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Very interesting conjecture. I doubt whether your question can be answered with certainty, certainly North dosn't address the issue. The first coin minted is listed as between 1066-1068? Harold as you know was killed on 14 October, William being crowned on December 25. It could be argued reasonably, that coins were immediately struck in preperation for his coronation. After all what better way for a Monarch to establish his authority. Surely there were enough coins in circulation to suffice for the intervening two months? The Saxons did not submit readily it wasn't until 1071 that Willian returned to Normandy. During that time William struck two other coins which demonstrated IMO his desire for continuity. Of course as stated your thought provoking question probably cannot be fully satisfied. Regards Mark

Matt, Really appreciated your enthusiasm and excitement. Thoroughly enjoyed your post. Regards Mark

Rob, In addition to what's been said look at the mintages. If you select low mintage sets there may be price appreciation. You might want to look through a price catalogue and compare what's increasing in value and what is not. Comparing Spink now with one five or six years old can be very revealing. Of course this not limited to Spink. You also need to be careful with regard to bullion prices when buying modern sets. Rising metal values can hide the fact that there is no intrinsic value other than the basic value. Some of the 20 Centuary proof sets , 1911, 1927 and so on may be worth a look. You can also pick up some of the individual coins from the sets. These have and are likely to increase in value The mint have way of telling you that everything is collectable. If they produce thousands of sets they are usually not. If you want to be really cynical you could apply the same principle when someone tells you someting is not collectable. Have they got a few tucked away in their safe. Kind regards Mark

Ah, so stabbing has a value then. Wise advice. Mark

Slabs are fine if you have no strong views or storage issues. Me? All my other coins are raw, so keeping just one in a slab makes little sense to me.Tom, can't bring myself to slab what isn't. Or unslab what is. Perhaps just plain indecisive?

Peter's comment is very "on the money". Really can't decide whether to keep my slabbed coins, slabbed or not. In grading terms just don't have a strong view about it. Will it become an all consuming passion here? Peter, by the way, you have mail. Kind regards Mark

Thanks guys for your kind remarks. I have very, very patient designers who helped me on the way. I like what they have done. As to under £100 I liked the idea. Just felt anyone on a budget, for whatever reason, or a young person building a quality collection for the future might find it helpful. If your looking to build or transfer a site you may want to look at Squirrel mail. Kind regards Mark

No, not at all. Can you be more specific?Mark Sorry, design software for the site! Is it a drag n drop design with integral shopping cart provided by the host? Or is it bespoke, dream weaver, or home-built with HTML etc?Bespoke by my designers in New Zealand.

No, not at all. Can you be more specific? Mark

Thanks guys. I missed this when I bought several pennies back in the summer. Something did not seem right when I put it up on the site. Still nice coin and I did not overpay. Will have to rethink it. Kind regards Mark

Rob, When I put the coin up I checked it out and was concerned I had made an error when I originally purchased it. Soon sorted it out but thought I needed help. Hope it explains Kind regards Mark

False alarm. Found it. It's their. Leaf peeping in a New England Autumn is much easier. I was a little unsettled as the highest leaves did not seem as close to the linear circle as I thought they should. Sure glad it's not a 2. Unless you can turn it into a 2 B. Kind regards Mark

http://www.jncoins.co.uk/JNC/en/bronze-and-copper/43-victoria-bronze-penny-1860.html Where have they hidden the extra leaf? I bought this as a Ob 6 wondering if it is in fact an Ob 5. Any thoughts. Kind regards Mark

Hi Peter, Sounds good. Regards Mark

Mm, interesting never the less. Thanks again for your input. Kind regards Mark

Rob, Thanks. Just bought a Long Cross type penny. Could clearly make out most of the letters ending in FSTAN MO LVND. Now realise the Moneyer from your list was Wulfstan. The seller hadn't provided that detail. Incidentally I know mints can play an important part in valuing coins of the same type, how important are moneyers in this regard? Mark

Hi, Does anyone have a complete list? Regards Mark

So what's the bible on mint marks and types? Because if you don't have the info to hand you are stuck with Spink prices. Regards Mark

Accumulator, Thanks again. Just had a look to check. I would describe fields as proof like. They are almost perfect IMO. Must say I have learnt a lot from this coin. Question could it be ascertained for certain as to its status as "proof" or "specimen"? Regards Mark

Hi, Thank you all for your kind comments. Really hadn't given much thought to this being anything other than a normal penny that had toned up. Anyone know whether there were proofs for the year and type 6 + G I think. On another matter in just trying to put a value on this, as you know Spink full value in UNC is for coins with full lustre. How would this square as this is toned completely? Kind regards Mark

Hi, Yes the coin is just about as it looks. I do enhance a little to bring hidden depths that the camera dosn't pick up, but never knowingly distort. I was immediately attracted to this coin at auction. The photos in the catalogue were sumptuous. I wanted to see if I could replicate it so was pleased. This is one of my better ones, so many failures on the way. Steve I think yours is sharper than mine. Since taking this one I always use a tripod and don't use anything more than 55x macro frequently less. Ha ha laugh at me didn't know what macro was a year ago. Regards Mark

Any improvement hints most welcome. Regards Mark

Interesting thread. Some really nice pics. I have been experimenting for about nine months not being a photographer. Found gold really hard. Very pleased with this though. I have been using a daylight bulb and reflector thingy, sorry can't remember the photo jargon.

Rob, Recently purchased copies of SEMC. Are the others that you mentioned easily available? Can you point in the right direction? Thanks Again Mark

Rob, Just coming back to this. So HVE could be HUE? Medieval is not my thing. Regards Mark