Bernie

No,not that one.

There is a uncommon penny in the ebay.uk auction site. I have placed a bid on it hoping that it won't get pulled. Nearly every time a rare coin appears on ebay it gets withdrawn. The possible reason for this could be that the coin appears to have little interest because of bidders habits of not bidding to the last minute. I suspect that the sellers get offers to buy before the auction ends. I have no intention of winning the coin that I mention but hope that collectors wishing to own the coin for their collection get a fair crack at it. The expectation of hoping that know one else will recognise the rarer coins is ridiculous, so my advice is to believe that many people will immediately recognise the variety and place a bid, even if a low bid, just to show your interest.

I suspect that it must have been minted on January 1st or 2nd ??

I bet if this penny was dated 1861, they would not have miss identified the die pairing !! http://www.ebay.com/itm/GREAT-BRITAIN-Victoria-1860-AE-Penny-PCGS-MS64RB-SCBC-2954-Freeman-16-5-D-/182568770366?hash=item2a81f25b3e:g:6LYAAOSwurZZE0pE

The obverse is obverse 2

Close up of 8/8

Here is a better picture of the said variety, probably an 8/8

You tell 'em Richard !

Bronze coins can retain their lustre, as proven by some surviving examples found dating back to 1860. It is generally the environment that affects the lustre. I was a smoker when I first started collecting. If the coins are stored in the same house where somebody smokes, the bronze coins will lose their lustre. High humidity is also a killer. Very dry low humidity conditions are favourable.

You are correct, the coin has been handled many times, apparently it was kept loose in the curator's (G.P.D) desk draw for many years.

The proof set pictured does amazingly have coins struck in different years, it surprised me, I've seen it.

The pennies struck accidentally in nickel are attracted to a magnet. how about yours ?

Another fake, I'm afraid !

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-1869-Penny-Queen-Victoria-/192090131508?hash=item2cb976cc34:g:XwMAAOSwImRYjOAM The coin appears to be an exceptional strong strike but the mantle design appears wrong. Victoria hair also appears wrong. Lots of other small details not right. What do other forum members think. It would be a shame if they started faking these to such a high standard.

The Ex Clarke Thornill, Freeman coin 11.11 grams sold in James Workman collection at Colin Cooke coins auctions in 2010 for £2400 + premium.

I have come across a 1908 half sovereign for sale for £65. The seller claims that he has tested the gold content of it and it appears to be 9ct. The coin is in fine grade and weighs approximately 3 grams. The dealer informs me that he believes that it was struck by the royal mint. The coin appears 100% genuine to me. Does any forum member know of an explanation for the existence of this coin please. I do not have pictures of this coin.

This latest Freeman 4/5 penny of 11.16 grams could be an addition to coins known to me, 1860 Fr 4 sold Oct. ’97. 9.23 grams, Another 11.3 grams. Another 11.097 grams, Another 10.389 grams, Another 10.31 grams. More exist. 1860 Fr 5 sold Dec. '00. 13.62 grams. Another VF 13.76 grams, another ex. Peck 13.9 grams. ex. Norweb, Another 11.512 grams.more exist.?

When the pre decimal coinage was in circulation, the 1912H penny was as common as the 1912 penny. It is equally likely that 1912H pennies were saved in UNC because they were unusual. Most 1951 pennies still survive, far more than the number of penny collectors. A coin is not rare if almost every dealer has a selection of them.

£200 max for a BU 1912H, there are more of these now in existence than a 1912 standard. Same goes for 1951, more common than 1949 in BU.

The weight of this die pairing varies between 9.3 grams and 13.7 grams, where Freeman 4 ends and Freeman 5 starts is debatable. Anyhow the weight of 11.16 grams is over standard weight. Thank you very much for the info.

The picture of the coin indicates the coin is a beauty ! Well done. Spink pictures have been generally quite poor. I think the coin will more than likely resemble the PCGS picture. When you receive the coin would you please weigh it, including its slab, so that we can attempt to work out the weight of the coin please.

I managed to get an original November 1991, auction 89 catalogue from an internet site "Dymasia". They have many more auction catalogues advertised on their website.

I have visited the BM website. I have noticed that many coins are listed in their collection but most have no pictures. I was wondering if any forum member know whether pictures are available or even if the coins can be viewed by visiting the museum.

Mike, Thank you for the information. I will look out for an original auction catalogue. It will give me something else to search for. No big deal if I don't find one.

That is brilliant Rob, I must look out for a copy of the auction catalogue.