RLC35

I probably wouldn't have noticed the missing denticles myself...but after looking at the coin,it really is an unusual piece. One side of the coin has perfectly formed denticles, and the other side has about 50% of the coin without denticles, though it still has a full rim! I'm not sure how that could have happened. It really is a study!

Colin, What is the exact code to use to obtain the reduced VAT tax of 5%...is it 9705000020, or 03001?

Azda, I do have a spare room, but there are no "client services!" You have to make your own bed, and breakfast...the same as I do. Retirement was supposed to be a life of leisure, but my wife says she is retired also, and refuses to work anymore! <gggg> Peter, The "Sunny Florida" thing sounds pretty good. If I do that, I'll have 3 bedrooms to let! LOL! Gary, I'll do it, send me a PM with what you want, and we will work it out. A small package can be sent to the UK for about $2.00 cheapest way! This is what I use for low value coins.

Just.me I am sure you have everyone looking at their farthings now, to see if they have an example like yours! LOL! I am sorry to say that all of mine are the correct number 1....darn it! <ggggg>

Generic Lad, Dansco makes blank albums, and pages, with holes of different mm sizes that can be used for coins of Great Britain. You can also mix and match the coin size openings to match the different coins sizes of pennies, farthings, etc. I have my British coins in Dansco Supreme Albums, and they work out great. I also use clear labels to identify the individual coins. An added advantage to Dansco is...they will imprint the cover with whatever titles you want. It all works out to a nice set of albums.

Its probably a Half Farthing! They are pretty common.

Accumulator, You are right...headlines tend to be effected by either optimism or pessimism (sp) ! LOL!

Scott, You are correct, it is a cent, not a penny. With that said, in the USA we use both terms to designate our "Cents!" A sampling of that fact is in the news release about the sale of the "Cent." One of the first pennies ever produced by the US Mint has sold for over $1m. Bids for the 1792 Silver Center penny reached $1.15m (£713,000) at an auction on Thursday night (April 19), ABC News reports. The rare penny is made of copper with a small silver plug at its center and was produced as an experiment by the US Mint, which axed the penny before it went into mass circulation, deeming it too large and heavy for practical use. Todd Imhof of Heritage Auctions said that the coin bears the inscription 'Liberty Parent of Science & Industry', rather than today's 'In God We Trust'. "At the time, industry and science reflected an enlightenment mindset," he added. "People believed freedom of thought and industrial growth would bind and unify the new country, not religion or God. "With collectible items, for an item to sell for over a million dollars, it is an unusual event." An anonymous collector, who had owned the penny for ten years, sold the coin. A coin of the same type sold for nearly $3m (£1.86m) over a year ago.

Paulas, I am not sure buyers in the USA pay more, as most of my UK coins are sold to clients in the UK, but I have noticed a subtle increase in English coin sales in the USA. Tom, You mentioned about English coins coming home...about 2 years ago I sold a F33 Penny (1861, 6 over 8) to an UK client, and his comment was...I'm glad the coin is coming home...so you may have something there. BTW that coin sale made the "View From the Bay" in the Coin News.

Tom, Using population as a guide, there are 5 times the number of collectors in the USA, compared to the UK. USA Population 313,500,000 UK 62,250,000

There seems to be no limit to the amount some investors will pay for rare coins. The last time a 1804 Dollar was sold (8 known) it brought $4,140,000, and the last 1913 nickel (5 known) sold for $3,737,500. Did somebody say there was a recession! <gggg>

I attended the Central States Numismatic Society (CSNS) Convention in Chicago yesterday. It is a 3 day Convention. While I was there, Heritage Auctions of Dallas, Texas sold a 1792 U.S. Penny for $1,150,000 (including sales commission of 15%). The 1792 penny that was sold, is one of only 14 known.

Happy Birthday Dave, Many Happy Returns of the Day!

