1949threepence

Which auction is that, Pete/Rob? ETA: Got it, Spink

At times the forum is a bit quiet and there's seemingly not much to contribute to. Matt signed in on Tuesday, I note, but didn't post. I'm the same, some days.

An example of Pareidolia. You don't get that many on coins.

I've only had one so far, and I had to wait until 18th April to get that !!!

Mine too, Richard.

Interesting. Never seen that before, Cliff. As Terry says though, there's probably many more varieties to be discovered yet, particularly among those first few hectic years of bronze production. Reading Michael Gouby's book on the 1860 to 1869 period, it does appear that James Watt was not terribly efficient, especially at first, and I do wonder if some of the deviations from "norm", that we see, are due in part to working at high speed, cutting corners and an "anything goes" attitude in order to meet production targets. If that meant carelessly repaired dies, or a wonky 1 in the date, then that was a small price to pay as far as they were concerned. With that said, he does seem to think that the scarcer varieties of 1861, which also contain flaws, as we know, were produced exclusively by the Royal MInt, as reverse dies were tested, against various obverses, prior to obverse 6 and reverse G being the accepted standard. That's not to say Gouby is definitively correct, however. After all this time, there has to be an element of speculation and inspired guesswork. I think they should have stuck with reverse F. There's something oddly attractive about it, in my opinion.

Thanks Terry, that's really useful info and well researched on your part. I would never have realised.

Whilst I'd already got a Freeman 20, the one I've just managed to get is a full grade higher, about NVF. I don't think it's worthy of the title "penny acquisition of the week", it is nonetheless an acquisition, and it is somewhat scarce, so I'm quite pleased.

Could be just that. In one sense it's a hell of a bargain. In another it does have that serious blemish which defiitely detracts. Can it actually be treated, so as to remove all traces?

I was sort of momentarily tempted myself, Pete, but decided I couldn't live with that.

This is a damn shame. A Freeman 30, 6 over 8 in otherwise very reasonable condition given its rarity, but the Queen is smoking a pipe. Some graffiti artist has mucked about with it. link to offer

I've no idea how he got it, what he got it for, or what he paid for it. But it is what it is - an 1849 penny in pretty good nick, again his grading is irrelevant. I make my own grading. Well worth £770. I'd bet he's sold at a loss.

He's also got a little coterie of fawning followers who hang on his every condescending word. Not good. With that said, the 1849 is an absolute bargain given it's overall excellent condition. If I'd realised it was up for auction, I don't know about "Our Man Flint", but I'd certainly have been "In Like Flint".

There were some interesting and very scarce examples, Jerry. They included a Gouby 1860 variant, a proof 1860, a proof 1868, a F24, a F38 (in pretty good shape) and an 1863 die No 4 under date, in fine. Really good stuff. Hopefully, as Rob says, they will re-appear. My first thought was that the vendor had withdrawn them.

Well, somewhat disappointingly, all those rare pennies have now disappeared from the LCA June Auction Preview. The only one remaining is the 1871

I'd also recommend a cabinet. Expensive initial outlay, but a one off cost, and a decision you won't regret in the long term.

Wandering round antique and junk shops for a few hours, is my idea of heaven. Especially if there are Grandfather clocks ticking in the background, which adds to the restful and absorbing atmosphere. Beats any other form of doorstep shopping, which is mostly hellish.

I can barely afford one at the moment, Jon. But I'll do me best.

Superb colouring, especially on the first two, and very attractive coins. I can see why you bought them

Upgrades, Pete?

Bears all the hallmarks of an inside job (no pun intended)

Yes, that's the thing. Once you've got the regular items, you move on to the rarer stuff, and the cost keeps going up and up !!! .......but it becomes very addictive, and you can't help yourself.......

In the June LCA preview, I especially like the look of the Freeman 12 proof, and the 1868 proof. I can only afford to go for one, so will probably be one of those two. Anybody else got their eye on any of the pieces?

I can see Scott's picture, Richard.

Indeed there are, Pete. Some real beauties for the specialist there. One or two have "come to Daddy" written all over them Most of those scarcities have only just been added. They definitely weren't there a few days ago.