Chris Perkins

A wee update: The forum software people have suggested I change the main admin password and the FTP access password as there are no known vulnerabilities with the version of the software I am using. They also suggested that maybe my host server (in Essex) has vulnerabilities. Passwords have been/are being changed and everything is being checked....

This morning (1 am UK time...I wasn't up!) I had an email from a user telling me that his antivirus software was reporting that the Predecimal.com forum was a malware threat! I checked and to me the forum was entirely text based and looked odd. Upon clicking on the text-topics I also had warnings about malware being detected (but blocked, so posing no risk). I asked my hosts and they confirmed that it did indeed look odd and that it had most likely been hacked somehow. So, what you're looking at now is a restored version of yesterday morning's forum directory! This means that anything posted in the last 24hrs (roughly) would have been lost, unfortunately. I have reported it to Invision, the forum software producer, but as it's weekend I'm not really expecting a lightening response. I've kept a copy of the hacked directory, so hopefully they can tell me what went wrong. I was running the newest version of the software. I'll leave it to run for the time being, but if members notice any strange goings-on, please email me and I'll have to take it offline and get the hole plugged up once and for all!

Ok, we'll see how it goes then. Have I eliminated all the spam that was kicking around? I can't find any more.

Ah, don't worry about it. All of your regular posts etc are all apreciated, even if I haven't read them all! TomGoodheart I'll make you a mod of everything. And I'll make sure Sylvester also has rights to delete anything spammy. It's quite straight forward, you will notice a new 'delete' button at the bottom right of each post. Apart from the first messages in topics that is...and when those are spam then you can just delete the whole topic via the 'Topic Moderation' drop down menu that will appear at the bottom-ish of the page. I don't think you'll be able to ban spammers though, so once you've seen them and deleted as much as possible (for repeat offenders) then just email me the name and I'll delete the account and ban the IP range. You may be able to delete the members! I don't know because I'm not sure exactly what you get to see as a mod. Have a play. Don't break anyting.

I've deleted the spam in the Rotographic area. I'll have to check the permissions there because it was originally for specific members only....perhaps it reverted to the default when the software was last updated. The Members only area is the only place where non members cannot even see the area. And only members can post, never guests (unfortunatly, as spammers put an end to that years ago). I updated the forum software a while ago but when the spammers are probably real people (underpaid Bangladeshis in Internet Cafes, or whatever) there isn't a lot that can be done. But spammers just spam, they do not in any way compromise the personal data/posts etc of any members...they post their links a few times hoping that search engines will pick them up, and then they go and most are never seen again because they're spamming elsewhere. I've recently bought a house here in Saxony which needs a lot of work and is taking up lots of time and money! Sorry for neglecting the forum lately. Who wants to be a mod? If any of you regular members usually check here every day, it's really very easy to zap spammers and keep an eye on things when I'm not around. It would be a big help at the moment.

I've got a few (and more since puting tha page together): http://www.predecimal.com/british_coin_forgeries4.php

With all the concern about fakes lately, some of you my find this interesting. It's a book for sale containing a selection of pictures of Victorian forgers. These characters were obviously doing it to defraud the public, rather than the collector: http://www.uniqueorrare.com/uor-1934.htm

I have no idea where mine are! From memory the bust was exactly the sme as that. I assumed that mine were simply replicas to sell to tourists or something along those lines, rather than intentionally deceptive. I'm no Greek expert though, so if someone that knows Greek coins well says that it's ok, then I'm sure it is.

Cast replica isn't it? I've got a couple of those somewhere. Origin unknown but they feel very light and the quality of the surfaces simply isn't up to how a real silver high relief Greek coin should look. From the images yours looks very rough too.

That's clearly a contemporary forgery in brass with the last tiny bits of silvering left over. If there's to be an area on forgeries then it should be reserved for modern copies that are dangerously realistic.

The 1887 sixpence is ok, probably worth around £5.00.

I've got 9 scrap grade pre 1920 half crowns. Want them?

Fair enough. None of those that you mention are the kinds of coins you find at boot sales!

My image is a scan, which is rubbish because the high relief bust doesn't lend itself to scanning. It is very much as struck with the odd trivial mark and delightful toning on the rev. I'm certain it isn't the DNW piece because it came with a collection from a chap that hasn't been active recently. Thanks for the info, I'll list it on the website for £950.00 after I've done better pictures. Unless you want it Rob, £850 to you - or any other forum member for that matter. As I write this I am also about to list the cartwheel 1d and 2d proofs that I mentioned in a previous topic.

The 2nd is a Russian 1 Kopek. 1st is a regional halfpenny token. It may reveal where from on the edge? If not, then it can probably be identified to a place/issuer by someone who knows that series well.

Does anybody have any recent auction/price data on these? This is plain edge, ESC401. Picture attached.....and I don't really know what I should ask for it.

I need a good (square-on) picture of both sides of that coin for the new Check Your Change. Can anyone help?

What? Where? The ebay listing linked to had been removed.

You're not Aidan Work are you? He talked a similar amount of complete tosh, also after starting proper and on the right sort of subject. Then he got abusive and all silly. JAG, I don't care how knowledgeable you may be on other subjects, you really do give the impression that you're not within the realms of what most consider normality. More importantly, you're annoying my members and that won't do. I hate censorship because usually when you let people with extreme or odd views rant and rave it just makes them look stupid (and often worse) and the rest of society places them in their metal loony bin before getting on with what they were doing! So, in order to prevent you looking a right plonker for any longer, I have done you the favour of banning you. You're welcome to email me and we'll discuss the matter further.

Don't speak to members like that please JAG. This is a very informal forum, we often wander from the subject. It appears that you're original subject (the set of Churchill medals) has long since 'expired'. So I'll have the last word here and will close this one. We'll all move on to other things (nicely).

Got a scanner? That can work well.

Did a time traveller borrow your hoover? You can upload a pic with the Attach This File button. It should be jpg and not too large.

And, if it's a 1953 coin it'll have the BRITT OMN titles in the legend around the Queen. Of course the weight and thickness will give it away as having been smoothed, or not. I suspect it's as Peter says.

Strictly speaking, it doesn't matter because if they did get lost (which is unlikely) the insurance wouldn't cover them as 'money' and as they are also a precious metal. Postal Insurance for items of value covers everything....but if you read the small print, it has a get out clause for most items, erm, of value! Send them recorded so that at least you have tracing capabilities. Email me and I'll give you an address in London: cp@predecimal.com

If it is a fake, it'll be a contemparary one. I have a few WmIII fakes in my collection.