Chris Perkins

Is it our friend with the shop in West London? I got a full set of them from him in order to do pictures for Check Your Change, before the error was known about.

That includes my one? I wonder if it were on the news or had anything near the exposure that the dateless 20p had, if another few hundred would turn up overnight (most of which would probably be people nicking photos or selling the normal one with misleading wording).

Anyone see the Dutch diplomat/politician Tiny Kox on the news recently? I thought it was an error, but he's a real man!

Technically the head gets worn first but the date is (annoyingly) the first thing to wear away completely.

I know it's ghastly, but you could have this one for £20: http://www.predecimal.com/florin-1905-goodvg-reduced-p-9197.html

Oh, it was something to do with her female house mate and I asked if she may be a lesbian and never heard from her again. I was just making conversation, it wouldn't have bothered me. Nice pussy by the way.

We did have a promiment female member here years ago, but I scared her away! These days I understand there is another regular female member, so in an effort to not scare her away, I wondered if she may like this. It's an engraved love token with the name MARY SHARROCK and date 1788. What is perhaps a little unusual is that it is engraved on a Parys mines (Anglessey Druid) penny, assumed to be of the same vintage. £10 plus postage.

It can of course be described as an Arabic '1' because it looks like that, but to me, that's not really what it is at all. It should be described as having an odd date with what appears to be altered 1 and 4 digits. Or words to that effect. Nothing more. The '4' is shifted in such a similar way that it's uncanny, even if it is 'messier' than the '1'. Is that an Arabic 4 over a Latin 4? No. The reason it isn't is because Latin and Arabic 4's have never played a part on British Coinage. Such varieties are not documented. Latin and Arabic 1's are known to exist and are well documented on certain coins, so based on that knowledge, that must mean it involves an Arabic 1 and it can't just be an alteration!? I just don't buy it. Get it re-slabbed and perhaps it'll become a non-serif '4' over a serif '4' next time round.

CGS can of course put what they like on the slab, and they can interpret things as they see them, but 'significant discovery' seems a bit far fetched. It does indeed look like an inverted '1', but so does the die crack on the 2008 20p and that doesn't mean it is one either! It's from re-touching, nothing more. And shame on CGS/London Coins for implying it to be something that it almost certainly isn't. They do worry me sometimes, on a lot of levels. What's worse is that these things end up in slabs with descriptions that are accepted as gospel and that's the worrying thing about slabs and certification (let's not get into all that though) especially slabbing and certification by the same company that then benefits from selling the same coins down the line via auction. Does that situation or a similar one occur anywhere else in the world or in any other industry or field of collecting? I doubt it. It's a conflict of interests at the very least. It's a nice coin so I hope it cost about the right price for what it is. I don't mean to rain on your parade, but to me it just doesn't really look that unusual or special. I'd be interested to hear what others think.

Bit of a coincendence that the '4' is also odd and looks very similar. Something is clearly awry with the date (re-punching going on etc), but I'd never go so far as to call it a small arabic 1 over a normal Latin 1! That just sounds like they've invented a variety that isn't one, in order to sell it for more.

A fake. I've also seen wrong dates on fake Victorian sovereigns. I think they may have been made for trade use in Arabic countries and/or other parts of the world. They are usually good gold, but not as fine as 22ct. On the other hand, it could be modern and Chinese and not made of gold at all!

There was one a couple of months ago, but nothing came of it. The git sold it before I had a chance to go round!

Nope, fraid not. I did all of the larger silver last time.

I sold one or two of the last batch to a forum member, but generally it is a rather poor show so far!

A waxy deposit of some kind. I've ever so carefully removed it as best as possible. There is a slight stain, but the surface is absolutely unaffected.

I've just popped some new coins onto the website. Mostly copper, with a couple of silver things including a lovely 1878 Maundy set. The highlight of the copper is an 1831 Bronzed proof penny (1831 proof farthing also present). Penny is here: http://www.predecimal.com/penny-1831-bronzed-proof-p-20065.html And all the latest editions can always been seen from here: http://www.predecimal.com/products_new.php I do hope you gentlemen were not entirely bombarded by proposals of marriage on this February 29th!

Ok, yes here it is: http://www.predecimal.com/lindner-digital-microscope-lindner-7155-p-18576.html I'll get one in.

And what's the product number of that? I'll test it too!

Yup. You know what, on this occasion I'm the worst advertisement for the products I sell on my website. I actually sent it back. It's all very well but it simply doesn't offer a massive advantage over a decent camera, at least not on coins especially when you have to rub it all over them. Perhaps it's excellent for stamps, banknotes and other collectables.

I think it would have to be in bigger chunks than that!

Again, a fairly common thing...re-touched/struck digits when the dies start wearing out. Only strikingly obvious totally wonky ones may cause a little ripple of interest (but not always).

I'm not heard anything from my solicitor (with whom they are communicating). I called today but couldn't get hold of him.

It certainly does in my part of the world . I'd like the money via Western Union please, to my St Petersberg address.

Ace, thanks Mr Goodheart!

An Australian friend has been offered a British pattern One Cent 'SMITH ON DECIMAL CURRENCY' issued by J Moore and dated 1846. It's Peck 2086 and is slabbed PCGS PF63RB. I've seen these and similar coins before and I know they can be hit and miss! Anyone know what these cents sell for? Thanks.