1949threepence

Enjoy the Glen Livet, John ! Come October, when I've got a bit more cash, I'd be interested in the F21, if you've still got it by then.

I must admit, I was very surprised there was so little interest. Maybe not that many were aware of the auction? Some seemed like absolute bargains, and if I wasn't so cleaned out after having my new kitchen, I might have bid for a couple more. As it is, the small work bonus I got at the end of July has neatly covered the F69, which at that price and in that condition, was a cracker of a bargain IMO. I bet at a DNW or Spink live auction, it would have gone for at least twice that, and I'd have been blown out of the water. Can't understand why it didn't go at the LCA, as it's a very rare item, not far off the F76 for rarity.

Still pretty bad I'm afraid, John - although I bid on the one that interested me, namely the Freeman 69, and won for £400 hammer. I wasn't the only bidder either, as the auctioneer started at £320. Whilst I'm aware there is a GEF example out there somewhere, yours, at GVF and problem free, is the best I've encountered in many years of looking and seeing nothing better than barely fine, or slightly better and damaged in some way. It'll certainly be an excellent replacement for my current one, which is fine, but was polished at some point. They're onto the paintings now, so I've logged out.

Been watching the auction live, still on the halfcrowns, up to and including lot 351 - multiple passes I'm afraid to say. Although the very expensive £8k one went.

Here's another UNC example a few pages on, and the link to it:-

The number of alleged 1893/2 pennies on offer in e bay, leads me to believe that the vendors are either 'avin a larf, or seeing something that isn't there. Because if they're all correct in their assumptions, it's not nearly so rare as made out. Heres a link to one such offer and a pic:-

Very interesting. What condition was it in? Did it show signs of circulation?

Yes. My 1970 last lsd set is perfect, bar what looks like a tiny carbon spot on the penny obverse. Indeed so. Do you have a pic? Be interesting to see it.

Thanks John. The ½ p, 1p, & 2p seem to have evenly toned a reddy purply colour, although most of the ½ p obverse is largely untouched. The 5p, 10p & 50p are still immaculate, as is the mint token. I thought mine was typical of most, but maybe as you indicate, it's above average, which is good. I've got all of the period affected by discolouration between 1970 and 1979, with some of the bronze coins just slightly affected in most years. None are as bad as the 1973, but the 1974 and 1978 sets are both immaculate throughout. Some rainbow toning on the 1979 10p reverse. None of them seem to have altered much, between when I bought them in 1999, and now.

Crikey, I thought mine was bad enough, but it's a damn sight better than that one. Incidentally, proof sets are absolute sods to get a decent pic of.

It also appears there are some "uniface" 1954 pennies at the British Museum - presumably reverse only and a blank obverse. The writer from Chard says he has actually seen and handled two himself. He also says that there are 6 in total, two with the BM and "others" with the Royal Mint. What he doesn't say is whether he saw a complete1954 penny at the BM.

Derek is Derek Allen - posts on here as "Red Riley", although I've not seen him around for a very long time. The book is called "Grading British Coins" and is still available. If you look at the "e pub" notifications at the top of the page, there are a row of books. Derek's is the third one along. Failing that, it'll be on Amazon.

So sorry to hear that news. Kind thoughts and prayers with David. God bless.

Declan, over the years since I bought Derek's book, I've slowly come to the conclusion that he is slightly generous in his assessments. Still a good book, nonetheless. Almost, but not quite a bible, to be honest. I'd estimate your 05 to be VG, your 03 as fine but battered, and your 04 as a nice straight, problem free fine. Given the rarity of the 05 (and don't forget the 03 & 04 aren't exactly common, being both sub million mintages), you weren't done by paying what you did for the Edward VII date run. I agree with Peck's estimation of F/NVF for the LCA 05 halfcrown. I also agree that they are very conservative with their grading.

No eye deception, Peck. It's definitely another 1907 !

Maybe not yesterday, but possibly in the last few months.........

Indeed. Although it is slightly comforting to know that not even vast wealth can obtain privately held extreme rarities, if the current owner isn't willing to sell.

Mind boggling

1991 Pete.

No, next question.

This is the one held privately. Clearly has some residual lustre on it:-

I think there are two. One held privately, with residual lustre, and one held by the British Museum, without. I think this is the one held by the British Museum, which would be consistent with Chris's remark that it was plucked from circulation. It doesn't look as though there is any residual lustre on it:-

So many seem either unavailable or just out of reach for me. I suppose patience is the key. Given that a 1933 made the equivalent of £151k last year, I can see the 1954 fetching a lot more than £60k - 1933 penny at 2016 auction sorry chaps - duplicate post. Posted to get rid of as the above won't clear from my PC, and I want to post again.

Actually just looking at this again, I slightly misled you there. It actually begins "https" - that bit must be included, or the link won't work. Apologies.

Chris Perkins' book also says that in addition to that coin, another 1954 was retrieved from change and is in the British Museum. So are there two 1954's? Is there one in the BM? I've always understood that there was just the one.