1949threepence

Yet it is precisely those very high 100% lustrous grades, Tom, which sell at a premium way above even GEF. Perfection commands its own elite audience, apparently....... ........That's if you can find them to buy, even at silly money........

Yeah, I bet you are, matey

Another problem with Royal Mail is the postie shoving recorded delivery items through the door without knocking to obtain a receipt. Just this week I had one. You can see a scan of it uploaded to imageshack here ~ none of the tabs have been removed. If I was a dishonest person I could easily claim legitimate non receipt. Just checked track and trace, and it says "try later" !!!

Even when I lived in Essex I tried to avoid going to London if I could. Although, the London fairs sound good, it's the thought of having to actually traverse the place that puts me off. The Midland is a nice trip for me as it's fairly local, and always civilized. Motor Cycle museum is a nice place.

Looks a good book. Thanks for the heads up on that one, David

I don't think it does, Gary. Obverse 1 & 2a do, but not obverse 2 for 1903. See Gouby's website.

Just looked at all my dates for this period, and I've noticed the extra part linear circle on my 1883, in exactly the same place. Not on any of the others though.

Welcome James, and good luck with the metal detecting. Many penny enthusiasts here

Not quite what I said, Dave, if you look Be honest though. You're a dealer and collector ~ would you really want one of those in your collection tray amongst all the EF's and UNC's ? Or would you as soon sell it on to a specialist who really would appreciate it for what it was, very rare, but very worn out ?

It would definitely find a space in the buy as a bargain and sell on to buy something else in its place tray. But you're right, Dave, I wouldn't want to look at it every day. I'll leave that to someone else. "Tens of thousands" ?

My wife calls it coin collectors stoop. A drop of pain relief gel on Sunday evening is called for. & Colin they supply chairs for us farthing buffs so we can go through the 50p boxes whilst the Penny boys need their bankmanagers to OK some scummy worn "open 3" discs. There's one or two on here who'd be interested in those, Peter

I was going to attend the June show, but got stymied by a work related issue on the day. Hopefully will go to the September one.

Yes, unfortunately it's very common. I can only assume that it's a combination of micro variations in bedding size, coin size, and in the case of older albums, overuse caused by frequently getting the coin out to have a look at it. It's one of the reasons why I changed over from albums to a mahogany cabinet with trays.

Yes. Something like that open 3 1863, I might buy to sell, if it presented as a bargain. But I certainly wouldn't put a flat disc like that in my tray, however rare the type may be. Nevertheless, I still respect the collector who does go for every type, despite only low grade availability of some. But it's just not for me. We're all different. Exactly my point. I've certainly got gaps for 1864, plain and crosslet 4, 1865 ~ 5 over 3, and even up to 1879 narrow date if I can get one in near VF. But there has to be a crossover balance point between quality, price and availability, in which there are practical, as well as aesthetic, limits.

Whilst I realise their rarity might make them an attractive proposition to some, for me, they're just not worth sticking in a collection tray. If I didn't have a good example already I would buy it. Trying to assemble an all known type and variety set means you have to take the rough and the smooth on occasion. I appreciate your point but this poor 63 is worth more than the nice slabbed penny that you bought last month. The determining factors being availability and demand. I doubt that you will find many (if any) open 3's for sale anywhere. I'd take a poor die 2,3 or 5, slender 3, 1933 etc etc as they are holes in my trays, so if you have any spare you know where to send them! ....and you'd be more than welcome to them ~ although I don't think they will include a 1933 !!! I will let you know if I come across any. I'm sure you're right about the value, but for pure collectors such as myself, it's not really about commercial value.

Whilst I realise their rarity might make them an attractive proposition to some, for me, they're just not worth sticking in a collection tray.

Neh, open 3, die number or whatever else. I wouldn't touch a coin in that bad a state. It looks truly awful.

Nah - a good fish'nchip supper swilled down with a few oysters, is more her scene (and if she was a true Essex Girl, a few whelks and jellied eels wouldn't go amiss) Essex girls are great. They may not always be the sharpest knives in the drawer, but their hearts are usually in the right place

The 1988 £1 coin has almost reached mythical status, and although it isn't that common, especially set against the astronomic mintages of many years since 1983, you will probably get one in your change at least once per year. What you won't get is one in EF or UNC from change ~ you'd be pretty fortunate to even get a VF circulation 1988 £1 coin. They're sought after for sure, and much sought after in the high grades. When I was about 11, I received one in sparkly UNC !!! Wish I'd had the foresight to keep it

Not really 1949, a few miles south of Colchester on the coast - right in the middle of the Parachute Regiment's firing ranges. Can be awfully noisy at times. Yeah, I bet it can, 400. Although Colchester is a nice City. The inhabitants weren't saying that after Boudicca paid it an official visit. In fact, they weren't saying ANYTHING seeing how they were all dead or fled. Is it Boudicca or Boadicea ? Never sure I think it's like the difference between Jesus and Joshua - one got more popular quite a while after the other (original). So I'm thinking Boudicca is the older spelling? And therefore more authentic. Not sure how far back Boadicea goes (Victorians? LOL) It's just I'm sure it always used to be Boadicea, then suddenly seemed to change to Boudicca without discussion or warning. Bit like Bombay to Mumbai.

Not really 1949, a few miles south of Colchester on the coast - right in the middle of the Parachute Regiment's firing ranges. Can be awfully noisy at times. Yeah, I bet it can, 400. Although Colchester is a nice City. The inhabitants weren't saying that after Boudicca paid it an official visit. In fact, they weren't saying ANYTHING seeing how they were all dead or fled. Is it Boudicca or Boadicea ? Never sure

Not really 1949, a few miles south of Colchester on the coast - right in the middle of the Parachute Regiment's firing ranges. Can be awfully noisy at times. Yeah, I bet it can, 400. Although Colchester is a nice City.

I remember a hailstorm in Southend one humid August day in 1994, which left the streets white as though it had snowed. The accompanying violent thunderstorm caused lightning damage to several buildings nearby, in fact the lightning was so incessant that if it had been night, you could probably have read a book by it. We all knew something really bad was coming as the storm approached, because even from miles away the thunder was non stop. No doubt a freak storm for Dundee, Dave.

"Basted" ? If it really has been gold plated, there is no way on God's Green Earth it would be graded by CGS. Slabbed without a grade, maybe.

Would that be like an A+++ seller !!!