Rob

Thinking out loud, I wonder if this went hand in hand with the reduction in force used for striking coins during the war years in an attempt to make the dies last longer? The less metal displacement there is, the less force would be required (i.e more efficient to operate), and it is clear from the ghosting seen that metal displacement was considerable, so a recessed ear would produce a better struck up coin for less work done.

That's the point I was making. I wouldn't have bought a coin in F to VF that I knew was available in UNC either, but the complete lack of interest suggests that the number of serious variety collectors is unlikely to be much greater than the number of top grade coins available. It's a small world.

But recessed ears appear to only be collectable in high grade and to penny afficionados. People who just want an example of that year tend not to be interested. Thinking they would have some appeal, I put a pair of recessed ears, both a 1915 & a 1916 in F-VF on for a month (relisted twice and starting for a quid) early on last year and nobody was watching, let alone bidding on them. I eventually stuck them in the melt pile. I think the market for specialist varieties is more rarified than people might think, whatever the denomination or period. Unless it is unbelievably rare, or the vendor is lucky enough to get two specialists chasing a difficult variety, most things seem to languish and maybe sell for a quid, or opening price.

We are looking at a period when popular culture propelled many more 'celebrities' into the public eye than existed previously. The 60's saw a huge rise in popular culture combined with greater spending power to follow bands and buy their records. Large festivals made their appearance too towards the end of the decade. All these people are now at the age when they are dying off, but their fame is ensured by the baby boomer generation who had so much disposable compared to before or afterwards. Those that died very young such as George Michael are essentially outlying data points. The majority are statistically right where you would expect to find them. I think next year will see similar numbers to this year because most of the celebs are still there.

If you can find me unc 1837s at £500-600 each, I'll take as many as you can find. I'll even drive over to pick them up.

Possibly a smaller font 7 on the bottom of the last pile, but struggling with the third numbers.

He does come from Rotherham

Who's that and what was it? Somewhere I have a picture of a sign saying BE WARE OF DOG'S in three lines with a reversed S for the legend variety collectors amongst you. That was in Ireland in the late 70s

True, there will be more than one grocer, but it would be wrong to tar all grocers with the same brush. However, there is only one Fanny Craddock in this instance.

The correct application of the apostrophe leaves one in no doubt as to the meaning. That is why the (seemingly obligatory) use of the grocer's apostrophe is fraught with problems.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Does anybody remember the 11-14th century medieval penny/denier/whatever with the large flat based crown, facing bust and hair which looks like a Christmas tree either side, ie triangular with a pot at the bottom representing curls - it is quite distinctive. Where was it issued and by whom? I can't find a picture of it to show. Thanks.

Quite a few differences there. The rims on the right look thicker. The beads on the right look smaller, but that might be an optical illusion. The left hand side of the 1 is in better agreement on the two reverses in relation to the border bead and central vertical of the portcullis than the right hand side of the 1 which appears to be aligned with the right hand side of the central portcullis vertical on the second coin, but nearly in the middle of the gap on the first coin. The position of the border beads to the design detail is different. Is there a difference in the number of beads? If you drop a vertical from the outside of the terminal ring, the relative position and possibly number count vary by a midge's. Is the right hand side a filled die given the somewhat uneven surfaces?

10 minutes ago it felt like we ought to be under 2 feet of water here too. Absolutely throwing it down with strong winds. Good job I went out early doors to get the shopping etc

I thought 1980 because I have never seen a 1979 frosted proof. Also, the reverse is less easily seen to be frosted whereas the bust is a nice big expanse of relief detail, so maybe the reverses were frosted and the obverses not before this time.

1980

That's because they have all been worn flat long ago. Rather worryingly, it appears to have been lovingly cared for during the past 70 or 80 years. I know a nice man with a large pot who would love to get his hands on that..................and he'd pay you for it.

It is just a natural progression in the life of the die. i.e quite normal.

Some errors attach a premium, but they usually ahve to be spectacular. This shouldn't make any difference, though eBay sellers might disagree

There are a lot of silver patterns with mintages in single figures or low double figures

It's also good for the balance of payments. HMG doing their bit to reduce the rediculous size of our trade deficit. If people stopped wasting insane amounts of money on imported expensive depreciating liabilities such as cars, it would go a long way to sorting our deficit.

I've got one I don't want which I am prepared to offload - for a fee.

You're not the only one.

Double punched D from what I can see,

Yep. If it is the lowest grade possible, it will command a premium. From a personal point of view, I would be interested in how the TPG determines it is due to genuine wear and not tampered with/environmentally damaged/excessively scratched etc. I suspect the with the exception of corrosion, they will be unable to differentiate, so, for those washers capable of commanding a premium to the cost of slabbing and the intrinsic value of the scrap metal - use human stupidity to your advantage and fill yer boots.