RLC35

Here is an unusual 1854 Half Penny I found recently. It has a "A" for the "V" in Victoria. I have seen a "V" used for an "A" before (unbarred A), but never the reverse, like this one. Attached are pic's.

Josie, I like the coin history page. Thanks for posting.

Below is a Copy of the Marsh book, available to the USA. They want $57.17, plus about $10 for S&H. It is available from www.abebooks.com. . Stock Image The Gold Half-Sovereign (ISBN: 0950692956 / 0-9506929-5-6) Michael A. Marsh Bookseller: Revaluation Books (Exeter, DEV, United Kingdom) Bookseller Rating: Quantity Available: 1 Book Description: Michael A.Marsh. Hardcover. Book Condition: Brand New. In Stock. Delivery: UK usually 4-5 days, Europe/USA/ROW 7-10 days. Bookseller Inventory # zk0950692956 Bookseller & Payment Information | More Books from this Seller | Ask Bookseller a Question Price: US$ 57.18 Convert Currency Shipping: US$ 9.56 From United Kingdom to U.S.A. Destination, Rates & Speeds

Have you tried Able Books? www.abebooks.com... They might have it.

Gary, I just sent you my pic's.

Hi Dagz06 Welcome to the Forum!

That's great information, thanks! The only places I have definatly set on currently are London, Bath/Chawton, but I am sure I will be adding others. My biggest problem, is I don't get to spend all my time chasing coins down. My wife thinks coins are only made to spend, and I will require some care in adjusting "her" schedule to match mine. I am sure my fellow numismatists don't have that problem! LOL! The idea of visiting Baldwin's is a good one. I met Stephen Hill, at last years New York International Coin Fair, and purchased a really nice (EF) 1843, with colon, penny from him. I'll probably make that visit for sure. Are there any coin dealers in the Portabello Road Market (Near Notting Hill)? I am going to take my wife there, and that would be great, if a couple of dealers were there also! LOL!

Midland, and Scotland both sound great. We haven't got our itenerary completed yet...maybe we will have to make two trips to the Great Britain! LOL! I've got a few months yet to complete the trip plan, before July. I am sure it will be an interesting visit. Thanks for the tips! <ggg>.

Peter, That's good advice. I just happen to be on London Coins mailing list, since I registered for one of their auctions, a couple of years ago. I don't think I have ever bought anything off of them. My favorite English Dealer is Michael Gouby. I have purchased his books, as well as a few coins from him..in fact one time he thought he had overcharged me for postage, and sent me $20.00 back with my coin shipment! Your mention of a Greek Island sounds interesting, however my next trip will be to visit London this summer. A visit to Michael's shop, The Portabello Market, and Jane Austens home are on the list for sure, as well as the Tower, and the other usual tourist traps! LOL!

It sounds like the general consensus is they (London Coins) are overpriced before the planned increase!<gggg>.

Here is a email I received from London Coins. ********************************************* Dear Client Shortly we intend to review the price of our stock, and expect in the majority of cases it will be upwards in line with general market trends. In the meantime we have decided to hold a January sale for our client list and you can enjoy the following discounts from the stock for sale on our web site, for all orders received before Jan 31st 2011. 10% Reduction on any stock purchased before January 31st 2011. For orders in excess of £1,000 15% reduction. For orders in excess of £2,500 20% reduction. See our website www.londoncoins.co.uk and select from the home page icon HIGH QUALITY BRITISH COINS FOR SALE This offer does not include the gold bullion coins we offer. ANY COINS YOU MAY WISH TO VIEW OR COLLECT WE CAN BRING TO THE RACE COURSE YORK SHOW THIS COMING FRIDAY Please contact me on 01474 871464 most of our stock will not be there unless requested. Regards, Semra Cetin London Coins LTD ******************************************************************** The prices at London Coins seems very high to me as they are now...so what's with the price increase....I guess the recession is over in Great Britain! BTW...the recession is still on over here! LOL!

Peck, Carole Towler also advertised in "Coin World" here in the USA, and that is how I made contact with her. Everything was done by mail back then, and I spent a lot of time ordering, offering bids, etc. for English coins from her. She seemed to drop out of sight in the late 60's, and I never knew if she retired, quit the business, moved, or what. I still have some of the coins I purchased from her. She was great to deal with. As for appreciating someone who is "hot"...I still remember how that goes...some things you never forget! LOL!

While we are asking questions about former dealers...I have one I use to deal with, years ago (60's), Carole Towler, Does anyone remember or know of her? I think she was from Brighton.

IZAX, As a way of promoting the coins into the hands of young collectors, you might issue some of the coins to the local Boy Scouts Councils, and Girl Scouts Councils, with the condition that they be awarded to young people who pass their "coin collecting" merit badge requirements. What a nice surprise, and reward, to young scouts who are wishing to become more knowledgeable about numismatics.

Gouby estimates in his book that only about 400,000 1869 Pennies were minted with the 1869 date, the balance of the 2.5 million coins were dated 1868! If the 1844 Farthing is the same way, it is a lot scarcer than the 430,080 amount that is quoted in the references. Here is my 1844!

Azda, Die cracks are very common...but 1844 Farthings are not! LOL! They are very scarce!

Happy New Year Sion (and all!)! I hope you are having a great New Years!

The Krause Books are a really good World Reference, since they cover so many countries and types of coins. I agree with Peter on the pricing issue though...it isn't always very accurate. Part of the problem is that the Krause Books are not updated yearly. Since they are four (4) volumes, Krause updates the books, usually one at a time, and thus some books can be 2 or 3 years old before the pricing is updated. I still find them to be a good reference.

Colin, I use the QX5 on two systems, one with XP and the other with Vista. I would not even be using Vista, but I bought a new portable (Dell XPS M2010) a couple of years back, and Dell would only sell it with Vista. I hate Vista! I would buy Windows 7 for the new system, but I want to wait and see if it is just another Microsoft problem OS before I do! LOL!

Let me add my Holiday Greetings to All, from the Racing Capital of the World...Indianapolis! Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to my fellow Numismatists!

I bought a QX5, right after they came out for $49.00. It works great on XP or Vista! The QX5 is the one that is shown in the link from Amazon.com. They use to be sold at Toys "R" Us.

Declan, This is really good stuff, Thanks! BTW...I have a uncirculated 1902 LT Half Penny. Got it off of Mark Rassmussen!

Derek, Here is a sample page of the "Grey Sheet" from the USA. I hope it came through ok, it is a .pdf file. You can get a current sample copy for $4.00 (can be downloaded also). BTW...the spread is generally 30%! grey.pdf