VickySilver

Ok, probably not exciting but here is a 1964 penny. Notice anything?

And don't forget the really hard times which she saw us through in the 20 years after the war and the doldrums of the 80s when it seemed the whole place was headed for the dumpster. Quiet strength and dignity meant a lot and still do. God Rest Her Soul!

I can not really fathom her being gone. I came to school in Cyprus at the Nicosia Middle School and remember that ubiquitous portrait that I (and probably others ) found so fetching. A young and healthy vivacious queen who has been in my heart ever since. God Rest The Queen! We send our Prayers and Love.

I would have mentioned it but Ugh! So little....

Always glad for happy collectors. I am not sure of value anymore, but hopefully they gain. I am of similar opinion about the currency 1981 10P....

Yes, in hand it certainly is and the coin is in a Capitol Plastics holder, not a TPG slab.

Scratches on capitol plastic holder

This picture doesn’t even look like a proof but it is.

That PCGS photo of the Proof 65RB is really sensational. I personally rather like the 1853 proof penny....The "off year" large pennies usually just don't have the aesthetics of this one or the 1839.

Their's looks a lot more red, many have actual pleasant tone from being in the cases I assume. I got one of these a few years ago when they were going for a song and looks similar to yours.

Yes, these are probably fair assessments. I am always surprised at the relative lack of interest in patterns and non-gold proofs (excluding somewhat pennies) of the 19th and 20th centuries. I suppose this cuts both ways for those of us that collect such - what we have does not attract interest of others and what we are seeking when found is not too dear. Not ever been too interested in cases really, but more power to those that are....

PS - I am wondering if some coins in this sale did not reach reserve?? I too registered to bid but that did not occur until AFTER the auction....Oh well I did not want to compete at many of those price levels anyway.

True is that. Many RM "records" either were rarely kept or not preserved.

Mintage has been reported in various sources at about 400 pcs.

Ah, Bruce, none that I know - I thought you were going to broach the subject of edge letter varieties. Recently for sale at auction was the "Hip Hop" variety: .....RENDER UNTO YO I have a specimen with virtually the entire edge lettering offset, basically struck twice into the edge. As far as up or down orientation, there would be no value assigned and probably be near to 50-50....

I don't really know about the BM and possible internet accessibility. That collection is absolutely incomprehensible...

Ah, yes, bordering on avarice there. I have FOUR 1984 Papua New Guinea proof sets that are scarce but not nearly as rare. Perhaps you might share some of your favorites with us?

Followup: no news! LOL I believe this set had to have had a max of 50 sets, and probably less. I am a bit of an hoarder and probably would buy a second if it became available....

I had heard that as well - about the shell casings - but then recall that the research did not yield the WW I casings to be of that alloy (??), and that it was speculative. The British Museum have an interesting collection of different alloy strikes from the time that are designated for anyone interested. I have seen various reports that others may confirm or debunk and one alloy was cited as copper 60% and nickel 40%...

Would be good to know... The "Classes" FM struck coins through 1985 but struck coins after that under much different management, examples being the BVI commems in 1992-93 and the Papua New Guinea 1995 100 Kina - I have never seen any writeup as to what was going in later stages, or what became of their collection of dies.

No. That is a puzzler as in all my years have not seen any other instances of FM dies getting outside of that mint. Again, not first hand, but the probably secondary source (LH) somehow got hold of these as well as the US Mint sourced dies - I may have said that I know of the whereabouts of some FM and US mint dies. Much obviously is speculative given that the key protagonists have passed away - the collector Richard Stuart and dealer LH. Because of the intrigue, I want to query my friend again about some more information. I don't think LH's widow would be forthcoming, but I may see if I might ask some innocent questions (if possible!). I want to find someone in the area with XRF to test the possible residual metal in the referred 1/4 Balboa US mint dies as if there is trace gold that would tend to be a "smoking gun". That still does not answer as to how in the world the FM dies were obtained. In any case, certainly a bit of intrigue....

Not much else to go on, but the date suspect. This looks a bit like some of the Beirut 1970's struck coins that were of good metal but fabricated with some issues similar to what has been shown. Weight of coin? Gold purity was good and from what I have heard on occasion exceeding 22k.

I would assume not too many pairings on the 1893 Jub? BTW, check out the specimen shown on the PCGS website under "Pop Report" as it is pictured there.

More disappointment there for me at least.... Love the Einstein quote & sometimes find myself questioning my coin sanity!