bagerap

Sounds like a Shove Halfpenny

A key often indicates Papal States or Bishoprics

A company called Wizard handles it but I think shipping may be a problem. They're likely to be RIARTs, i.e. restricted articles needing a Hazardous Goods Certificate, the cost of which is prohibitive for just one or two bottles.

On American forums they swear by two products, VerdiCare & VerdiGone; but as I've never found them in the UK who knows?

I missed the plug mark. It's slightly possible it could be silver, they do exist but are usually better executed. There seems little point in plugging a base metal token.

It's a Ramatanka, an Indian Hindu temple token. They are very rarely silver, usually base metal with a silver wash.

Hertfordshire, 5-6 cms; still snowing.

Coins for collectors, slabs for investors. But I bet we get more pleasure from ours.

Being South African, I have no axe to grind. (MinL's neck excepted)

"I'm think the whole of the united kingdom should get a vote" Dead right! Last poll I read forecast that most English would vote for Scottish independence, and most Scots would vote against. Cut off the central government cash flow, take back the money invested in RBS and then see how long free prescriptions and universities last. Oh, and can I deport my mother-in-law? She's a McDonald!

Morocco, 4 Falus. First one is minted in Fes, the second in Marrakesh.

This throws up some useful stuff: http://www.digitalbookindex.com/_search/search010hstenglandcoinsa.asp though some of it is duplicated in previous posts.

BHM 310

D&H 938 Middlesex National Series 1789 by Wilmore, Alston & Co. Also has a British Historical Medals ref, but the books nowhere to be found. Certainly pretty rare.

This is it: Whichever one you get ensure that it comes with a stand.

Expect to hear a lot more from Mr Barford, he's got a book coming out late this year/early next and it's aimed at US amongst others. Unfortunately large sections of the shovelbum community are agreeing with him in general. Detectorists are their main enemy, but they want changes in legislation which would affect all collectors; and not just of coins.

To be honest, I've never tried. I think the focal length would probably be too long. I stick to the aforementioned rubbishy scanner and a DSLR I've nearly mastered (almost, maybe).

This is a (rubbishy) scan and a close-up of a die crack taken with a £20ish USB scope: I consider a USB scope to be a useful tool, and none too expensive.

Ask North American sellers to send via UPS. They don't make a meal out of customs clearance, simply calculate it correctly and don't overcharge for admin. DHL is similar but variable. Yes the shipping charges will be higher, but you'll pay a hell of a lot less duty.

"I have a gentleman in New Jersey who uses the X-Ray Machines to anaylize fakes, and, he has been mentoring me along...the learning is off the charts, and, very exciting.." I think you'll find that the gentleman in New Jersey is working with others on what will hopefully be the definitive book on contemporary circulating counterfeit Mexican silver. Not sure if it's expected late this year or early next year. Excellent mentor to have.

I had an apprenticeship too. Let's face it, I never had a chance; my father was a collector. And a damn fine dealer too. So of course I did what any self respecting youth would do in the 60s, I ran. Trouble is that I wed a stamp dealers daughter. He died leaving around 700, 000 stamps and his little side line; +/-5,000 coins of varying nationalities, century and metal. "OK, I can probably help out with some of the coins" I can hear myself innocently saying it still. Quite a few years down the line and I've turned into my father. Except that I'm the junkie, selling stuff to feed my own habit. I've pretty much stopped mainlining pennies, half crowns are what excite the ageing heart these days. Oh and medals, particularly exhibition medals. The stamps? Still in archive boxes, they're for when I really retire.

Now also spamming Coin People

After the press induced frenzy, the price of these has crept inexorably south. I bought one on commission before Christmas for £35.00, which is probably just a shade too high.

I've just seen a new seller on fleabay (12 feedbacks) with a good number of Victorian pennies. Not only cleaned, but polished to a mirror shine.

A sort of ancient form of bar code! Hence the price being described, even in relatively modern times, as 'on the nail.' Outside the Corn Market in Bristol there were until at least the 70s a series of ancient flat topped iron bollards, known as Nails. Supposedly these acted as De Facto desks for the corn dealers and all monetary tranactions took place there. Be nice if it could be proven.