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Many thanks for that Richard, much appreciated. I now attach a close up of my 1882Ma, where one can immediately see the different location of the H in respect to the border teeth and numeral 8’s when compared to type Kb. The protrusion of the 1 just above the inner curve is weak but can be seen on my example, but I would also like to ask whether other members have an Ma which also exhibits a tiny protrusion at the top left of the 2, as indicated by the red arrow. MG says on his page 79 “the only part of the 1 that can be seen, on this example, is the small portion that sticks out centrally, half way up the 2”. I think, however, that his picture may also have the tiny protrusion top left, which I presume could be the top left corner of the top bar of the underneath numeral 1. Please could I ask other members to check their own specimens and comment?

Judging by the lack of replies I think I must have confused everyone. I am pretty sure I have correctly matched my Kb with the small picture in MG’s book. The protrusion of the 1 half way up the inner curve of the 2 looks identical to me, in particular the curved part of the 1 which I have now highlighted in yellow. MG does not, however, give a full date picture of the Kb, but he does show a full picture of the Ka date with what appears to be a die crack around, and perhaps a little inside, the 2. Whilst his Ka date picture is not high definition the numerals and H look as though they are identically positioned to my own full Kb date picture. This has left me thinking that Ka and Kb may both have been struck from the same die, but that Ka is just struck later after the die has become ‘flawed’, and that this flawing perhaps gives a false impression of a different 2/1 amended die. If members think this is likely to be the case then I do not need to go hunting for another Ka example. Probably confused everyone even more now!!

The recent discussions on the potential new 1882/1 reverse r variety prompted me to take a closer look at my own examples, and this leaves me with a couple of queries. I had previously thought that I had all 3 examples described on pages 78/9 of Michael’s book i.e. Ka, Kb and Ma. I now find, however, that I have two examples of Kb and I am wondering whether I now need to start looking again for a Ka. I guess the good news is that I have a spare 1882Kb which I can sell to raise pocket money for next weekend…..lol 1882Ma is clearly from a different amended Gouby p reverse to the 1882Kb reverse; the location of the H in relation to the border teeth and two numeral 8’s being particularly noticeable…...so this means there were at least 2 amended reverse dies. Can I ask, however, if any member has what they believe to be a Ka variety, struck from yet another amended die and with a variation of date numerals (and H) when compared to Kb and Ma? I have looked at Richard’s site but see that he does not distinguish between Ka and Kb types. I have attached date pictures of my 1882Kb for reference. I also have a query regarding BP 1882Ma but will leave that for a ‘follow on’ post if there is interest in this one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-coin-Georgius-V-1911-One-penny-Year-of-the-coronation-/161984547835?hash=item25b7080bfb:g:~dEAAOSwIwhWRxlq Postage seems a little expensive

Lot 2462 at the March Auction has prompted me to write. I reference Page 93 of Gouby’s 2009 book in which he documents type 1898Aa (10.5 teeth) and 1898B (11 teeth). My understanding is that his type ‘B’ was assigned because of the different style of the second numeral 8. Had it not been for this different style of numeral 8 then he would have assigned a wider 11 teeth date spacing as 1898Ab, in the same manner as he has done for many other years in his book. The style of the second 8 on his 1898B, where the “bisect lines – align at the centre” he says is scarce. My experience is that this Style B type of 8 is only seen on the Widow Head (1895-1901) series in 1898. I think, however, that it is always seen on the Bun Heads up until 1894. I would be interested to find out if other members have different findings. Attached is a reference picture showing the two different types of 8, both taken from the same 1898 penny in my own collection. As far as Lot 2462 is concerned it looks to me as though the date width has been correctly identified as 11 teeth, but the second numeral 8 is NOT the scarce Gouby B type.

Yes, think re-cut F, pretty sure have seen this several times. Similar to the more well known 1841Bramah 2c variety pictured below, although this time the underlying F protrusions are higher. If one looks at enough copper pennies I think repairs to every letter (and numeral) in the legend can be found, although some are far more obvious than others. All the B2c's I have seen also display those faint marks around the DEF Colon, which I believe must to be repairs to both dots......again dot repairs are often seen, although I think perhaps less common.

Please feel free to use any of my pictures on your website Richard. Best wishes, Ian

When I first became aware of this suggested variety I was a little sceptical that it really could be another ‘inverted die’ mistake. Of course there are several established legend error varieties of this type, for example the V/ Inverted A’s seen on the 1860 penny and 1854 Half Penny, also the rare 1861 overdates 8/6 and 6/8, but the positions and distance of the relevant letters on the 1858 penny seemed to make an F/B mistake less plausible. Also the protrusions of the underlying B on the first picture I saw were not entirely convincing. I decided to hold judgement until I could acquire a high grade example; pictures of this coin are now attached. Shot at 120x magnification the top two pictures are the F and B from the actual coin. I have then lassoed (by hand) the bits of B showing under F, highlighted these in yellow, and amended the image in PhotoStudio to 50% transparency……..this is bottom left. The final stage, bottom right, is an overlay of this picture on top of the B of BRITANIAR. It seems to me that the protrusions are a good match, and a strong indication that this is indeed a valid error variety, but I would welcome the views of other members. I have only seen a handful of coins struck from this amended die. If Pete has acquired 3 then I think he has done very well. Perhaps once that ‘Victorian Copper Penny’ book is written he will be able to sell his spares at the same price as say an 1861 6/8!

