1949threepence

A FOI request might well be worth a try. I've got a fair amount of useful info from the R M that way.

I believe it used to be the case that coins minted in any given calendar year formed the basis of that year's mintage figures. A complication could arise owing to coins being minted at the start of a given year, still bearing the previous year's date, thus distorting the mintage for the dated coin. To the best of my knowledge this practice was phased out at some point in the 20th century, but not sure precisely when.

That's a bit too logical for 2019, Chris. Well said though.

The correct mintage figure for the 1913 halfcrown is 4,090,169. I get my mintage figures from any Coin Yearbook. The 2020 one will be out soon - just google Token publishing. You can download one.

That's a much better photo of the coin, than the one dnw posted at the time of the Laurie Bamford auction - here Although far from the rarest of the 1861's, the F26 is quite difficult to get in high grade. Did you get it at the actual auction, Pete, or buy it later?

From the listing "Old.. used.. and has a charity shop smell" Not sure whether she's talking about the coins or herself......

Great opportunity here for the astute collector

I agree Terry, but if that first F27, which was a washer, essentially, could be ID'd as such, then there's maybe a chance for this. It certainly looks different. I'd advise the owner, @Zo Arms to refer the coin - in hand - to Michael Gouby (if he's willing and available) to possibly get a more definitive conclusion.

Here's another pic showing the date juxtaposed with a "normal" 3:-

The obvious danger being the conservative vote being split with the Brexit Party allowing Corbyn in by the back door. That's why it's essential we leave one way or the other.

Thanks Jerry - the coin belongs to another forum member/dealer. He asked me my opinion without saying what he'd spotted, and then asked if I would post it on the forum for him, as he has difficulty with posting photos. At first I thought was perhaps a die No under date, but immediately discounted that theory. The the possibility it might be a slender three struck me, and that was exactly what he'd thought as well. As you rightly say, the coin is very worn, which doesn't help.

and another

What do you make of these images, Gents - out of interest?

Boris - we knew it would be. What amuses me are those who vehemently oppose a no deal brexit, yet full well know that parliament will not accept the current deal, and the EU refuses to renegotiate. So what deal are they referring to? The puffed up self important arrogance of these idiots is something else. They speak a different language to everyone outside the M25 orbit.

Thanks gents, much appreciated.

What do you reckon chaps, P to a tooth or gap? I come to a different conclusion every time I look Thanks.

What's supposed to be on the reverse? (or obverse)

Good point, well observed.

Not a lot of people know that......

Maybe some were designed for advertising. Quite a neat way of advertising when you think about it - for the era. Coins, especially pennies, would be very widely circulated and go through a lot of hands.

Some of these marks are interesting, but you do wonder why they got stamped on in the first place. What exactly was the point, unless for pure amusement - as with trench art. Maybe pennies were just sometimes taken out of pockets to test punches. It seems to be largely a preserve of 19th century coins, predominantly pennies, together with drilling holes through the coins. Not counting "votes for women", which apart from the odd genuine one, is a wholly 21st century initiative. The two above are unusual inasmuch as they are neater and cleverer than usual. Blake's maybe (possibly) meant as a representation of a zulu spear. JLS's is anybody's guess. Not only as to whether the apparent B's are meant as B's, some other lettering/numbering combination, or in fact a pattern which has no relation to letters/numbers. Moreover, what's the significance of the larger V to the lower right, or the word "sense", which might have been added later or earlier? We'll never know.

That's a nice issue free specimen, Ian. The F106 is scarce. Mine is ex Michael Freeman, VF, but not quite as nice as yours.

I'd say definitely <20: in all probability <15, and none of the known ones in especially good grade. Even virtual washers go for very high prices. For example this one went for £3,600 hammer at LCA in March 2018:-

Well worth the car journey and any other inconvenience to eventually secure it though, Richard. Presumably the seller was in ignorance of what it was, and might easily have fallen for the first decent approach. Although to a suspicious mind that might well have prompted further investigation as to why someone should suddenly privately offer a largish sum on a 99p starting price auction, for a seemingly commonplace coin. You definitely did the right thing IMO.