Bernie

The reason for the question mark for 1881 9+M was because the only one recorded at that time was very worn and it was at that time not known whether there was or was not originally an "H" below the date. It was probably known at that time that a proof example 9+M existed without an "H" below the date. For those readers who may not know... The currency 9+M does in fact have an "H" below the date. The 1882 pennies without "H" were probably struck to test the dies in 1881.

You wish !!!! Richard

If you think obverse 5,6 and 7 are difficult to differentiate, try establishing difference between obverse 11 and 12. I have tested out this difficulty with leading halfpenny collectors. Including Iain, No agreement could be reached whether coin was 11 or 12. My conclusion is that if the differences are that unclear, there is no justification for 11 and 12 to be considered separate varieties!

I used to buy coins and sets from the Royal Mint for many years. I do not recall exactly of which year, (~1979) but I decided to buy a proof sovereign from them. I ordered the coin and had to wait for them to start minting. That month the price of gold rocketed. I had a letter from the mint saying that due to huge demand the coins minted were going to have to go into some sort of lottery and therefore I may not necessarily get one. A month or so went buy and a friend at work managed to get one from the mint. He was not a coin collector and had never bought a coin before. He applied to buy a coin from the mint because the price of the coins were fixed at the original offer price. This brilliant investment price was mentioned in national newspapers after the gold price rise. I did not get one of the sovereigns. I complained to the mint by letter, saying that they should have looked after their regular customers first. I realised that the RM was just a money making machine . I have not bought a coin from them since and never will. I wouldn't buy a coin from them at half of it's spending value. (that's a lie ! I would buy a hundred thousand pound of pound coins for £50,000 !)

I've seen a lot worse. I expect it will sell.

I have now had a chance to examine the 1953 BB/TB penny from the Spink 2014 auction. I now believe the coin is a currency striking and not a sandblasted coin/die (definitely not a proof)

Definitely a Freeman 6, dies 1+B (Gouby 1860E dies C+

I do not believe that the 1860 missing colon dot pennies were due to the die being clogged by the bronze, but deliberate filling of the working die or more likely the erasing of the dots on the working hub. At lease two different die pairs have been used for producing the known examples of these missing colon dot pennies. There are quite a few variations of colon spacing and colon positioning of these Obverse 4 pennies, probably due to the missing colon working dies being punched by hand with colon dots.

Never heard of a 1922 filled die penny. Any picture available ?? I know of 1920 penny with filled die.

1915 UNC with 70% lustre selling at Dave Craddock coins for £30 Tel. 0121 7732259

Better pictures of the spink auction pennies on "thesaleroom.com"

There are a few around, mostly from VIP proof sets BB/TB. Perhaps half a dozen, possibly more if the VIP proof sets are owned by VIP's that are not in the numismatic circle. Also at least one (Spink Auction December 2014) struck from sandblasted dies. One other variation TB/TB exists and is thought to be unique.

Thank you for your offer Peckris. Colin G has already helped me out.

A picture might help Dave

I have noticed that from time to time pictures of overlaid coin comparisons have been displayed on this forum. I have some pictures of halfpennies, all pic's of exactly the same size. If any forum reader would be willing to accept a few pictures from me and would be willing to overlay them, I would be most appreciate it. I am trying to establish if there is any differences between halfpennies catalogued as Freeman obverse 11 and 12. The catalogue states differences, but I cannot find them on any of my specimens.

Yes, Brilliant Bob, Peter Wallwork, a Quality dealer !!

Back in the 1960's there were a few coin dealers that erred on the safe side when grading their coins. Mainly the top London dealers and one other. I knew if I bought a coin from "Grantham Coins" it would have been at least and usually better than the grade advertised. I recall buying an 1868 penny in GEF that would now be graded by most dealers as Gem UNC. (I remember receiving it through the post and was over the moon when seeing it!, highest grade Victorian bun in my collection.) I don't know if Grantham Coins is still operating?? I don't recall the owners name, but I bet somebody remembers it !

Spink may have a copy that you require. They might copy it for you. They copied an article from a 1967 volume for me a few years back.

I just collect bronze pennies and halfpennies. Pennies were getting far too expensive for the ones that I required. The new collectors are willing to pay much more than me. I think the final straw was for a Die number 5. I believed that my bid of £3850 would have secured it, but it sold for ~£20,000 (yesterdays man!) :( :( Bronze halfpennies are my long term challenge. I don't lose sleep when I fail to get one in auction. Luckily for me, many collectors of halfpennies have been selling up in recent years, making these rare high grade halfpennies available to buy. :)

I do, 1860-1901, I wish to buy any rare varieties ! especially in high grade !!! :D

I have seen this phenomena before on bronze coins. coins can be reduced in size and weight and still retaining much detail by immersing in acid. The giveaway on your sixpence is the week and extended toothed border. The acid uniformly digests the coins but the edges take the most loss

I'm sorry but I just don't know. The coin is of reasonable grade and therefore should be easy to give a definite answer... but unfortunately on this occasion I would not want to publicly knock the coin. Over the years, a number of 12+N coins have appeared with apparently no "H". Some others have appeared with a weakly struck "H". It is not impossible that this coin is completely authentic. The royal Mint say they have no record of any pennies struck by them in 1882 but clearly a number were struck without "H" possibly to test dies in 1881 or struck without "H" at the Heaton Mint. Luckily most 1882 pennies can be easily identified due to the unique die pairing 11+N with date 1882. My opinion is only another opinion, no better on this particular coin than anybody else's opinion. Sorry :(

A hen's tooth, wonderful find!

I have read that the owner of most of the pennies and halfpennies were from the Michael Cole collection.

Definitely at least two known, Bernie...