Chris Perkins

I think that lots of variety people don't really include date variations as varieties, because they were often re-punched into different dies and with the highest mintage (although I expect most were dated 1853 as that's the most common date) it's to be expected that a number of dies were used. If the only differences are the date numerals then that's probably why no-one has gone into much detail with them.

A Fagthing Matron!! Followed by 'Ooo err' Frankie Howerd noises.... Slight bag marks on the head!!! Was it stored in a chainmail bag, thrown from hot air balloon and then run over by a steam-roller? Why don't the ebayers come to predecimal.com, if I had that coin I'd consider it rude asking any more than £1 for it.

You may be thinking of the British Numismatic society (of which I'm already a member). They have huge archives of printed material and produce the British Numismatic Journal.

I'm now a BNTA member! For those that don't know what that is, it's the British Numismatic Trade Association. Probably the most important association that a coin dealer can be a member of, as becoming a member is not as easy as paying 30 quid and filling in a form. You have to have a VAT number, have to be a dealer and have been dealing for at least 3 years and you have to be proposed and seconded by 2 existing members before the committee mull over your application, among other criteria. I've done it mainly for the extra credibility, to be able to display the logo everywhere and hopefully work on book projects involving the BNTA. This is their website: www.bnta.net

That's not really a coin, or a fake either. It's an item of jewellery made to represent a sovereign. On a real one the date is always under St George. It was probably made for use in that ring and it's probably made of gold, the same purity as the ring, which is probably 9ct.

I think the idea behind it was to commemoratie 50 years of peace after WWII, not to commiserate it, but I know the one you mean! Any less than perfect (which it is with scratches) then spend it at face value. It is still legal tender. Or simply keep it as an usual £2 coin.

Oh there he is, it's young Geordie!

Had you been a serious collector you would have steered clear of London Coins (and their hard sell tactics) long ago! But having just a passing interest is fine too. When the items are less than £5 you can't really go wrong can you. I'll see if I can change your user name later. I'm not sure if I can, or if I'll have to delete it and create a new one with the right name. I thought Geordie was our oldest member, but at 80 I think that must be you now!

Should be driven straight into the bin!

It won't appreciate to it's price of £9.95 in a million years! Steer clear of pretend coin dealers like the so-called London Mint.

I'd offer £500 for coin and box.

If they are not Uncirculated then the probability is that they are normal threepences. The Maundy issues were struck to prooflike quality and were rarely circulated so are usually GEF or better. It would be impossible to tell on a VF or lower coin, so you have to default it to non-Maundy.

Another friend of mine had a similar idea and even attracted a celebrity to sell their own stuff on it. He invited everyone he knew and sold a whole range of things himself, so did his dad. He even sponsored a football team. Advertised too, but after a few months it sort of fizzled out. And now I can't even remember the domain name, or I'd post a link! I don't want to put a dampner on your efforts Hus (I wish you luck), but I believe that it would take huge amounts of money, massive IT infrastructure (a whole army of Indians at least) and probably an existing household name to really compete with ebay. Even just to complete in a specialist sector like coins/collectable. Whatever happened to Yahoo auctions, why didn't that get bigger? Are they still going? I expect eBay simply bribe any potential real threats with cheaper advertising or something to keep them small or stop them from starting in online auctions.

I just offer my book range and some odds and sods. I gave up regularly selling higher value items there long ago (preferring to develop the website instead), I think probably when eBay bought Paypal. The other day they removed a listing because it had a link to another payment method (card payment via a link). They always say of course that Paypal is safest for buyers bla bla, but that's just propaganda to earn them more. All payment methods are only as trustworthy as the seller offering them. Lots and lots of people are fed up with eBay, but until a competitor of similar size develops with better customer service and real fairness, people will continue to list there.

Yes, had all those been negative, like they should be, then I'm sure he would have been kicked off ages ago! At least it means though, that no one was silly enough to pay that much for a crap coin.

I think I googled once and found a list of all the current commonwealth countries. I don't think all were 'Empire' and some 'Empire' countries did not become Commonwealth Countries or should be kicked out (has Zimbabwe been kicked out yet?). Not all recognise the Queen still as head of state. You could also ask Aidan, Geordie!

Someone must have done it to help battle their own confusion in 1968 with the new pence! I've never seen it, but it's clearly not an official stamp. An ingenious way to help you remember what the new coins are, but I don't think it gives it any more value than 10p.

Very few I'm afraid. I wanted to add some of each denomination at once, but I have my 2nd quarter 2008 tax return to do, so the rest will have to wait at the moment. By far the most interesting and plentiful were the range of pennies I had, mainly from one collection.

I've just listed about 100 pennies for sale: http://www.predecimal.com/british-coins-pe...c-51_32_40.html There are some nice copper ones there including a couple of rarities.

What an excellent choice of initial books!

I wonder how many Gouby has seen of each. I'll ask him next time I see him. (Michael Gouby is a coin dealer in London who specialises in pennies and has written or contributed to a number of books on the subject. Michael Freeman is sort of semi-retired now and doesn't do any research anymore).

An average circulated low tide 1895 penny would be worth about a fiver. These are also often called 'trident to 'P' 2 millimetres. Pretty rare even in worn conditions and usually easy to tell. Coinsgb is our very own Hus, who's a member here. The 9 in R9 doesn't mean there are 9 known. Perhaps that's where the confusion comes.

Freeman is the author of the book where the F169 number comes from. Normally only collectors with the book quote Freeman numbers so I assumed you had one! Wherever the info was about it being one of only 10 is not correct. The info about the N's I don't think applies when trying to tell the difference between F169 and the F168. The only differences are the reverses, common is type D and the F169 has type E. The differences are pretty small though (even on as new coins). The waves are more finely cut (impossible to tell after wear), as you know the 1 is right above a tooth and the exergue (the space containing the date) is slightly smaller, which is also impossible to tell when the edge has started melting into the coin.

In Freeman it's R9 which means that there are an estimated 7000 to 12000 in existence (as a very rough guide).

What it all boils down to (no matter what your opinion is) is if you can persuade someone to share your view and pay more than scrap metal value for the coin! It's interesting if you can prove it, but it's a very worn coin.....Very difficult to sell, collector's are so fussy. If you want to keep it, then fine if you are 100% what type it is!