1949threepence

My back garden is currently receiving a makeover, myself having now decided that the eco friendly letting it go wild excuse for lazy gits, just didn't work. Looked a shambles. The guy who's doing it has only been three times and already it looks transformed. Still a bit more to do though. Only charged me just over £600 so far for what looks like really hard work over 5 hour days - that's less than I'd spend on many coins. When he's finished I'm giving him a substantial tip, he deserves it. Also had turf put in at the top of the garden (where it looked a particular mess) and new fence panels. I'm not a pretty colourful flowers guy, but I do like bushes, trees and greenery. I'll post some pics when done (for what it's worth) Lucky with the turf as the installer emphasised the need to keep it watered in the first 2 or 3 weeks. But there was so much rain I didn't need to bother.

I know on the occasions I've spoken to you on the phone, Bob, I'd never have guessed that you were originally from the West Midlands, the accent from which is highly distinctive as we know. You sound like a guy from the South. It's funny, some people never lose their original accent, whereas others, probably the majority, do. I've lived in Warwickshire since 2001, and didn't think I'd lost my Essex accent - but when I return home, they say my accent has changed, and I pronounce some words differently. As for the 11mph limit, no idea. There may be a perfectly logical reason for it, although this is the 21st century, so logic probably doesn't enter the equation. I'd suggest to @blakeyboy that he contact the relevant council, but I'm not sure there's any point.

Sympathies Eric. I know how you feel for different reasons. I suppose in such a situation you could always got to bed 3 hours early the night before, but that's never as simple as it sounds. I think I'd be sharper bidding at 5am - especially if it was light outside - than at midnight.

It's a pity LCGS (UK organisation attached to London Coins Auction) no longer grade and slab coins. Their grading was excellent (IMO) and the slabs never had any trace of annoying detritus trapped in the capsule. Personally though I don't like slabs and invariably smash them open to free the coin, as soon as I receive one.

No expert on farthings, but generally speaking, I don't think Peck and Freeman obverses always match up. They certainly don't for pennies.

It'll be interesting to see if anyone does bite, and if they don't, whether they will start to lower the price - they're already inviting offers. It's a hell of a lot to ask for such a bog standard coin, condition wise. The large rose, large date is scarce, but not desperately rare.

Coopers Coins are asking £675 for this quite ordinary large rose, large date penny - link I got mine - a better example than that - also as a BIN in April 2021 for just £155 from emeeco. Another instance of a huge price rise (although obviously there will be some natural variation from one dealer to another in any case, but not that much).

Although it doesn't appear to have been banned by the BBC - link

If only Terence Cuneo were still around. He could have done a magnificent job.

This is how it should look (apparently). At least it's straight, but it's still a total mess. The wheels aren't in contact with the rails - they appear to be above them - and the smaller wheels are totally out of alignment with the other wheels. Correct that they're a different size, but they must be dead level at rail contact, not one set above or below the other. That's just absurd. This is how it actually looks - from a perfect perspective. Picture taken in 1924.

Christ, that's dreadful. Are they that utterly inept, or is somebody deliberately taking the wotsit? It should be sitting dead straight on the track, not at a weird angle. Also, the wheels aren't flush with the rails - looks a bit like a partially derailed loco.

and the last two words "in bed"

When you think of some of the songs that were around in the 1960's and 70's, you know there would be uproar today as some would cry, take offence, need counselling etc. Such songs as "Maxwell's silver hammer" by the Beatles and "I'm gonna get me a gun" by Cat Stevens. Of course, just recently, there was a problem with Tom Jones's "Delilah". The Welsh Rugby Union banning it. Good luck with stopping the crowd singing it. Also, how about one that I heard for the first time just last year "Wet Dream" by Max Romeo, copyright 1969 - I just listened in disbelief. Incredible. Got into the charts, but the BBC wouldn't play it. You could hear it on some of the pirate radio stations, apparently.

There's also another one I heard - "a policeman's truncheon can be used for cunning stunts, as well as......"

Yes, it will be a lot. Poor chap died of what was then called "full blown aids" in the days before it became a much more manageable condition.

Precisely. It hits you in the eye that it's a fake, even though he does admit it's a copy. But to ask £155 for it, is a complete insult. Yes, he is in any case very pricey, but I'm just surprised he's trying a stunt like this.

I truly can't get my head round why an experienced and respected seller of such long standing is trying to pass a "copy" - modern fake, for £155. link

At page 407, Peck does make reference to "bronzed current pieces" of which the 1857 is one. Although at page 405 he casts doubt on the authenticity of the bronzing.

"prooflike" The obverse rim is thicker than usual, and it's a very nice coin. I've no reason to doubt it's a specimen based on what was said. But I do think it comes down to personal opinion, as opposed to being definitively certain.

I actually bought the Copthorne 1874H F74 penny in 2016, which is an example of a "specimen" strike. Although I only went on what was said. In truth I'm not actually sure either way. For all I know it might just be a F73 in a decent state of preservation. There's nothing specific to mark it out as anything special. Although if necessary I've no doubt I'd still be able to pass it on as a specimen based on past acceptance. See what you think:-

I still maintain there are many nice or "early strike" currency coins being wrongly passed as proofs, with the consequent massive uplift in cost for potential customers. I'd imagine these are a mixture of genuine error and deliberate cynical attempts to deceive. Virtually impossible to distinguish between the two, hence the fraudsters get away with it. Especially if they've also fooled NGC. My own rule of thumb is that some coins hit you in the eye as very obvious genuine proofs, as soon as you see them. I'd stick to them. Alternatively, some you know that cannot be anything other than a proof, such as the 1839 mentioned earlier, the KP31 1806 copper, bronzed copper and gilt proofs with the incomplete 0 & 1 in the date, and the R97 & R98 Taylor re-strikes with the tiny collection of rust spots at the base of the second A on the reverse. Slightest doubt, steer clear.

The mindset of "just stop oil", is one of making life annoying for others who are completely unrelated to the issue.

Yes, the superb LCA specimen you mention, went in December 2009 for £950 hammer. I do remember the Dave Craddock one, but obviously there was no photo and it had gone by the time I enquired. The PT isn't that difficult to get in high grade. It's the OT that's seemingly difficult. Yes, they would be very collectable, Ian.

I thought that.