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As the title says

yes they are best collected as type sets - too expensive otherwise

I think the same exercise has been performed for all 3 Ns. They are of similar style and both appear to be a composite letter made from 2 Vs, one upright, the other inverted. Many letters were composite at this time. I would say not an error, just a reflection on contemporary engraving and limitations. Advances were made in the following decade, such as the shilling E3 bust punch which was the first one punch bust, previously all having been made from separate crown, head and chest punches.

Bloody lovely ......not sure that's a grade though.

Picked up this 1874 this week F73 with 7 over 7

Post decimal coins are going to be an OCD nightmare for collectors in future generations... tourettes will ID numismatists.

Got to say I quite like the look of the proof

1861 Halfpenny are they having a laugh.🤣https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Great-Britain-Queen-Victoria-1861-Half-Penny-Halfpenny-1-2d-UNC-good-Lustre-LCW/163073460851?hash=item25f7ef8a73:g:frsAAOSwiHZbDx3f

Presumably marginally more gullible than people who buy the genuine coin?

In my view, "very high grade" simply imply that you need to grade the coin yourself. It is a very popular phrase because it means different things to different people and the seller cannot get into trouble for using it. For me, I might think that MS65 onward are very high grades for a Old Head florin. I haven't got an example yet but will only consider getting one that is UNC or very near UNC. Another might reasonably argue that the coin concerned, VF/GVF, is indeed a very high grade when compared to the large number of worn specimens around. I totally agree with Mike regarding the photos. Generally speaking, I think "very high grade" for Victorian coins usually mean it is less than EF.

I think you've got a point with the "very high grade". This guy is an experienced seller of coins and should be able to offer a realistic actual grade such as VF/NEF, in his opinion, whilst allowing those interested to make up their own minds. Also, the fact he doesn't accept returns, is telling. The photography isn't ace, but it's not that bad either - certainly enough to see that the obverse especially is not "very high grade". With that said, I definitely wouldn't give him a negative. I'd take the hit knowing it was poor decision making on my part - "caveat emptor". Been disappointed several times myself, but ultimately know that really, I should have realised before I jumped in and bought. I'd give him a less than ringing endorsement positive, such as "prompt delivery, coin well packed". Something of that nature. He'll get the message.

No, but impex transactions may give rise to a tax liability, so it is simply ensuring that taxable goods are accounted for. Without any paperwork, anybody could claim an item was their property originally and avoid paying any taxes due. Yes it is ball-ache for the individual, but for a business, the directors have a legal responsibility to trade within the law. Any business transaction has tax implications. The paperwork is just recognition of the fact that not everyone has a moral compass, plus it simplifies the aggregation of data for financial transfers between countries via the banking system. It would be impossible to operate if all the info was only held individually.

I suggest locking them in a large warehouse with a good selection of the thousands of people they inconvenienced. I think they would happily take 5 years in gaol instead of that!