'skilfully added' according to London Coins Pete......and yes I do own it. Thought an interesting piece, and quite a nice grade anyway

.......and how's about an 1875ND penny with an H.......just to get this one re-started now that everyone's chilled....

I bought an 1876, sold as without an H, many years ago. I no longer have the coin and disposed of it before I had my digital microscope, but I have located the old image which is now attached. My notes against this coin said that if tilted to the light then a very faded H could still be seen, although the H is not visible on the attachment. Was a low grade and cleaned piece.

Definitely the real thing, and surprising that Lockdales make this mistake. Attached pictures for reference, obverse with usual markings as noted by other members and doubled (die clash) ribbons, again always present............ date close up picture with same protrusions (highlighted in red) always seen and clearly also on the Lockdales piece.

Agreed Matt, and apologies because not listed this afternoon, had it on wrong search!! Must have missed them when first listed, showing my age!!

Some very nice bun heads been listed on ebay this afternoon by this seller:- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GREAT-BRITAIN-Victoria-1860-AE-Penny-PCGS-MS65BN-Dies-6-D-KM-749-2-Gem-/171873195275?hash=item280470d50b:g:SKEAAOSwd0BVt49v Think this one has been incorrectly slabbed as an F17 when should be F16, but still a rarer type so may be of interest to members / perhaps worth an offer if anyone is looking for type!

Perhaps Secret Santa is playing games with us all, and the Elf tree is where he grows his ‘wonderland’ pennies. I have already sent him my Christmas ‘wish list’ letter, and can’t wait until the big day arrives………..but please no chocolate coins this year………..just your 1843DFF would make me very happy!

I told someone about a rare coin only a few days ago after he had already listed on ebay..........because he is a mate and I wanted to see him get a fair price. If he hadn't been a good friend then I wouldn't have said anything, tried to buy it myself cheaply and sell for a profit.........that's the only way I can afford to buy pieces like the ones selling at the next LCA without upsetting the wife's holiday plans

An existing customer of mine bought it

......actually 'no' Pete, have only got one 1876Hf and definitely staying put for the time being. Been looking for another (and better example) since my find in 2011 but not got one yet and time to share with others. No doubt another member will already have one tucked away, probably without knowing it!

I wasn’t able to attend LCA this month so left a couple of postal bids, and now find that Jerry has nabbed both of them. Re. the Gouby 1875Hf which Jerry mentioned, I have seen the double ended ribbon on this date only four times, so think it is quite rare, although difficult to check features on many ebay sales because pictures generally not high enough definition. Interestingly this exact same obverse die is also paired with an 1876H wide date, and I believe that variety is far rarer. I wrote to Michael about this back in 2011 and he agreed with me that ”it is more than probable that the obverse die was carried over from 1875 for use with the 1876 wide date penny”……..and I think he planned to include in revised pages to his 2009 book when time permits.

Attached are reference pictures of 'P'ENNY and High Sea Level on an F148 I recently sold on ebay

That 1897 is most definitely NOT a Higher Sea Level F148. It's not the first time I have seen slabbed 1897's with this wording. Perhaps because the sea is higher than on the previous 1895/6 reverse this "High Sea Level" wording has been used, but please don't be mislead into thinking this is the rare 1897 F148 variety..........because that will hurt you later. I picked up an 1893/2 at LCA a few years back, sold in a group which had been missed, think must be quite an easy one to slip through the net. The chap selling the 1863 open 3 has not to my knowledge signed up to Predecimal, he is a very genuine highly recommended ebay seller.

Hi Bob, cracks on the F14 are very interesting. Attached are 3 pictures of F14’s all with different reverse die cracks, one of which is the same as your own piece. These cracks are of course mutually exclusive, so this means that there must have been 3 different reverse dies used on this rare variety. I also think that the piece sold by Colin Cooke in the Crocker sale may be yet another F14 reverse, but my reference picture is not high enough grade to be sure. On that coin there seems to be a different flaw running between the ship and a border tooth to the right hand side. Did any member happen to buy that coin and can put up pictures to confirm or otherwise?

Thanks for your best wishes with my sales Bernie, think my F7 may be on a par with the Spinks one, but will probably keep this in my thinned down collection......there are some I am going to struggle to let go, despite the constant ear bashing from my wife about my children never wanting them, so might as well spend the money.......I wonder if this mid (late) life crisis is something that all numismatists have to suffer! P.S. Learnt how to do intentional smileys now!!

....why the devil did my 'b' turn into a smiley face when I hit the post button.........perhaps I shouldn't have had that bottle of red!?

Hi Bernie / Pete, afraid those Spink patterns weren't mine, although I did watch the auction most of the afternoon thinking I may pick up an F7 on the cheap, or at least somewhere near the top estimate. Wish I hadn't wasted my time now as was impinging on 5 o'clock drinks time and then went for about 3x top estimate. I was also interested in Lot 1362, an 1874 without H which seemed to have a spike on top of lighthouse, but somehow talked myself out of that one too....have to set a limit and stick to it. I do have an F763 (Gouby A1 + in a mid grade, the one with rotated R, which I may part with in an effort to ruthlessly thin down my collection. Thanks for your best wishes on the 1863 Die 4 Pete, it has quickly achieved 9 watchers since posting late afternoon, already 1 offer but not quite near enough the mark.