Accumulator

I really only collect pennies, though I do have a few thousand bagged-up halfpennies to sort through one day. At the age of 10 a great aunt gave me a 1699 halfpenny, which I still prize.

Thank you! I must admit the cupro-nickel colour adds a nice contrast to the rows of lustered bronze in the tray. You obviously don't suffer from OCD Embracing an off-metal strike is helping me get over it!

Thank you! I must admit the cupro-nickel colour adds a nice contrast to the rows of lustered bronze in the tray.

You got me searching for the loupe there Dave…. no, it's just the photo. Toothed like the others.

I'm very pleased with the 1868 Cupro-nickel proof (F 57):

It is worth trying verdicare. I've ordered some today!

Penny values seemed strong, at least for the rarities. In addition to the two 1860/59 mentioned by Rob, other coppers returned good prices. The 1843 with no colon went for £3200 (estimate £750-£1250), 1843 with colon went for £1100 (estimate £350-£500), 1849 impaired went for £2200 (estimate £1750-2750). The bronze series was similarly strong. Among the highlights, the GVF 1903 open 3 (with minor flaw/damage) made £1700 and the 1953 mule £3600. I picked up very nice 1868 cupro-nickel proof (F 57) and a currency strike (F56) as an upgrade to my existing example. I also bought a surprisingly cheap 1862 with halfpenny date figures (F 41). It's suffering from a patch of verd, so is sitting in olive oil now!

I'm down tomorrow, so we will see who puts their head above the parapet. Of course, it could go to a book bid. I see Accumulator was logged in today for the first time in a while. Wonder if he will be there as it ought to appeal if ok? It has been a while! I've been very busy with other things (mostly expensive!) so pennies have taken a back seat through the summer. The arrival of a few autumn sale catalogues has caught my attention, though, so I indeed may go along today. How will I recognise you, Rob?

Absolutely right there, Gary. I agree with your point, but then so does Nigel Farage. I would say... 1. If it hadn't been for Farage, who would actually have done anything? It's easy to criticise him, but who else was prepared to speak out? There was no evidence whatsoever that the 3 'mainstream' parties intended to tackle these problems at all and we were blindly following a route to greater European integration and an acceleration in the immigrant population. Of course immigration is a good thing, but it needs to be controlled and planned for. 2. The entrepreneur that starts a business is very rarely the right person to run it beyond a certain critical size. It's the same with Farage, and he actually recognises that (he's said similar things many times). Whether UKIP get their act together as a credible party of coalition government, or whether another party (the Conservatives) modify their position sufficiently to garner the UKIP vote, we shall have to see?

Work's been so busy that I've not had a lot of time recently, but have just read this thread. Totally agree with your first post, Rob! The metro political elite have been operating in the vacuum of their Westminster bubble for far too long. The last labour government oversaw a massive change to our country, with unlimited immigration and no attempt at integration. The coalition have done no better. Alongside this, we have the growth of the EU superstate, something the British people never signed up to. I might not agree with everything he says, but I have the utmost respect for the man who has almost single-handedly stoop up and told it as he sees it. Good on Nigel Farage for not collapsing under the most extreme vilification from the establishment-backed mainstream media!

I'm not sure why you've picked that coin out, Jack, but it isn't a 1* obverse, if that's what you were asking? They are very rare and distinguished by the colon after BRITT aligning with a border tooth. Here's mine:

You've correctly identified the variety, now you have to grade it correctly. Overseas sellers are a good source, as most only use Krause and ignore Freeman, Gouby etc., and often Spink as well! I've picked up a few rarities this way. Oh, I thought Rob was being deeply ironic? I equated the part he'd highlighted bold, with his reply... I think you're right! I looked at Bronze Mad's original post and replied to that. I hadn't noticed the replies!

Blessed are the chosen ones..... I didn't think an unc F-90 existed today Bob's was the best I've seen. I've never heard of an UNC example, unless you have one in your pension fund Dave?

You've correctly identified the variety, now you have to grade it correctly. Overseas sellers are a good source, as most only use Krause and ignore Freeman, Gouby etc., and often Spink as well! I've picked up a few rarities this way.

Be interesting to see how high it goes!

Interesting comparison Danz. The coin has now arrived so I'll have a closer look over the weekend, but those ships are nothing like each other!

Bet those 50's and 51's were rare in 1946!

And people think hammered coins are complicated ... It keeps us all busy during those long winter evenings!

For many, myself included, the fun is in all the varieties. Freeman 14's are certainly rare, so congratulations on that. He lists 22 varieties of the 1860, at least one of which (the gold proof) is unique though. Gouby goes further, but I tend to limit myself to Freeman, plus any obvious omissions.

It sounds as though you've collected a few rarities there…. We really need pictures

It's not exactly a gap for me Scott, as I don't really collect filled dies. Lots of others do though.

From the 1968 'All Change', which was widely sold in bookstores:

Given your experience and background I may well be doing your coins an injustice. As I say, it's almost impossible when relying solely on a description, and without knowing anything about the author. It would be very interesting to learn more about your bun head collection. Over 30 years you must have acquired some exciting coins? Lots of penny collectors here!

I've often wondered what a 'complete' collection would number but never taken the time to come up with a figure. It will obviously depend upon one's definition of 'complete', but Freeman alone lists about 260, excluding patterns. With Peck and the main copper varieties, it would have to be close to 500 in total (I currently have 227).

I read 'Before I go to Sleep' last year, a great book based on a similar but theoretically possible story. The film with Colin Firth & Nicole Kidman should be one to watch out for this summer.