Peckris

It's not so much a conflict of interest, as they're the same people! In other words Stephen Lockett et al. Since CGS is grading the coin, which in turn determines what valuation category the coin will reside in, then that same party owns or controls the Auction (or sale)...then that condition creates a sale that is not "arms length" in nature! If a sale is not "arms length"...the sale has a conflict of interest! It is the same way in Real Estate Sales. The American Housing market went South as a result of this same condition, when the Banks also owned the Appraisal Company (conflict if interest) that valuated the residence for sale. As a result U.S. Government backed loans now must go through a middle man, between the Bank and the Appraisal Company, Called a AMC (appraisal Management Company). The AMC provides a buffer, or independent Party between the Buyer and Seller. I don't think this buffer exists at CGS and London Auctions. That's more or less what I was saying. In other words, "they're the same people" and should make that known to all and sundry. In a way though, it's not a conflict of interest to them - only to outsiders, and as I say, that relationship should be clear and transparent.

Very nice!

Let us know how you get on with that? If it works out, it looks like a very useful piece of kit for the money especially as the lights are also included.

Definitely teeth. Beads are slightly 'inboard' of the rim, with a small gap between the two. Even on very worn specimens you can see the whole bead(s) in one or two places, and they're quite unmistakeable. As Michael's example shows, the first obverse teeth were really quite short and can be confused for beads by the inexperienced eye.

It's not so much a conflict of interest, as they're the same people! In other words Stephen Lockett et al.

You want to stay away from Scottish hammered, especially if you're in Glasgae on a Saturday night. Not a pretty sight and you better have a car close by with its engine running.

Hi The problem with 1919H (and all the 1918/19 H/KN pennies) is that the dies they were supplied with by the Royal Mint got used to death, which is why 'early strikes' from a good die in top grade are so rare, especially when you consider all 4 varieties are scarce coins anyway. Ironically, 1919H is probably the commonest of the 4 by a distance, so why it's so rare in high grades is anyone's guess. My own 19H is EF everywhere except for George V's hair/ear details which are F+ at the very best. It's quite clearly a coin from a very worn die, but it didn't cost me a huge amount so I'm not too distressed about it. But your dealer friend may have had one that was equally poor (i.e., worn die) but may not known too much about these?

No pictures? He wouldn't sell an "Unc" 19H without them! I'm not surprised he backed out in a hurry - it was probably GVF at best.

An UNC 1919H WOULD be rare - it's probably second only to the KN in top grade!

You don't need a DSLR for coins. You said your compact has a macro setting? That's all you need.

Probably because Joe Public was too busy searching for the "ultra rare" Queen-wearing-a-necklace 1997 one, then going into spontaneous orgasm (repeat several million times) when he found one.

Me too. So now I'm sitting on the Naughty Step. Wearing a plastic case of course

Maybe try looking for a table top tripod, John. Mine cost me abut £12. Declan Could you point me in the way of your table top tripod.? Will it take a DSLR or compact only.I have both with macro.? Thanx Peter Mine (1970s) is KAISER make - I saw recently they're still in business. Worth a Google?

1898 pennies in top grades were always difficult (for some reason), and that goes right back to the 60s and maybe beyond. I will say one thing for TPGs - I was reading through my digital letters just the other day and came across one to a regular advertiser in Coin News, returning both items he'd sent me, both at least one grade less than described. (The prices were about right, but not the bargains or upgrades I thought I was getting). He shall remain nameless of course, but a TPG would soon sort him out.

Not so keen on them TBH. I'd much rather go to a ruined castle or some out-of-the-way beauty spot than traipse around a stately home. Seen one giant room stuffed floor to ceiling with 2nd rate Gainsboroughs, roped off from plebby fingers, seen 'em all!

I agree - I have an 1858 with all the digits 'recut' in this way, but even more so. What we see here is almost the norm for 19th Century coppers, except on early issues from a particular die. It is less pronounced with the bronze series.

Good point - the worst damage seems to be roughly where the bust would be in highest relief.

Listen, if they could find Rolf Harris guilty, what chance does The Bachelor Boy have? Still, at least he never released "Two Little Boys"...

I'm not quite sure what you mean about "the image's magnifier"? Most images don't come with a magnifier unlike software. If the image files are that big, I'm not sure my email Inbox has enough free space left? I wonder if you could just reduce the image to the date part and upload here - I'd still be interested to see it.

It doesn't look to me like a 'classic acid attack'. For one thing, there's a huge disparity between different elements of the design : the legend and date appear virtually intact, as does the small shamrock; yet the large shamrock is almost gone, while the rose and leek have intermediate damage. A classic acid attack is not entirely uniform either yet it generally looks much more even than that.

Rilly? I thort it was speling not gramar. Or was it bothe. Memmory faddes with age...

Peck, Do you have any decimal coins in your collection? Mark I do indeed! Many of the proof sets, some of the scarcer pre-BU-set items, and quite a few of the official issues (snapped up for bargain prices at auction ) However, I think you missed my little Welsh joke.

One might think that would be true, but apparently it isn't. Here's some analysis I found: The belief that Scottish independence would consign the rest of the UK to permanent Conservative government is one that inspires hope among Tories and despair among Labour. But both overestimate the influence of Scotland on general elections. On no occasion since 1945 would independence have changed the identity of the winning party and on only two occasions would it have converted a Labour majority into a hung parliament (1964 and October 1974). Without Scotland, Labour would still have won in 1945 (with a majority of 143, down from 146), in 1966 (75, down from 98), in 1997 (137, down from 179), in 2001 (127, down from 166) and in 2005 (43, down from 66). I think the demise of Labour governments is just wishful thinking. I would expect the prospect of more Tory governments to squeeze the Lib-Dems, who are essentially left of centre anyway and merge their votes with Labour. You mean the "demise of TORY governments" surely, Rob?

"no" for "know" - you're not an eBay seller by any chance PWA? (I jest, I jest )

I just don't agree about the Wales Commonwealth Games £2 - there's so many of these they are a dragon the market...