Peckris

Does anyone know if Stephen Lockett (London Coins) is related to THE Lockett?

Replicas, fakes, forgeries ... it's a grey area. To take 1933 pennies as a single example. There is a replica (of sorts) which varies so much in essence from the original design, that no-one with any numismatic knowledge or experience would be taken in for a moment. They aren't stamped, but I wouldn't grumble if eBay enforced their removal, as a total newbie could be taken advantage of, and they are available elsewhere. But what about genuine Geo V pennies that have been expertly altered so that the last digit is a 3? If sold as a fake, people seem prepared to pay a few hundred quid for them, knowing them not to be the genuine article. It would be a shame if eBay removed those too, even if the description clearly stated it was not a genuine 1933.

You could look at Dave Groom's book - "The Identification of British 20th Century Silver Coin Varieties" which goes into greater depth than Davis.

Mint-sealed bags of many dates in the 60s (most denominations) were commonly advertised in the late 60s. Although these were sold between 1.5 and 5 times face value, their value slumped after 1971 and are still so common that they will never realise much more than face value, or intrinsic metal value. 1967 being the last year of predecimal coins is not relevant - all coins minted from 1967 to 1970 carried the date 1967, so they are among the commonest of all coins.

Well yes - but obviously I was talking about the obverse one! (His clearly wouldn't be the reverse one... )

I didn't know sulphur had a liver

Hunt down the collector who's got the double header and has been wondering, "I wonder what date it is?"

The 1933 Lavrillier patterns have a different portrait from the normal (you can see one in the Collections area on Colin Cooke's website). What you show above isn't even the standard 1933 obverse - it's pre-1927, probably pre-1922. It's just a penny that's been sliced in two. There is only one uniface 1933 by the way, and it's accounted for.

And DavidR too?

Yes, the top one definitely looks suspect especially compared to the lower one.

Your coin is most likely to be an 'antoninianus', which was the equivalent of the silver denarius in later Roman Imperial times. Essentially it was a bronze coin that was just washed with silver, and nowadays turn up anywhere from fully silvered to just bronze or any stage between.

It seems it is a rare item.

From my memory of Roman history, and the letters SABIN on the obverse, it could be a commemorative of the rape of the Sabine women? The reverse appears to show women being carried off. Apart from this, I can't help much. Here's a similar item on eBay - it seems my hunch was right: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Roman-Republic-Sabinus-89BC-Rare-Silver-Ancient-Coin-Rape-of-Sabine-i28426-/230811767964

The problem with the shuv--ha'penny theory is that it's always the reverse that wears flat - obverses (Ed VII Geo V) were rarely worn that badly, and were a grade and a half better at least. The real cause of the problem was 1) the depth of the Geo V portrait and 2) the shallow reverse rims. Rims were better on pennies and farthings which didn't suffer so badly.

Yes, very much better IMO. It looks more naturally toned. Certainly a GVF obverse, I'll wait to see the reverse.

I'd repeat what I said a few years ago in relation to 1957 halfpennies, if anyone is interested: I would regard the 1957 'calm sea' 'wavy sea' varieties hover between major and minor - yes, you have to look at just one feature (the waves), but it is a glaringly obvious difference in my opinion and I'd personally rank it as a major variety. What I would term 'micro' are the precise differences between the ship on the reverse of each date of Elizabeth II halfpenny. Each one is a minutely different size, but not interesting at all (to me, anyway). As for the precise position of the 7 in the date on 'calm sea' halfpennies, that seems the ultimate in 'micro' to me.

My understanding - correct me if I'm wrong - is that banks won't take them, but the Royal Mint still will. But probably not worth it unless you have quantity.

"retaining much originality"... Er, what, exactly?

You could try washing it GENTLY in pure soapy water and a completely non-abrasive cloth (micro-fibre, like they give out with spectacles), then wash and dab dry with a clean towel (don't wipe dry). It that makes little or no difference, come back and ask what your next options are. I agree with the GVF/NEF grade. but only for wear not for eye appeal, which as has been said, is limited.

Bun pennies would quite often turn up in VG, usually dated between 1889 and 1892, or 1875. Pre-1925 halfpennies would often have reverses no better than Poor, or even flat, so bun halfpennies were probably mostly withdrawn. It did make my finding a 1909 halfpenny in GVF+ rather special though.

Talking of Liverpool men... What's the difference between UKIP and a toilet? A toilet has a seat!

He's done a whole series of these! Just Google and see what he turns Night Fever into...

Under £1k? Ok, here goes (though 5 is a bit limiting!): 1. 1797 cartwheel twopence, or one of its proofs 2. You won't get a Vic Gothic crown, but a BU florin would be a good consolation 3. A BU bun penny, preferably from the first 4 years (v expensive otherwise..) 4. A BU George V wreath crown, or the 1927 FDC 5. A BU 1949 brass 3d But there are loads of other options. E.g. an Edward VII BU halfcrown, and there's his florin too.

Ha, true! I just like the way he threw Mrs May's Brexit mantra back in her face.