1949threepence

Yes, something there. But it seems to be a slight discurvature of the linear circle, as opposed to to the actual edge. Maybe a minting anomaly of some description?

Well H and K are close to each other on the keyboard, so maybe you I advertently pressed the wrong one. It happens.

There may also be a narrow date version of the 1890 - although it's not in Gouby. The poster @scott posted this nearly three years ago. Not totally convincing, but no harm in showing.

Some silver coins seem much more susceptible than others to toning.

It's a pretty good specimen Blake. Well captured. For those who haven't heard of them, take a look at this picture from Gouby's "The British Bronze Penny 1860 to 1901", page 86.

Just remembered this one and looked it up to see what eventually happened. It was withdrawn prior to sale. So it looks as though your e mail was acted upon after all, Paddy. link

I'd say GVF/EF - from the picture. As you say, may look different in hand.

It's not a problem Pete. Mistakes happen and I do have one which I'd already ordered. I'm sure an UNC specimen will present itself in due course.

Back in July 2013, I actually got a 2009 Kew Gardens 50p in my change, but unfortunately spent it again later that same day, thinking it was a different 50p. I'd inadvertently put the wrong one in the zip up part of my wallet. Christ knows how I messed that one up. Think it was because I'd got several 50p's anyway, and got them all out of my pocket at the same time, in order to segregate the Kew Gardens, then must have somehow slipped the wrong one in.

With regard to the '44 to' 46 pennies, it's amazing that a 2.5% reduction in tin can make that much difference to outward appearance when toning.

Brilliant. Very neat capture Chris.

Thanks for the heads up Will. That looks an interesting read.

Pete - I had an e mail from Dave Craddock saying that it wasn't a single exergue line penny, and that there may have been some mix up. Never mind - one of those things. At least I do now have one, albeit only GF. But no other issues, so it will do very nicely.

They've got a 24 hour action line, Paddy. So it wouldn't do any harm to contact, explain the position, and see what their advice is. I find it difficult to believe they wouldn't be interested in actual instances of potential fraud, even if from an unaffected third party.

The best postage from the US is USPS (United States postal service) tracked. I Forget the exact cost, but it was very low. The item I got from Bob @RLC35 was posted on 16th July and arrived on 25th to be signed for by me. Could not fault it. Here's a screenshot of the latter part of the journey:-

Interestingly, under the heading George VI (1936 - 52), in relation to mint darkened coins, Freeman says this:- "Some pennies of other years also appear to have been treated with 'hypo' unofficially" ETA: With regard to 1944 undarkened, I found this - no idea how experienced or knowledgeable the guy is, but he sounds as though he knows his onions. Of course, the last paragraph takes me back to my thread on mint darkened 1935 pennies (or the possibility thereof).

I can only find one on the LCA site, and that went with a double exergue 1940, both UNC, for £120 hammer, in June 2016 - link to

Thanks Terry - useful info.

I have heard of non mint darkened specimens of 1944, 1945, and 1946 pennies - can anybody confirm? Or are they just showing variance in the extent/quality of the mint toning over the time involved?

Indeed, well spotted. As Chris says though, they are rare. I'd bet that less than 1 in 100 of 1940 pennies on e bay are the single exergue line F226, in any condition.

He always prices very fairly. I feel very fortunate to have dropped on a good quality one so relatively soon after starting to search. Never even thought about the possibility of Dave Craddock having a high grade one until this afternoon.

aUNC - 30% lustre. You did well to spot that other one Pete. I searched e bay repeatedly and missed it. ETA: It's not marked as one, so I probably went right past it without checking properly.

Actually Jon, I've got it on order. A few minutes after I bought the specimen above and made the post, I wondered if Dave had one. So on the off chance looked at his last list - and there it was. So I called him and he's sending it Tuesday.

Encased US coin here if anyone interested

You're right, it is a bugger to get. I searched all UK 1940's the other day, and then searched e bay Canada, Australia and USA - still no luck. Finally spotted one this morning - got to be probably the 200th (at least) I've looked at. That gives some indication of just how scarce they are. It's only about GF, but at least I've got one. Was cheap as well. Will do until (and IF) a better one comes along. Was going boggle eyed looking 1940 single exergue line