1949threepence

Yes, specifically the track and trace, which works for known contacts of the positive case, but not the Covid-19 app which obviously can work for those you know, but is intended to be an alert due to being <2 metres from a given positive individual in the previous 14 days (usually someone you don't know) for more than 15 minutes. Due to privacy laws you could quite legally choose to ignore such an alert (known as a "ping", apparently), as downloading of the app is at the smartphone owner's discretion. Yet the danger is much the same in both circumstances. A positive case is a positive case. How you are notified of a contact is totally irrelevant to whether or not you might contract it yourself. It was stated that many of the old people who succumbed in the first wave, were already very frail and would most likely have died from other causes anyway, within a short time. Hence (I assume) why all cause death rates in June, July and August 2020, were lower than they normally are at that time of year. I'd certainly agree that obesity, diabetes and pre-existing lung conditions will contribute to a poorer prognosis, but other than that it's difficult to give a precise reason why symptoms vary from mild to severe in otherwise healthy individuals who contract it, and why some display no symptoms at all. I'm not entirely convinced about the disease badly affecting BAME individuals per se, given that the disease has never gained a foothold in equatorial Africa. So I think it adversely affects Asian people. Black people not nearly so much. So much we don't know, but can only conclude there are significant genetic differences between people, rendering some - of whatever age - much more vulnerable than others. Vitamin D supplements may help according to some. Why not? they're cheap enough.

I've used an illustration which shows a virtually smooth breastplate area. That is a specimen which shows the left breast gone as well. I've not seen one with a "complete" pair of breasts, as it were. No idea how many die pairs were used - probably just one, given the low mintage. But merely raising as a point of interest as it pertains to that year. ETA: Actually I'm pleased you mentioned the die pairs, as it got me thinking, and I've spent a bit of time wondering where I'd seen it mentioned about a flaw of the 1859 die that was carried into 1860 (not directly related to my original point, but quite interesting nonetheless). I eventually found it at page 4 of Bramah, where he states:- I checked and found this is the case on both the large and small date types of 1859. Slightly further on, he continues:-

Only, it seems, when you get to the 1860/59. The mint went to plain truncations in 1858, so that part of the run that year, and from then on, didn't have a WW on the truncation. Yet the 1858 no ww and the ordinary 1859, seem to be the same, breastplate wise, as their WW predecessors. With the same inconsistency as before. As far as I can tell, any rate.

One thing I have noticed is how badly many of the 1860/59 specimens are affected by the lack of right breast. Indeed in many cases the left breast is also affected. Re-used worn reverse die? Here's an example:-

The disease is also affecting a much younger cohort - in fact many of the hospital admissions now are in their 20's and 30's. So there is no free pass if you are in that younger age bracket link Yet some are obviously totally unaffected and don't know they've even contracted it. I'm convinced there is some genetic susceptibility aspect to it.

Although it would be ludicrous to blame Boris Johnson personally for what was obviously a low level, local cock up. Hopefully these rapid test kits will be rolled out nationally soon, so that anyone can get a test as and when they choose. Might even be stocked in workplaces. They will undoubtedly be a game changer as they will help root out asymptomatic positive cases for 2 weeks self isolation.

Martin, the delay was partly my fault for being out on Tuesday, the day of initial delivery. When I cycled into town on Wednesday, to pick up from the Post Office depot, I found it closed and shuttered up. The opening times had changed because of the pandemic, and were not as shown on the card. So went back this morning and picked up in accordance with the revised times. Something to be aware of if you're out when a coin arrives by next day tracked delivery. Don't take the times on the red and white card for granted. Check the website for your local RM pick up point first. But at least the correct procedure was followed by Royal Mail this time.

Thanks Martin, picked up today. Very, very pleased.

Some did use them.....surely it would have been obvious that they'd already been used.

Very very nice. Neat capture. ETA: Have you got a pic of the obverse as well?

Thanks Jerry. I was wondering whether it might have been captured for customs duty. @TomGoodheart great idea of Jerry's to have this thread made a sticky. It's going to be used many times. As a moderator do you agree?

Not sure about lost, but the trail's suddenly gone cold on a coin bought from the States. Should I be getting worried, or is it just too soon?

Also an updated idea of the relative scarcity pertaining to different varieties, something I don't think either Peck or Bramah got quite right in every case. The 1854/3 being an obvious example.

Hi Ian - no I can't see the two dots higher inside the loop on either of my specimens. I just assumed I hadn't got sufficiently powerful magnifiers. Bramah's book is very difficult to get and most that come up for sale are tatty ex library copies, with library inserts. They're also extremely expensive. The only one on Amazon at the moment is described as "fair" and offered for £232.65.

Only £10 + £3.50 postage.

It was Ian who said that yesterday at 4:51pm. Sometimes, for whatever reason, the software on here will quote someone other than the originator, as having made the statement. In this case me. It's done it across me a couple of times as well.

Judge for yourself. This is how Bramah describes the 25c:-

He only refers to the eight and nothing else.

Jon, that is definitely a Bramah 25c. Just because one indicator isn't there, doesn't rule it out. Bramah makes no mention of the A. They're not all going to be identical in every detail.

Thanks Ian - checked on all the extra details you outlined above. They're all there on my coin. As you say, this must almost certainly arise form a single die pairing. The die crack is very noticeable. As I said, only the second one I've spotted in 7 months of looking. So I think £40 is a reasonable price for a scarce coin in good condition.

Absolutely crucial, especially in these days of more and more sales moving online, accelerated by the pandemic. A simple, logical, well laid out and user friendly website is essential. One where you don't have to waste time and get frustrated trying to find things/register/sign it etc. Doesn't have to be attractive, that's not important. Just easy to use and navigate.

Very pleased with the Bramah 25c 1858/? I've just bought from Nathan Smith. Just £40 and in EF. Not certain of their true scarcity or otherwise, but it's only the second one I've seen, and the first one, which I bought for £25, is a battered sub fine, with signs of rubbed letters. Maybe sometime cleaned, but certainly re-toning. link to e bay sale

First thing I noticed. Reminded me of Baldwins.

Thanks Pete.

Does he have any stock listed for sale anywhere? He refers to a list 33 which I can't seem to find. When you use the magnifying glass to look things up, they all seem to be sold. Maybe it's me being thick, but it's like no other dealer's site I've seen. Can anybody point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance. link