1949threepence

and the obverse ~ slight damage noted, but doesn't detract overall.

Here is the 1889 proof:-

I knew that it would go for way above the parameter estimates, and so it proved. Not often you'll be able to get your hands on a specimen of that quality for 1864 ~ you can't usually ever see them, let alone bid on them !!! I got the 1889 F129 proof for £420.00. I considered the ex Michael Freeman F65 as well, Steve, but felt that the estimates were a tad high. PLeased you got it for a slightly more realistic price. Well done !!!

Yes, that's the normal colour of a coin that's been buried a long time. Ignore the hype of eBay sellers - they will claim all kinds of weird and wonderful things as "rare", "unique", etc. The recut of dates was usually done on the final figure of the date, as the date punches for the dies were either 18-- (last two digits blank), or created for a decade, like 186-. When it came to the final digit on the dies, yes they would punch them in individually, which is why you see such a variety of spacings and angles of final digit. This is especially true for 1861 and 1862, which was a combination of 1) the early days of bronze coinage production and 2) very high mintages (which was also the case in 1863, then it tailed off dramatically). Bottom line - a recut 1 over 1 on a particular die for this particular date is not terribly exciting though it is interesting if you collect such things. A worn one for £26 obviously attracted one such collector, so if you put yours on eBay you might attract another, who knows? There's a lot of odd spacings on the 1864 as well, especially the crosslet. Many of the wider spaced 4's are barely visible.

I've got one slabbed coin, don't want any others. FWIW, I wouldn't recommend either of the two organisations concerned. Both make errors, and the subsequent premium placed on a slabbed coin is not value for money.

In view of what Bob and bagerap have said, I won't be buying this product.

Just been released. Some very nice coins amongst them. Hitting me personally in the eye is the absolutely fantastic UNC with good lustre 1864 crosslet 4 penny ~ would that could afford it. Absolutely gorgeous coin ~ maybe an opportunity for Accumulator if he hasn't got one. Certainly the best one I've seen for sale, by orders of magnitude. Anyway, whatever your speciality, the catalogue can be seen here

It's the completists that do it! They'll have a decent run of lustrous G-V pennies, and their 1915 will be lagging behind all the others. When there's a gap to fill, book values go out of the window. Having said that, Coin Yearbook 2014 says £80 in UNC for this coin, so grade overestimation will play a part too. Shiny must equal UNC. Weren't many of the coins produced in WW1 in much the same state, due more to die wear than coin wear ? A coin in the original mint bag might not look UNC given such circumstances.

I don't get what all this is about as it pertains specifically to feedback. Just checked in e bay, and all the names are fully intact from Windows.

Link I'm not sure that e bay is the most appropriate vehicle to sell such a rare item. He might have to wait a very long time before anybody commits to that kind of price as a BIN, and if he went for e bay auction, I'd bet he'd lose out substantially. Might be better to try London Coins Auction.

Really not good form shown by PCGS there.

It was a fascinating item. Moreover, for those who have it, there is a great article on the subject in the 2014 coin yearbook at page 17. Gorgeous design for the 50p reverse, which in my opinion would have been better than the one they did use. Faraway is close at hand in images of elsewhere......

That's really great news !!!

It was apparently sold privately. Not to me, I should add, though I did make a substantial offer. I'm sure the new owner will be very pleased with the addition to their collection. I tried to buy it also...but fell short of what he required! Bad luck gents..... Did you buy it Michael?........ I didn't, Bob, no. If I hadn't bought any coins for the last year, I'd have been able to afford it, and probably made an offer. It is a gem, no doubt about it, as well as a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Maybe it's me, but that doesn't look like a coin that's never been in circulation........

Absolutely gorgeous !!!

Coins can tone in so many ways. Some prove to be very attractive, some not at all. I think the secret is even toning. Some great examples pictured in this thread.

It was apparently sold privately. Not to me, I should add, though I did make a substantial offer. I'm sure the new owner will be very pleased with the addition to their collection. I tried to buy it also...but fell short of what he required! Bad luck gents.....

Interesting, I note there was no sale. Or at any rate, Ian withdrew the coin from sale.

I have noticed the price for an UNC specimen is, in most cases, much higher relative to the differentials between the rest of the grades, than even 3 years ago. Top quality is definitely even more strongly sought after. But of course, not always possible to get, even if the money is available.

It certainly doesn't look MS65 in the photo.

looking for more 1898s and 1895s so far found 3 varieties of 1895, the 2mm all appear identical but hard to find spares of the 1mm with intact border beads date differences on the 1mm quite striking, but is there a slight difference in the relationship of the drapery, waves and rocks to the union flag on the shield?? scans done together at roughly the same orientation correction lighting from the opposite direction shows NO difference in the 2 1mm reverses - top image is a 2mm still looking for another wide date(s) Thanks for that, David. Never seen a wide date 1895 before. Of course the difference is only marginal, but clearly discernible to the naked eye.

Without delving into the precise mechanics of the issue, David, sympathies for not getting it. Quite a reasonable grade for such a rare item.

Precisely. I've asked Lloyd for a list and shall post it here as soon as I receive it. Will keep a lookout in case any come to light.

Welcome Chris. As you say there are a myriad varieties that can be collected, so it's best to concentrate on the area/denomination/time period that interests you most, and stick to it for a good time. That way, you will become much more knowledgable in that particular area, and when you move up to collecting more costly, rarer items, less likely to be fleeced.