1949threepence

Cheers Pete. In the end it was a much better specimen than I expected to get.

My 1874 series is now complete, with the acquistion of the final piece in the jigsaw - a Freeman 77 in what I would say was toned GEF. Thanks to Ian for this coin

They look like total fakes to me. Also, whoever is saying they're turning up in change or won in a fruit machine, is manifestly lying through their teeth. None have yet been released for circulation, and they probably wouldn't fit an unadapted slot machine anyway. They are being released for circulation in March 2017 - link

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Bernie, it looks as though Matt was successful in obtaining a copy of the Christies auction from the Fitzwilliam, and it does appear they also hold copies of the 25th November 1991 auction. Might be worth a try.

I think it was an original photo reproduced on the flyer, Bernie.

I looked at Spink's archive, but couldn't find any auctions for 25th November1991.

No, only the indentation on the E. The scratch is either invisible on the photo, or was made later. I'd imagine the Empire photo was taken circa 1963. The fact that Spink acquired the cooin in 1956, must take us back very close to the person who originally found or held the coin. Wonder who that was....

If you look at the top one posted by me, that clearly shows a coin with lustre, as does Bernie's "Market Scene" article. But the other two, posted separately by Paulus and Richard, show a toned coin apparently devoid of lustre.

The indentation on the E is present on all three - my pic not being good enough to show the scratch. So it's definitely the same coin. Odds against those identical flaws being present on two coins being astronomical. But how do you expain the loss of lustre, Matt?

Hmm, not sure what to make of it. The dent in the bottom stem of the "E" of "ONE", mentioned by Bernie, is present on all three pics. Richard's, Bernie's article, and mine from the Empire Co document. What I can't explain is that the first two appear to show a lustred coin, but Richard's pic shows a coin that seems to be fully toned.

Thanks for that, Bernie. Very interesting reading. £24k in 1991. I bet it would fetch a lot more now, possibly even 6 figures. So Peck acquired the penny from Spinks. I wonder who they acquired it from?

Given they were all supposedly melted down, apart from this one specimen, that wouldn't logically follow.

There are three questions which we don't know the answer to (well somebody might, assuming they're still alive). They are:- 1) How the single 1954 coin entered circulation, or if it was removed from the Royal MInt premises, accidentally or otherwise by a Royal MInt employee. 2) If it did somehow get into circulation via a mistake at the Royal MInt, who initially found it. 3/ How did Peck get hold of it? From a legal perspective, the Royal Mint would have to assume that it accidentally entered circulation, but having done so - obviously by means unknown - ownership is then transferred to the current bearer. That's the way I would see it anyway. Any rate, the Mint have never claimed ownership.

Hope this is OK, Bernie:- Just to add it's the best I can get, as the actual pic on the document itself, is not that brilliant.

I received my DNW auction lots today, and in the Peck that I won, there was a very interesting document from the Empire Coin company about the probably unique 1954 penny. Take a look:-

Picked up from Post Office today. Many thanks, Ian.

Unfortunate.

The best way of cleaning coins is not to clean them. You can do untold damage quite unintentionally.

Definite bargain there, Peter !

I'll take it as it's a distinct improvement on the one I've just bought, which I'll now keep as a spare. Have sent you a PM.

I'd just add that my girlfriend suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis, and the methetrexate she needs to take all the time, plus occasional steroid course, is prescription cost exempt because her condition is chronic. But those are not especially expensive drugs. Some cancer drugs are incredibly costly, and it's a lottery as to whether the NHS here will fund drug treatment for those patients affected.

Jesus Christ, Bob - $11,000 per month is off the scale. I am so sorry to hear this. Hope your wife is OK. God bless.

Idiot that I am, I only went and uploaded a pic of my Freeman 28 in error. The actual Freeman 25 is here (sorry for the confusion folks)

Wish I could. Unfortunately my photographic skills are not that good.

It doesn't show on the pic, but under a loupe, the L C WYON is there, clear of the bust and showing as I C WYON, consistent with obverse 4. To be honest, when I first looked at it this morning, on its arrival, I thought the same as you, until I saw the signature.