Paddy

Yes - it is in the Withers list of Evasions (not a contemporary counterfeit) as W276. Only difference is that lists it as "GLORIOVS" whereas this one is "GLORIOUS". Value in Fine given as £20. Nice find!

I got taken to task on another forum a few years back on the distinction between "Contemporary counterfeit" and "evasion". The Contemporary Counterfeits generally closely resemble the Regal issues, though more crudely made. They are noticeably underweight, as that is where the criminals made their margin, and often created ready-worn to discourage close examination. Evasions deliberately change the design. Sometimes by a little such as an invalid date, or altered legends, sometimes by a lot with a different portrait. The argument in court would be: "It is clearly not intended to deceive - the details are all wrong. If the recipient was foolish enough to accept it as a halfpenny, that is their mistake." So most of the examples posted recently in this thread, including that linked to on Ebay, would be Contemporary Counterfeits, not Evasions. @The Bee's with an invalid date drifts into the Evasion area. Evasions are far more collectable, particularly by the Americans as many were produced in the colonies around the time of the American Revolution.

If this is 7+G I think the variety is noted in @secret santa's excellent website. Rarity given as "?" so not enough data yet to know. See: https://halfpennyvarieties.wordpress.com/victoria-halfpenny-varieties/

I would say this is a contemporary counterfeit rather than a modern fake. Still fairly collectable, but not to the tune of $575! The seller, who makes themself out to be a bit of a coin expert, probably should have made that clear in the description.

I have to say I don't like the unevenness of the rim on the reverse. Are there any other signs to indicate fakery?

I think it is only $500 - still seems a lot!

Hi Richard - I will PM you.

Interesting! I have not seen that before. The R looks almost as if someone has selectively flattened that section with a punch post mint? I can't quite see how it could come out of the press like that, but I may be wrong.

Thanks for all that. On the subject of farthings, best just to start a new thread. I too collect farthings and I would enjoy seeing what you have.

I am not particularly good at telling varieties apart, but by comparison with Terry's selection above I would say @The Bee's is the 13 tooth version. Whilst on 1877s - many years ago when I was just getting into coins and really only interested in getting each date, I bought an album of decent pennies at a market. Many were very nice indeed and are still part of my collection. Amongst them were two 1877s. I kept the better looking one and sold on the other. The dealer that bought seemed stunned to buy it for only £1 and I have worried ever since that it might have been a narrow date that I missed!

Not sure if @Martinminerva's last post fulfilled the challenge, but this one today in change from my butcher's in North Devon:

This from the BBC website this morning. Interesting and very rare Viking penny from Athelstan II, formerly Guthrum, as King in East Anglia. Also discussion of the implementation of the new detectorist rules regarding items of National Significance. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg79e45341po Oh, and PS: For once the pictures of the coin are quite good!

Generally the best place to find decent hammered is online with the better coin auctioneers and specialist dealers. Ebay tends to have them over-priced or over graded - when they are not fake. Henry II is more difficult to find in decent grade, but Noonan's have some nice ones at auction on the 6th September. (noonans.co.uk).

I don't have the book to see the details of the coins you are looking at. (I gave up on decimal last year!) What year are you looking at? I know there is a privy mark on some of the 2019 Britannia 50ps, but that is clearly too early for a coin to record her death.

I have spotted a job lot at a local auction including a set of Model coins featuring Queen Victoria's children. They are white metal and have some biographical details for each child. Apparently in a tortoiseshell box, though this not pictured. These are not for me, but if anyone here is interested, PM me and I will send you a link. Current estimate is only £20 to £30.

I have never used them, but I understand your views on Ebay! Have you tried emailing them - or messaging them via Ebay?

Spotted this sign at auction. Can't believe they ever got away with this!

... and finally the 1863 Shilling - substantial upgrade for me, but not the 1863/1 mentioned above:

... 1725 Shilling - another upgrade for me:

... 1672 Shilling - a new date for me:

So here are my pickups from the auction - arrived today. One per post. 1663 Shilling - an upgrade for me:

I didn't get all the ones I was interested in - the bidding went too high - but like you I pout in late bids on a couple that seemed to be going very cheap. I am also very pleased with my wins and should have them in hand very soon.

Well spotted! A great buy for anyone into the variations. I have just checked back and you are correct - Irish and Scottish shields switched across. I don't go looking for that sort of thing, so probably miss some bargains. I am content with a decent example of each date.

Devon to Mayfair is not much easier! I didn't view in person either - just trusted to their photography. (Noonans are reasonably reliable, unlike some of the others.) In fact I nearly missed the auction entirely. It was only an article on the BBC website on the morning of the sale that alerted me to it. The others I got were: the 1663 Shilling lot 14 as an upgrade; the 1672 Shilling lot 23, filling a gap; and the 1725 Shilling lot 163 as an upgrade.

I was bidding online too. I picked up 4 lots, which must mean the prices were not as strong as usual. I got the 1863 as an upgrade, but not the 1863/1. I will post pics once I have them in hand.