secret santa

Just bought an interesting coin - matt proof 1953 penny but struck with the circulation obverse die (121 beads; A of ELIZABETH to bead) rather than the proof die (120 beads; A of ELIZABETH to gap). I suppose it's logical that, if they were struck for photographic purposes, they would strike examples of both circulation and proof coins in a matt finish.

Pete You don't know all the facts and you may be right but - I did not click to follow the seller, I did receive notification that it had been despatched with a tracking number that Ebay now tells me doesn't exist, I did send emails that weren't acknowledged, I have received a refund on that basis, attempts to click on the vendor were met with a message that the vendor does not exist (at the weekend) - but now they have reappeared. Something is very strange. Maybe my computer has been hacked ? I have now contacted the seller again to ask their side of the story and if things are cleared up to my satisfaction, I will apologise to the vendor and get the thread taken down. Satisfied ????????

I even sent emails outside Ebay with delivery receipt set but didn't get acknowledgement back. Most peculiar.

I've just removed myself as a follower but would be interested to hear what their view of my Ebay case is.

Just checked that link, Matt and it has my photo as a follower !!!!! Something very strange happening.

Around 2 weeks ago I "bought" a Squirrel Nutkin 50p on Ebay for a friend. The vendor was a "nicholsonmelanie" with plenty of feedback history (although I never checked it) and was offering the coins at £2.50 and open to offers. I offered £1.50 and accepted the counter offer of £2.00. To cut a long story short, the coin never arrived, the vendor removed all trace of themselves from Ebay, never replied to emails and I received a refund from Paypal. Now, he/she only made £2.00 on this transaction but I wonder how many people were fleeced like this. I guess some people will put it down to experience and not apply for refunds but this person will probably be back under a different name to make some more money from unsuspecting people. £2 from a lot of people adds up over time and is likely to entice more buyers than an expensive rarity.

and reverse

Pictures attached (in separate posts)

Just checked my spares and I've got one of those doubled A's.

Ouch - first time I've been called a parasite.

Great work Ian........................but you really must get out more

Clearly a Chinese forgery - sea doesn't overlap linear circle, numerous other errors of design.

Spink sold a nice one in June 2014 for £3120.

Could it be a Y from a halfpenny die/punch ?

Really nice reverse on that one - not often you get to see Britannia's toes on Ed VII coins.

I don't imagine collectors will be very keen to supply sales data to dealers so that they can charge us the maximum ! We're all looking for bargains.

Matt, is there anything important beneath the black splodge top right (click on tools etc etc) ?

Thanks Matt

Only one per customer, I'm afraid, Terry

Magnificent...................

Can you download pics Pete ?

Yes that's fine - better than Spink and now on the website (example 15) Thanks R

Well done, Mike, nice addition. I'd quite like a photo for my website if you're happy - the Spink photo was down to their usual standard.

Terry's new Victoria obverse with 2 extra teeth got me pretty excited.

Whatever system is adopted, there will always need to be an "owner" to arbitrate on whether a proposed obverse or reverse type is, or is not, a uniquely defined type. For example, Freeman did not distinguish between the 2 obverses used for circulation and proof 1953 pennies, the only difference between them being a single additional border bead and thus a slightly different alignment of legend to beads. Gouby's Victoria reverse ja is so minutely different from reverse j that some may argue that they're essentially the same. Freeman's George VI obverses 1 and 2 differ by the minutest of legend to tooth alignments, so minute that Gouby calls them the same. Good luck (and thick skin) to whoever is prepared to take this on.