Rob

Good for a bottom fisher though. An 1839 halfpenny in acceptable grade would set you back £400 minimum these days.

39 is a proof only year for the halfpenny and penny. Only coppers struck were farthings et infra for this year.

Right, a challenge - time to put up or shut up. You give me £3K and I will give you an Aquatics error 50p. That's completely straight and above board.

An article on eBay on how to evaluate Richard III coins, published by eBay. Presumably this is where Saxbys learned his trade. Maybe if they published an article on Edward I, or Henry III coins, he would be able to list under these rulers too. Nah, maybe not.

Interesting sale of Bitcoins. A virtual currency that can apparently be collected in person.

Made it more difficult for the counterfeiters

Sovereigns are 22mm diameter. Half sovereigns are 19mm diameter and half the weight. i.e.4g. Yours is a half sovereign if it agrees with these dimensions. Whatever, in that grade it will only have bullion value. It isn't a rare year, so unlikely to be counterfeited.

I suspect the aquatics error was never released for currency as all the examples I have come across are in the sealed packs issued by the mint and the error was picked up early on. This would mean that any examples found in change would have to be from a dismembered presentaion pack. i.e. you would have to be extremely lucky to find one.

Typical press article. If it was in your pocket it would be unlikely to retain its value, as it would wear progressively with time. Any £3K coin would likely be sat in a cabinet with the owner fully aware of what he/she has.

I concur. The reverse is definitely better than the obverse, which looks a bit water-worn IMO

Some are, some aren't. The original post was about a unique piece. Charles I unites and triples are not rare, nor are the Cromwell broads particularly so. The crowns et infra are common, but obviously desirable. The pricing on these is too high in my opinion, but as long as the number of collectors holds up there is not likely to be a drop in the foreseeable future. Cromwell 50/- pieces are a bit more exclusive as there are only 15(?) known, one of which is horrible and repaired, but the other 14 are ok.

No. Gun money is only listed in the Irish references. Numbers you can probably count on one hand, 1 or 2 gold, maybe a few more for the silver.

Best bet is Ryan, Lockett, Mitchell, Waite Sanderson, Whetmore, Norweb, and any of the large gold collections in the past 30 years. Sorry, I don't follow gun money.

And the illustrations.

I should have said that if you don't have any joy in Montagu, then move onto Murdoch. Part IV had both the Montagu shillings plus a crown and halfcrown. Unfortunately all were bought by dealers (Spink and Whelan). Lots 62 - 65 refer.

If uncertain, always start with Montagu assuming it is in the time period. Part IV lots 282 and 283 were large and small shillings struck in gold, but I have no idea where they went or even if they are still outside a museum. They weren't illustrated.

Baldwins 48 lot 5023 (26/9/2006). It is scratched now as it was stolen and subsequently recovered.

which reference were you looking at

I hae trickled out the surplus over the years. I even have a handful left to go, but if I was to sell the collection I would then have to start again. I don't believe I could reassemble it in either a reasonable timeframe or in suitable quality. The last 5 or 6 years have been very difficult to find things to add at reasonable prices.

Anglo-Saxon has been under a bit of pressure due to the quantities being found. If you are digging up say two dozen Offa pennies every year, this has to impact on the prices - which is one where there has been a softening of prices.

Much easier to deal if you don't collect, or at least only a very restricted period

It makes you wonder how dealers survive then...... It's hard work if it is your only job

OK, I'll rephrase it. It wasn't £275 special. It wasn't completely round and crisply struck, nor is it virtually unobtainable.

I didn't get the one I wanted - the H8 sovereign penny with the trefoil mark. Opened at 200 which is about 275 delivered, so too much.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WILLIAM1-PENNY-EXCELLENT-REPLICA-FROM-ORIGINAL-COIN-/351396038830?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item51d0d608ae Well, maybe not.