secret santa

Don't you start - it's bad enough 'er indoors going on and on.........

It seems to me that, in general, auction houses are taking less care and interest in the cataloguing of lots at a time when they could and should benefitting from the lack of coin fairs, dealers' premises etc. It looks like pure apathy and laziness to me.

Well done Mike. I got mine completely by chance as I didn't know it was a DFF until years after I'd bought it. I read somewhere about it and checked my coins and there it was !

I suspect that they won't add to their reply above ("The Royal Mint have alerted us to a minor printing/spelling mistake on the packaging of these BU Packs.")

Looking through the folder for this set, I've noticed that, for the John Logie Baird 50p, they write "From an early age he showed ingenuity, setting up a telephone exchange to connect his bedroom to his friend's houses." So, either his friend did have more than one house or they should have written "to his friends' houses." Perhaps this is the error in question ? I will continue looking.

The vendor has sent me some new pictures but they are still a little ambiguous (in my opinion) regarding whether the lustre has been previously enhanced, and so he's going to get it checked by a local coin person who will advise him on condition.

There's too much to show unfortunately - a cardboard cover and then 4 double sided pages. I keep looking but can't spot anything wrong.

Although I loved the complexities of grammar and punctuation while at school, and still do so, I fear that all our pedantry will soon count for nothing. The BBC who used to be "the" example of spoken English now litters its programmes and announcements with use of the glottal stop wherever possible and uses a pseudo-patois in order to relate to ordinary people. Among its leading stars are people like Jay Blades, seemingly a thoroughly decent chap, but one who crucifies the English language at every opportunity. The English language is being eroded before our very eyes and ears.

I recently bought the 2021 Uncirculated set from Westminster Mint because it contains the Decimalisation 50p with original 1969 obverse and then received a letter saying that I should return it as there is an error and they would send a replacement. I asked for more details but they would only say that: "The Royal Mint have alerted us to a minor printing/spelling mistake on the packaging of these BU Packs." I have looked for this mistake but can't find it so I'm inclined to keep the set in case there's a more important mistake that might prove to be a rarity in the future. Has anyone else heard anything about this "error" ?

The penny is now withdrawn so either an honest person has pointed out its true identity or an unscrupulous person has tempted the unknowing buyer into a bad deal.

Great work !

I think you must be mistaken Martin, I've never had any privileged access rights.

Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes. (my Latin "O" level).

Count me in - 1 2 3 o'clock 4 o'clock rock.

I can't wait................... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DETAILS-TO-FOLLOW-GREAT-BRITAIN-UK/363301610497?hash=item549676a401:g:GcgAAOSw8-VgM~XT

I see that DNW have a 1953 VIP proof set in their next auction and yet the penny in the set is a standard proof die pairing (C+b) whereas the 3 previous VIP sets that I've seen had a penny with die-pairing of B+a (currency obv and toothed rev). Have DNW mis-catalogued a normal proof set or was the VIP set produced with differing contents ?

All pictured on my varieties site.

If we use it often enough it will become accepted. Remember how the word "quiz" was born !

They've now removed it after I contacted them. They said that Ebay led them down the route of describing it as F8B which I can believe given the way that it can steer advertisers who are not familiar with what they're selling, to something similar.

Good enough for me...................

Totally agree - I just need to know when I'm going to go. I'll add that to the stupid questions asked at Corona Virus briefings.

I'll add it to my rare penny website tomorrow.

I'd appreciate photos of any 1961-65 pennies with missing waves.

Those sales were scandalous (for Hiram's family) but great for collectors. Individual items like this one were recognised by collectors and realised their true value but the bundles were often under-described and achieved less than their value. Hiram's lack of cataloguing contributed to this but make sure your inheritees don't get ripped off. Catalogue your coins !!!

Yes, he is. You'll have to work it out - a bit like The Masked Singer.