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Our left-side brains are seduced by quantitative scales (such as Sheldon - the American system), as if they somehow represent greater certainty than qualitative grades (such as extra fine etc of the British system). This is a pure mirage, but a good one and it is what the PCGS and NGC make money from. A fine business model! In reality, all grading is qualitative - and all qualitative judgments are (to a degree) subjective and error prone. In my view, TPG provides a useful rule of thumb to purchase at a distance; no better nor worse than qualitative grading provided by a reputable auction house. Neither is a substitute for the expanded qualitative descriptions and exchange of observations as per the thread above. None of this is a substitute for the subjective feel of a coin in hand - preferably broken out of it’s slab with a hammer and victory dance.

Nice little win of a superb sixpence. Weak portrait but, to be fair, exaggerated in these auction images…actually much better in-hand…will try and post another image soon. I did try to look out the images of your 1573 @Rob because it worried me a little bit to find another little-worn acorn coin, but I couldn’t find them to compare the dies.

Yes they finally got this back on line. Still incomplete though so I'd keep my eyes on it.

FYI there are a few toy coins coming up for sale in The Coinery auction 16th February.

...my mate told me that I needed a boy to help me in the workshop, but so far I can't see any advantages....

This from the BBC website this morning. Interesting and very rare Viking penny from Athelstan II, formerly Guthrum, as King in East Anglia. Also discussion of the implementation of the new detectorist rules regarding items of National Significance. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg79e45341po Oh, and PS: For once the pictures of the coin are quite good!

Not the best macro shots from my phone, but a doable portrait…for me at least

Here you go. Both different dies. My reverse is over ermine as well.

From the collection: Obv: Small cross pattée with a pellet in each angle, "+CVNNETTI" around. Rev: "CNVT REX" around patriarchal cross, with a pellet in angles of the smaller cross Minted in the Viking Kingdom Of York c. 895-902. Double struck. Cameron