Colin G.

It does not seem that long ago that I was staring at Obverses and Reverses trying to figure them out, it is surprising how obvious they become with time. Just keep looking and you will start to identify the differences. I know it can be a bit daunting when you start out, but asking is the best way...otherwise you can drive yourself crazy

That would be Obverse 3, you do get used to them with time....this may help http://aboutfarthings.co.uk/A10%20Victorian%20obverses.html

Took you a long while to Photograph that Reverse

I think that ay actually be some form of adhesive on the coin rather than a lamination of the surface, the letters do not appear to be damaged, which you would expect with lamination

And you weren't tempted to get the tin snips out and make it fit

Lower grade examples are in flips, and then higher grade are in envelopes and then top grade earn a home made slab. I have to admit I look at them in the flesh less than I used to, I tend to use images now...quite sad really

Just wanted to say hello to a fellow farthing fanatic.....I understand why many people recommend cabinets and they do look very nice, but I have never used one. I have my collection split between albums, and my own slabs. I use the Lighthouse Optima albums with pages that hold coin envelopes/2" x 2" flips Acetone will normally work on removing the green residue if it is PVC, but not a great substance to have sloshing about, and definitely trial it on a few of your less favourable bits to ensure you are happy with the results first

Lot 2780 NGC Graded MS-64 - Est $350-400

I agree Rod's information on the site is very user friendly and well worth a look for learning identification methodology

Like I never left

Nice to see the sarcastic underlying tones are still here

Good to see all the old faces still here......I had planned to go to some of the Midland fairs but life just seemed to get in the way all the time. So can anyone give me a summary of what has happened in the last 12 months or do I need to read all those threads?

Hello strangers, thought it was about time I made an appearance again, seem to be getting some time on my hands again and the coins are starting to call again!! In the meantime I have become a grandparent as well....so coin collecting is definitely now more fitting as well. Hope you are all well, and for those that joined after I made my departure....hello

I chuckled as well

Back to the original coin, unfortunately it is the commoner type of 1881H farthing, Cooke Type A (My Reverse type 1). The H is lower in the scarcer variety, however they often do get confused by the description H to the left. Judging from the photo I don't think the coin has been cleaned, but given the fact that it is the more common variety, the value would only be a few pounds. As for grading, definitely VF, marginally maybe a bit better Don' get too put off by the friendly welcome here...it is all part of the initiation!!

Normally the reference to a frosted portrait is a feature where the dies may have been sandblasted and then when the die is subsequently polished those areas in relief remain somewhat frosted (showing the sandblasting). Similar to the feature applied to many modern day proofs, and often described as "cameo" over the pond in the USA. That is how I would interpret the description, in that it is a coin showing a visual difference between smooth fields and the portrait. I would see it being highlighted as a positive feature not something that would necessarily detract

Many happy returns

CC cleaner is an amazing piece of kit, recommended

I notice they have another mis-attributed mule farthing encased in that sale Lot 3878

Windows 8 certainly didn't have the facility to roll back when first released, and as one of its victims I can confirm it created chaos...hopefully they will have learned from their past mistakes and will ensure this OS has a roll back feature. I have to admit I hated Windows 8 at first, but I am slowly coming to terms with it and 8.1 was a definite improvement. I decided it was time to take the plunge or you get left behind with something that is ideal for you until it stops working, because then the transition to the newest version ends up being a mammoth change rather than progressive steps

I must admit I have found Microsoft support to be very good via their online access. Each time I have had my issues resolved (in one instance remotely), by staff who were individually rated by customers........I think you need to lose the telephone Rob, talking to qualified people about problems on a phone is just a distant memory !!!

Rich the 1862 large 8 and small 8 are a different subject. The 1862 large 8 is actually a different style of digit which would be better described as a fat 8. Where the alternative thinner 8 is encountered it is often recut over the "fat" style 8. The example above involves a digit which is substantially much bigger in size than the thin or fat 8. It is also important to note that the issue of the sizing of the A in the legend on the 1825 farthings would appear to more to do with die fill/deterioration. The legend font is not a different size, but has deteriorated/become filled with debris which has the effect of making the lettering appear smaller in size. Finding a farthing of this type without any recut/legend deterioration can in itself be quite a challenge!!

Cliff, I would also be interested in full images of both sides of the coin if you can provide them. They can be e-mailed to me directly, so I can compare the dies.

Cliff the fat 8 and thin 8 details are included on my website for 1862 farthings. For 1862 the fat 8 farthing is much scarcer. The fatter style of 8 was then encountered on a proportion of farthings from 1863 through to 1865. However I think in relation to your coin you are highlighting the much lower and wider bottom loop of the underlying 8. This is a type I have not yet been able to confirm with certainty, however I am aware of its existence. I also have an example in fairly low grade and I am convinced it may actually be a halfpenny sized 8 used in error, and overlays would seem to principally support the theory. However I need to see a higher grade example to be certain, so it is not yet included on the website. Yours would be the second example I have seen but that does not necessarily mean anything extra in terms of value...anyone else got one?

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