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I think the left's reaction to the Thatcher years was a whinge in the realisation that the cozy life in the union-run country of the 1970s was disappearing in a puff of smoke. People complain about Thatcher in the 80s, but what about the 70s where a walkout was determined by a show of hands. The example where Derek Robinson shut Longbridge with a clearly small minority favouring a strike - yet the vote was deemed to be passed, that and similar actions set the seeds of Thatcherism because it was clear the country was in danger of being run by the unions. From my own experience, I was given a warning for working too hard when at the post office after graduation. I was told in no uncertain terms that it took 10 minutes to load this van, 20 for that, 45 for another. And the funereal pace of the mail bag folding area would have embarrassed even the most lethargic, with a rate of 2 per minute, the bags neatly folded with such perfection that it would have put many a laundry to shame. They could have relieved the boredom by doing a bag every 15 seconds, but that was the agreed rate. Only available to permanent staff, the list of people putting their name down for this jolly was lengthy. That was my life in the 70s, and I didn't like it either. It is the difference in view of work ethics that explains this country's lack of productivity when compared with other developed nations. Ultimately, nothing happens in isolation.

My mistake. I usually welcome criticism from people such as yourself anyway as it shows errors in my thinking concerning a subject about which I know very little.

There was no criticism! Shall we leave this here?

Haymarking. Probably flecks of oxidised copper from insufficiently mixed metal. Copper is the metal usually added to get the correct silver fineness. Copper (II) oxide is black.

Spotting that it is the only example in a database of 500 sounds pretty good research to me! And a good buy for 100 Euro I would say, whether or not it currently attracts a premium, it probably will when you have finally published your study. Jerry

I think I recognise the style - I have some silver "jubilee" plaques of Liz dated 1978 with the legend VIVAT REGINA. Same designer perhaps, maybe same private mint?

Yes, I saw that on Numisbids, but a few hours after the auction! Correctly described, but wonderfully cheap! Well done, I wondered if it would find its way back to the UK. Jerry

Excellent catch...... Congratulations......

Got a nice 1862 F39A last week. Fantastic condition but cleaned - pity but it was cheap.

Yes, the Gothic v looks rather like a b when worn sufficiently.

Damn - sold out! Well, that's saved me £550.

Made by Skoda

not Yet..

Heard this on the radio today - never heard it before - what a superb instrumental. From 1962, The Shadows, Wonderful Land:-