Sword

Although the mintage of Maundy coins is not high, they do mostly survive in good condition as they are not circulating coins. In addition, Maundy coins are minted every year. I don't think Maundy "odds" (i.e. not in complete sets) are considered to be rare.

I think these photos were taken after the coin has been slabbed and not before. Otherwise, the resolution wouldn't be so poor. But some of the earlier slabbed CGS coins don't have CGS photos. Photos was optional in the early days and the fee was halved (if I remember correctly) not to have a photo taken.

That's a fairly long die crack. I imagine the obverse die would be used for multiple years until it's too damaged. But the reverse die has the date and so needs to be replaced each year.

It's amazing how the letters are so neatly and completely removed! (Almost looks like it was intentionally done.) Since the missing letters are unfortunately "REX" and "FID D", it might eventually be given the nickname "abdication 5p" if more examples are known. Long live our King, and long may he reign!

I do like the eagle on the 19C Reich Marks. Those used in the 1950s features starving birds. The American coins also feature good eagles.

That's a shame as this medal was awarded to significant scientists and inventors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Price_Wetherill_Medal#:~:text=The John Price Wetherill Medal,was last awarded in 1997. I believe it is a plated bronze medal with the recipient's name and year engraved on the reverse. Hence, the name and date is necessary to identify it.

I would probably grade it as poor/ fair.

This is an example currently on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286858256262?_ul=GB&rb_itemId=286858256262&rb_pgeo=GB&ff=11&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5339059258&toolid=10044&customid=EAIaIQobChMIw4mbmJKCkwMVNZFQBh1XmwlQEAQYASABEgJPmfD_BwE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw4mbmJKCkwMVNZFQBh1XmwlQEAQYASABEgJPmfD_BwE&wbraid=CkEKCQiA5I_NBhCCARIwAMgyZG8xxosq4BPX_CPxcGrxjS_UTjJ9HmTKiqjU2kNd9LefuQ78iABAQGBdF3BnGgLBPw&gbraid=0AAAAADA7Q_KTN7L5aJF6e68c0HDcbcgrU&adtype=pla&loc_physical_ms=9045836&loc_interest_ms=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20511325147&gbraid=0AAAAADA7Q_KTN7L5aJF6e68c0HDcbcgrU

Is the damage two small holes at the edge? I think quite a few were into swivel mount brooches.

Welcome to the predecimal forum! It's really nice that you have kept the coins from your early collecting days. £7.50 was indeed a lot in those days. Having one of those blue Wellington fivers made me felt rich when I started secondary school in the 80s. I collect silver rather than bronze but have brought a few pennies and half pennies as type examples. I think the first bronze I have brought was the same YH type: 1853 half penny. I then got a bun penny and half penny as I am fond of that portrait and it's a shame that it was never used on silver coinage.

I would say Fine, reverse better

I haven't brought a copy for sometime and wonder if Sovereign Rarities has done a reasonable / good job for the 2025 and 2026 catalogues.

I think the penny has already lost much its dignity when the RM started making them with copper plated steel. Even then, it costs more than it's face value to produce. I agree the penny coin is hugely symbolic but perhaps it is better to retire it soon rather letting it drag on.

I am OK without a circulating coin called a penny. But it would be nice if they continue to be included in year sets and also minted in silver for collectors. It will also be retained as a denomination even if physical circulating coins are no longer minted.

When I visited Wales many years ago, I came across an area where cafes and small shops gave prices in today's money and also the prices in ca 1900. If you want to, you can change your modern money into counterstamped Victorian / Edwardian pennies and use these in the cafes. This allows visitors to spend old money.

I haven't been carrying coins on me for many years now and pay for most things by contactless. Large coins wouldn't be considered convenient by many people I think. But I still carry notes and pay for things like takeaway deliveries by cash.

Even so, it is worth now several times what you have paid and so it was a good investment 🙂

Nice coin, and I wish I had brought one before it got so expensive. £200 was a good deal even then I think.

I remember my A level Chemistry teacher telling me that people used to wash their hands with benzene in university labs. Glad that it was banned by my days. But there are of course more "hazardous" substances that are still commonly used in labs because there are no safer alternatives. For example, if I have to choose between dipping my finger into benzene or into concentrated nitric acid, then my choice will of course be benzene.

Consider getting a specimen crown rather than the RE proof as it is much cheaper. The specimen is nice, has reflective fields (but no frosting), and comes in the same red box as the proof. My specimen (top) cost me £50 in 2020 and my RE proof (bottom) cost £500 15 years ago.

Very true. But a decent EF example is now well over a thousand pounds. I don't particularly like that George IV portrait and so didn't want to pay so much. As for William IV, I would eventually settle for a halfcrown which is of the same design.

It is a moot point whether the undecimo gothic crown is a pattern. Firstly 8000 were produced which is high for a pattern. In addition, it also gained legal tender status unlike non-adopted patterns. Hence, some did circulate as currency. If I have to take a position, I would call it a limited issue rather than a pattern. Wreath crowns are not generally considered patterns either.

I would suggest eBay and selling the coins and accessories separately.

Good luck. The experience gained could be useful if you ever need to do it for a higher value coin one day.

Those George III crowns were struck with a great deal of care (graduated striking and delivered to banks wrapped in soft paper.) The engraving is truly superb.