It seems that the American's just never have warmed up to the small size Dollar (Anthony, etc.). I don't think they will ever be used, unless the one Dollar bill is discontinued, which is a possibility. Currently the Mint is suspending Small sized Dollar production, since all the Banks are full of them, due to lack of acceptance by the public. If the Dollar Bill was discontinued, the government would benefit, since the Dollar coin would last up to 10 times longer than the current Dollar bill, in circulation. The Eisenhower Dollars, while occasionally available in Banks for face value, still brings a premium at local Coin Club Auctions. A roll of 20 coins usually brings $25.00 at the local auctions.

I think John is right about reputable sources! Making things right is a personal thing, that is part of doing business. I am a Dealer/Member of the ANA (American Numismatic Association) and as a member I sign onto the ANA Code of ethics, which includes a mediator to handle disputes that are not able to be adjusted between the parties! I think this is a good way of doing business. The thought of a Mediator, encourages that disputes be handled between the two parties, and they usually are. BTW... I have never had a dispute with the ANA! (Knock on wood!) As for the eBay Guarantee... I proceed, with eBay business, as though this guarantee doesn't exist...because in practice it seldom does. Example: I bought a fake coin for $3,000. I entered a case with eBay, and they dropped it like a hot potato, and referred me to PayPal, who is the guaranteeing party. I won the case, but since the seller only had a feedback of 47, the rules were not the same. The $2,000 guarantee (at the time) changed to $200.00 for sellers with less than 50 feedback. I was awarded the guarantee of $200.00 (less PayPal's deductable of $25.00), so I ended up with $175.00. The seller in this case was allowed to continue selling on eBay with no restrictions, he was suspended from using PayPal for 30 days! I like to use eBay, now and then, but you have to be aware of its shortfalls, which are many. As a foot note...I think eBay is getting better (though more expensive!) LOL!

The obverse has the ear intact, and has sharp lettering. I would grade it GF The reverse has the face worn completely, which at best would grade it barely Fine, but the full date makes up for that, so I would grade that side Fine to GF Overall I think the coin would grade at least fine, but more probably Good Fine. Personal Opinion only! LOL!

If anyone wants a really nice "Proof" copy of the 1933 Double Eagle, $20 Gold piece, I have 4 left! They come in a plastic holder, in a plush case. They look like the real thing, but are copies, and are marked as such. They are $8.00 each, plus $5.00 S&H to Great Britain. PM me if you want one.

Send me the few quarters that you need, to finish the book out (5-6 as I recall), and I will see if I can pick them up for you.

Another recent find, a little more scarce than the 1846 Penny, is my new 1870 "Dot!" This coin is not listed in Freeman, but is footnoted in Freeman, to the 1870, by footnote #16. Has anyone else actually seen on of these?

Thanks! I thought I was pretty lucky finding it. You don't find too many in the 1840's over here for sale.

Here is a new addition for me...a nice 1846 Penny. I got it at the Long Beach Coin Expo, in California. The Exposition Center is only a few block away from Long Beach Harbor, where the Queen Mary is docked. The "Queen" is now a hotel, and restaurant complex. The ship looks like the Titanic, setting right up against the dock. It is a beautiful ship!

I've tried Verdicare...it doesn't work! At least it didn't for me.

It is easy to tell if the coin is real (U.S.)Gold or not...just dip it in muratic acid! If it is a authentic U.S. Gold coin, nothing will happen to the coin. If it is not, it will change color, and begin to be acted upon by the acid. If this $20 gold coin was obtained in 1948, its gold value would be $28.80 worth of gold (90% pure, 24 carat gold). The U.S. set gold value at $32.00 per ounce at that time. It was also against the law, at that time to own U.S. gold coins, in the United States.

I have taken these prices from the 2011 Red Book! 1914 St Gauden's $20 gold $1,550 in EF 1921 St Gauden's $20 gold $37,500 in EF If the one coin is a real 1921...you have hit the jackpot!

excellent strategy Dave...I like it! <ggggg>.