1949threepence

Just been blocked @ 9.22am - cannot access the site using either my desktop or tablet. Having to do this on my mobile. Message reads "Your IP address has been blocked from accessing this site. This is because of multiple failed log in attempts or suspicious activity" Not good.

Thankfully it is set to get warmer over the next few days, as the Northerly we have had for the last week, is replaced by a more West to South Westerly.

Guy, that's quite a specialist ask. To be absolutely honest I didn't even know there were any 1954 VIP proof threepences. I know there were a few 1953 ones. Having shown up my ignorance, I would love to see a pic of one.

Thanks guys

Indeed so Matt. These are no ordinary coins being sold. They are top end examples of their dates. Is Guy selling a collection, or is he a dealer?

Have you tried not showing your hand until the last few seconds of the auction, then putting in a relatively high bid. If you win, the amount you pay will be slightly above the next highest bid - eg: a coin has several bidders and is worth about £75.00. The current high bid is £54. In the last few seconds you overbid at the absolute limit of what you can afford, in this instance let's say £100. You are the winner but only pay £58.00. Also In the last few seconds there was also another bid of £57.00. So you pay £1.00 above this figure. It's worked many times for me.

Absolutely - Happy Birthday, David.

Will do

Indeed, and Colin Cooke has quite a few, such as the Alderley, Crocker, Workman and Edinburgh collections. Normally reserved for the superior collections. There have been other collections such as "The Gentleman's collection of pennies", but because they aren't so big, the images aren't permanently retained for posterity in the collections section.

I must admit, I'm very surprised. The last I knew, Steve (Accumulator) was an absolutely avid penny collector. But as you say, personal priorities change. There are some extremely nice pieces in that collection, which will attract a lot of money/bids, I'm sure.

It is Steve's collection then. Very nice too.

You'd have thought so, wouldn't you.

Actually, would it by any remote chance be Steve's collection?

Wow, this is really sounding interesting. Hmmm, I've sort of an idea, but am not sure as I can't actually view the collection I think it might be.

That's a really unusual example, Pete. Bet its premium is enhanced quite a bit because of that feature. I once thought I was on the verge of getting a unique £10 note. Had drawn some money out of the cashpoint, and noticed the serial No KK555553 as the top note. I hurriedly re-inserted my card to get another £20, but unfortunately it was going backwards, so ended up with 52 and 51 instead of 54 and 55 - damnit. Such opportunities don't come around very often.

Nice buy, Pete. That's clearly a wide 6 easily visible at first glance.

No, that appears to be a new one, Matt. Interesting - I wonder how many there are with that dot, still in existence?

Very optimistic, Prax. I agree.

Jerry, that 1862 2/1 is possibly the clearest example of the type that I've seen, and a really nice problem free specimen to boot. That and your 1864 plain are really great purchases

Somebody's 'avin a larf. It's difficult to believe there are still individuals who still fall for this crap.

I've often wondered why there are so many coins from that era which have either a hole drilled through them, or a name stamped on them. I think I now know why. There is a fascinating article in April's (2016) "Coin News" entitled "Victorian coin defacement". Written by John Robinson, it examines why so many coins did get defaced. People had many novel uses for coins in those days, such that in August 1861, the government decided on a clamp down, as recorded by The Bedfordshire Times: Customers and shopkeepers then cast much sharper eyes on coins, not only looking for already defaced coins, but also for counterfeits and lightweights. A fad emerged in the 1860's, which involved the use of what was called "The Detector", which was used to dtermine whether or not a coin was fake. A case which appeared in The Kentish Mercury in December 1861, illustrates the use of this device: It's useful to know why so many coins from this era were defaced, and the above gives an insight into why this happened. Obviously, in spite of the Act, the defacement continued long after. Evidently not too many people were sufficiently bothered about the new law to let it change their habits.

Cheers Matt. That and the F76 I also recently got off e bay, are offsetting the disappointment of drawing a complete blank at the March LCA.

Here it is anyway - in what I would estimate to be NEF/EF. In hand there is a trace of lustre in the devices. Freeman 78 reverse Freeman 78 obverse As I don't seem to have a lot of luck posting actual images, I have posted image shack links again

...and it's a great thought, Peter. But unfortunately I've agreed to do overtime to try and clear a huge work arrears backlog. So won't be able to attend. That said, I believe the June fair is one of the "big four", so I'll make a special effort to attend that one.

Dave rang me this morning, Pete, after I e mailed him last night. I'd asked if he could send a pic, but he said he wasn't much good at that, so he's sending the coin I want, which was the best of his Freeman 78's, on approval. Hope he has sent it signed for. Forgot to mention that in our conversation.