and this is only a theory based on autistic characteristics - that 'completists', i.e. collectors of date runs and every known variety, are possibly more 'on the spectrum' than type collectors? Of course, the other connection between coins and IT is that if you get bored, you can always switch off, then switch back on again in the future.

no the genie can get back in the bottle. I invoke myself LOL

I want this one @jelida. Think you could get it for me for 200 GBP? 😉 Source: Upcoming DNW Auction Seriously I'm interested in this lot as it has a few coins I'm after and gives me exposure to coins from different eras and different denominations. What do you think? Edit: Actually the cartwheel penny is in crap condition. Any comments on the others?

Thanks @Madness - Joe's 'Steppin' Out' is one of my favourite 80s singles.

What has to be remembered is that this pattern started to form in my mind under a specific set of circumstances. I was , at this time , using coins as a vehicle to get my braIN WORKING again in a post chemotherapy haze. My brain had become dysfunctional and was no doubt very fluid. At this time over a period of two years or so I had very little interaction with other people. In the process of using the coins under the microscope it may well be that the normal process of pareidolia were replacing this pattern which I was constructing over and over again with the "normal" pattern which would be facial recognition. I re-enforced this by drawing the images and making interpretations which may have again made the pattern stronger "in my mind". So it is possible that it has established a neurological pattern in the part of the brain involved in facial recognition and hence I see it quite clearly even without the microscope now and the pattern complexity derived from my previous ability to recognise patterns as part of my work. It may well be that my brain has now been re-wired, this I would accept is a distinct possibility. I have no desire to be controversial I simply set out to describe a phenomena I was recording every day. If this is the case and I accept that it may be the explanation then my mind has created an extremely bizarre association or sets of association and I haven't a clue from where it gathered this information as I have no affiliation with this devices themes. In doing what it does I have created a three dimensional projection which has rotational symmetry and a complex interweave. In seeking the simplest answer , that the pattern exists in the coins as I was taught to do as a scientist I relied on collecting date empirically trying to make sense of anomalies in the designs on coins as I have mentioned in other postings, (Britannias Hand and the lost design elements; understanding flaws in the bronze series) all of which seemed to indicate two possibilities "in my mind" either alterations to the dies or a repeat pattern which is the topic of this thread. It may well be that I have a neurological disorder now brought on by looking too hard and trying to make sense if this is the case then it is in itself interesting only to me. What it has given me however is an innate ability to spontaneously create patterns in nature and use this in art and if nothing else it has turned me into a computer that translates pattern into form for which I suppose I should be eternally grateful.

Reading about numismatics is fun. Macquarie University in Sydney has a Centre for Ancient Numismatics, but only for those who already have an appropriate undrgrad degree. I don't think a music degree counts, but the contemplation of a Bachelor of Ancient History is intriguing. Studied two semesters of beginner's Ancient Greek (language) at Melbourne Uni about 25 years ago and then a couple of years of Koine Greek. I've forgotten most of it, but this should help me gain entry. Hmm.... food for thought. They offer the course externally as well as on campus. Would keep the old grey matter ticking over rather than sitting at home staring at the ceiling.