Coinery

If you had time, and a few high-grade examples to hand, it would be interesting to look at the range of busts which are classified as Reverse 6. Here's some of the differences I've picked up in the past, with the help of a others on this forum: Different orientation of neckline rose More curved/straight line to rear of neck Berry in front/behind leaf of wreath Additional detail to hair in from of bun Double edge and extension to ear Larger gap between B of BRITT and hair Sharper nose Slight double chin These could be retouches to the die, of course. The following examples are from 1863 (on the left) and 1861 Presumably you mean Obverse 6 not Reverse 6? On those two examples, you missed one of the most obvious differences IMO - the obverse on the left has a bulging eye which the one on the right doesn't have. Also there's a difference in size and thickness of legend. Nevertheless, an impressive list of differences for what is supposed to be the same Obverse. I can barely believe that's even meant to be the same obverse bust! Another one is bottom lip curled outwards! Have you tried transparency, making each image semi-transparent and then overlaying them? It may look too messy, not sure, worth a try though!

I'm thinking probably not! Any ideas on the 'irregularity' running from the harp and through the central crossbar? Well, any raised areas on the coin will be down to marks on the die, so maybe a dint or damage there? Eventually dies were hammered so much that they would crack, you can occasionlly see at least the start of that on coins. I'm thinking in this case, something was dropped on the die causing a cut. Interestingly your coin is from a different die from other coins I've seen with contraction marks used instead of stops on the reverse. I had assumed there would be only one, but apparently not .. curious. I really haven't read enough C1 literature to competently comment. I have to confess though I'm really surprised to hear the thoughts were just for a single reverse die for contraction marks! Now I'm curious, too! Does Bull cover shillings too, or am I just looking at Morrieson for the next level read?

I've bought a few good bargains from this seller (probably from errors like this one), until I had a disagreement about postage! I bought two coins separately, about £20-30 each (Recorded postage charge on each)and, when I came to pay...Special Delivery charges for combining! I said, then please post them separately at Recorded Delivery, that would be much cheaper for me! I couldn't make them understand that I should BENEFIT from buying lots of coins from them, not be penalised, grrrrr! They did get sent SD, I didn't pay SD though! A shame for them, because a fair number of their coins would have burnt and died in the past, but for my enthusiasms (?spelling)! That's what you have to remember when you upset an ebay buyer, they could be making you money, even when they lose!

I'm thinking probably not! Any ideas on the 'irregularity' running from the harp and through the central crossbar?

And I just can't make a decision about whether I actually like the colouration on this one or not?

I couldn't resist! Weak strike, but I really like the 'feel' of this one!

You'll never guess what I found in a hammered lot after buying it? Exactly the same, but even better grade (sharper)! I left it with W&W, for their 'coin man' to look at, as I only spotted it after winning the lot! Not sure how I stand with fakes in lots, we'll see? I'm not entirely unhappy, as I bought the lot for a superb Elizabeth threefarthings that wasn't highlighted, despite being the best coin in there! Neither was the amazing Edward penny with lustre (pics later)

They're good on here, aren't they!

They're good on here, aren't they!

Boats and the dreams of self-sufficiency, or at least a system of simple trading? You have a great time, Peter! Many happy return to Mrs P, best wishes to you both! I'm half p****d in a pub in Warwick, waiting for my better half to pick me up! Christ, it's rained a lot, but I'm pleased with Warwick!

The magic of macro! I stand down from the large 4, small 4 speculation! One for the denticle boys now I think! It is undoubtably high though, even if the left component is contestable!

It's all about being a completist. As soon as a variety is found, everyone has a gap in their collection to be filled. As Peck says, they're not that rare (VR Court estimates 6:1 in favour of the more common variety) so can be picked up by the eagle-eyed at a very reasonable price. There's always a good feeling from paying standard money for a rarer variety. I guess a lot of the overdates and die-repairs of modern milled can boil down to little more than a few microns on occasions, even blocked dies count, if the run's long enough! It always comes down to how common or not they are, and how many accumulators there are out there with big black circles in the middle of their very fine cabinets who want one!

Another new variety... Go pies!

Good on yer, Pies! Fair play!

You'll be in a minority of one then!

It doesn't. It's a sixpence. I love this forum! I remember innocently entering around a year ago now, just after the debate about whether you could legally smelt English coinage had finally wound down! Without knowing about the fire of the recent bullion debate, I entered enquiring into 'the smelting of English silver'! I always think of you Nick! fondly, of course!

Yes. The lots of coins I purchase are mostly low grade coins. Being a variety seeker, this does not bother me. Thus, I make sure that differences are not caused by post mint damages and significant enough to be keeped. When I can not find information on it on the web, I post it. The pictures that I post can be used so others can come up with their own conclusion. The sample I have for 1940 is 30 coins so I do not think this is rare unless I am very lucky. Hope someone else finds one ... happy hunting. 1 in 30 is quite a small number, especially if none were found in the next 30! Stick around, I think your findings would be the focus of some good debate!

I guess that would depend on the comparative rarity of the one 1940 against the other! I think the modern micro-collector is a growing animal, and books like David's can only fuel the fire! For example, if you HAD one, and I didn't...well, you could still keep it anyways!

Yes, this one's in D Groom's book! He also adds that one has the wave ON the exergue line, and the other above, which I can see is the case in your images! Groom, D., J., (2009) The Identification of British 20th Century Bronze Coin Varieties. Whitstable: DJG ISBN: 978-1-4092-8550-2 I think you're going to like it!

Just a thought, but I wonder whether it would be better described as a 'large 4' and 'small 4' variety? It'll be interested to see what accumulator, and anyone else comes back with, I don't have anything after G5 myself, apart from QEII pound coins, that is! I agree there certainly appears to be a difference, sharp eyes, let's see it duplicated and you're home! You know the author D J Groom frequents this forum, he's obviously spent a lot of time on things like this! A big welcome, a good post to enter with!

Wholeheartedly agree, horrible!

Someone's probably offered them a couple of grand off the 'bay, thinking they've got themselves a bargain! Well played by the seller though... 'box of collectables' 'think I need some help' 'found something similar, but this has some weird writing on it, Sinnon, or something' ! Nicely baited!

Not often you see a £60,000 coin on ebay, cast copy? Only needs to X 100 and it'll be there! Over £600 already!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120964068724?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649