1949threepence

Managed to obtain a Freeman 25 from Dave Craddock for just £45. It's only about fine, but despite the rarity 12, you see very few of this type for sale. For example only 2 in the LCA during the last 13 years. There was a UNC in the Workman sale a few years ago though.

A very pleasant guy called Dave just phoned me to say that my lots will be sent next week, all in one package (books and coins together) by Royal Mail next day delilvery. Apparently the delay was due to the books and coins being on different floors, and they're just getting round to marrying the two together.

Mine still haven't arrived and the shipping info remains blank. I had this reply to an enquiry I made on Wednesday:- I think I'm going to have to get in contact again.

Cheers Matt. Of course the rare pennies in the 20th century are well known, and there are fewer varieties. That said, there are some extremely expensive ones amongst them, when in prime condition. I'm thinking especially of the 1919KN and the 1926ME. If I'd had the cash at the time, I'd have gone for Steve's in advance of starting. But before all that I've got to finish the 1860 and 1861 series, as far as is practicable, as well as a few other little spaces.

I started on Victorian pennies 1860 to 1901, in 2010, and am now down to the rare varieties. I know full well I'm not going to get them all. Indeed, with a few, there is only one example. So there will come a time in the not too distant future, when further additions to that collection become so infrequent, that my attention will shift to the next area I have planned, namely seriously starting with pennies from 1902 to 1967. That will probably be next year at some point.

Hmmm....I know someone whose only relief from chronic pain, is from the illegal and unofficial use of cannabis. Not smoked, but ingested from cake. Prescription drugs and OTC medicines either won't touch it, or cause stomach upsets. Cannabis is the only thing which both enables him to get a decent night's sleep and not cause digestive issues. Of course, what he is doing, is illegal, but I'm not about to grass him up (no pun intended) For that reason I'd legalise it for pain relief on prescription.

When I was a rookie collector, I made mistakes and forked out on some overpriced coins. But I never whined and complained about it, as though it were somebody else's fault. I simply observed, learned, did more reading, researched my field and improved my expertise. As time moved on, I even started to pick up some bargains. When building my collection, I've even taken the hit from the money spent on an earlier coin, by upgrading that specimen. It's because our interest tends to override the cost. Indeed, most coin collectors are in it for the actual coins themselves, and have no intention of actually selling them anyway. Or would only do so if they genuinely needed the money for other things.

Just watched the programme on i player, and can only echo the closing words of the guy who bought all the commemoratives - "research and do your homework" - in other words "caveat emptor". Sorry, but I don't have a lot of sympathy. Nice spot by Geoff T. Agreed with all he said.

OK, I'll just shut up at this point

Well done, Pete

Also, who got the 1869 from the DNW. Nice coin with fairly even subdued lustre and no problems. Went for £2000 hammer.

If it's any help, Matt, the Fitzwilliam museum have all old auction catalogues, and the Christies auction of 23rd October 1984, is amongst them. Here's the link It's a bit antiquated as you have to scroll down under C to find Christies. That shows that they hold the catalogue for that auction, but it's not clear whether you are only able to view within the museum itself, or whether they would send you a copy for a fee. There is an e mail address you can make enquiries at.

The same coin with the same provenance from the Bamford sale for what it's worth.

Yeah....they're 2 all at the moment with Celtic at Celtic Park, in the Champions League. On paper a match they should walk.

I've got a Henry vacuum cleaner. I'm told they're suckers, unlike the people who use them

Yes, it's Steve's isn't it. Very nice too.

I think I'd have to look at a couple in hand, to see for myself Pete. Good stuff though. It's great when a new variant comes to light.

Interestingly enough, banknotes used to be - with the exact date of production, I believe, not merely the year. As for the variant in question, it's not one I've ever seen for sale, so I suspect there's no intererst at present. Maybe one for the future. Although the differences are so minute, that you obviously need strong magnification to even spot them.

So I phoned DNW and explained the situation. I was told not to worry as they haven't updated all the client's accounts yet.

Interesting that picture 24/24 in the slideshow depicts a number of fake slabs - all the ones I can see have the word "cleaned" written on them.

Definitely something underlying as you can clearly see what looks like another downward stroke, just to the left of the vertical bar, and overlapping it. The die also looks as though it could be worn, given that the top horizontal bar is thin looking. Precisely what has occurred here though, is difficult to determine. Nice coin, nonetheless.

I'm hoping my lots will as well, although they haven't been marked as shipped on the DNW website yet. Interestingly, since paying, my account, under "account management", is showing as £0.00, but under "invoices" it's still showing the full amount as owing, as though it should still be paid.

I was born and brought up in Chelmsford, and you would be surprised at the number of Ipswich Town supporters there are there.

They probably will, but a few weeks ago I thought Joe Hart fell a bit unlucky. He was always a cert under Pellegrini, but he clearly didn't fit into Guardiola's plans at all, nor could he into any other premiership team. AQlways a popular guy at the Etihad, and now look where he is.

I'll let this one go through as I've already paid and the next Midland isn't until 9th October. But thanks for the tip. Will remember for next time That's incredibly fast considering it only finished yesterday. Much quicker than LCA, who take a week or so.