RLC35

Ira Goldberg bought it for an "unidentified" private party, at least that was the write up in the "Numismatist" this week.

Russ, You've probably heard about "die cracks" where the crack shows on the surface of a finished coin...well what you have is a "die break." That is a condition where part of the die has actually broken, and come off, and is missing when the coin is struck. I am sure the coin presses were stopped very soon after this coin was struck, so that the broken die could be replaced. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Derek, Nicely put. BTW Scott...you are correct about Michael Freeman, he is British.

Here is my coin. It is not as pronounced as yours, but very different than any of the others that I have.

I looked at 8 pennies I have, and only found one (1) that had the bump on the nose. It is not quite as pronounced as your copy, but is definatly bigger than the other 7 coins. I tried to send a copy of it, but the file was too big. I will have to adjust my camera, and send it later.

If money was not a concern, I would own this 1827 Penny (MS63). It was sold by Colin Cooke for some ungodly amount. It is only one of two 1827 pennies in this grade.

Attached are some close up pictures of the "E" (x60) that shows multiple cracks coming from the rim, and extending through the character "E." While a multiple restrike (repair) of the "E" probably did occur, it might also be that some of the change could have been caused by debris stuck to the die during this time period. This debris probably was caused by the breaking (cracking) of the die. I have conversed with Michael Gouby about the issue, and he also feels that could be a contributing factor too. Thanks to all for your input!

Go for it Reluctant! LOL!

If you google for "Deller's Darkener" you will get a dozen of places that sell it. It is about $3.75 for enough to last 5 years of use! I don't know what kind of chemical reaction that it provides, but I do know, if you get it too dark, you can lighten it a shade or two by using Olive Oil on it. It is best to practice on a few older coins before using it on something of value.

Only my opinion, but if they are only fillers and you didn't pay to much why bother toning them down? Azda, You can buy a Bronze / Copper retoner called Deller's Darkener. It will retone shiney B/C coins. Practice on some old coins first though. <ggggg>.

I have a 1877 Penny that has a very unusual downward Spike in the middle extension of the "E" in ONE! Has anyone else ran upon this variety? I don't see it listed in the catelog, but thought I would bring it forward for discussion. It probably is a recut letter, but for the life of me I can't decide what the original letter would have been. Here is a pic of the coin.

I would grade it VF. It is not rare, as 45,707,957 were minted. A nice example though.

There is a impression below the bun and above the bow, that looks like it might be part of the impression of Britannia's arm...maybe the impressions you are referring to, may also be an extension of that impression. I also noticed the crack you were referring to from the edge of the coin thru the letters. It appears that the die was nearing the end of its useful life. I think you made a wise choice by not raising the bid. <ggg>.

David, That looks like a clashed die for sure. Look under Victoria's chin, you can clearly see the knee impression of Britannia, from the reverse of the coin.

I think we all go that message...at least it sounds like it. I started to go onto the site, but my McAfee program warned me not to enter the site, as it contained MALware. Delete! LOL! Bob C.

Happy Birthday Colin. I hope your day is GREAT! Bob C.

Happy Birthday Tom!! Happy B-Day Tom! Many Happy returns of the day. Bob C.

You often see blast white silver on ebay, haven't thay been ultrasound cleared. Isn't that where the term "whizzed" comes from? Gary, Whizzed means that something has been cleaned by buffing (hand) or electronic (small cottonwheel buffer). This type of cleaning always leaves fine lines, and thus devalues the coin. As ultrasonic cleaners go, they aren't much help. I had one, and never did get satisfactory results. The ultrasonic unit will not harm a coin however, as long as you only use water. Some people also use a light acidic cleaner as well, which is another matter.

Scott, Those are nice Indian Heads! Especially the obverse of the 1882.

I am not an expert but I have read that some people have concerns about coins slabbed by SGS. Reports that if the same coin would be sent to either PCGS or NGC they coins would come back grades lower. From the pics, these don't look like an high end slabbed coin. Here is a picture of a PCGS slabbed buffalo nickel. Ken Kena, That is an extremely well struck 1937 Buffalo nickel. Those nickels are usually not struck that well. Being a 3 legger, it is really scarce...but there are a lot of forgeries out there on that coin, so if you are buying it, make sure it is legitimate.

Digger, The coin has little or no value with the scratch on it...may $.75. It would only be a temporary "hole filler."

Chris is correct. The coin is a USA V-Nickle. The 1901 is one of the most common of the series. You can pick them up (1901) at a coin show for .50 to $1.00. If you have a 1913, or 1912-S it is definately another matter though. There is going to be a 1913 (there are only five of them) that will come up for auction in the very near future. It is expected to bring between 3 and 5 million dollars!

400 for a penny, That is really good advice! Who knows, they might even become a collector as a result!

B&C, I am going to be at the New York show on Friday, 1/8/09. I am staying at the same hotel as the show is being held. If you are going to be there that day, let me know, and we can meet and put a face to the name! I know you , like me, will spend most of our time on the Bourse Floor, but it would be nice to take some time to say hello. I talked to Michael Gouby earlier this week, and he is not going, but he said a friend of his was setting up a table. He didn't say who the friend was though, so I don't know if it is anyone we would know or not. Are any of you other Forum Members attending? I have made my first date error of the year...make the date 1/8/2010 for the NYINC visit, not 1/8/09! LOL!