Colin G.

I have to say that there is definitely variety in the date spacing, but this is not uncommon, even in coins dating up to the 1890's. I am interested in such varieties on farthings, and you will see from my site there are plenty of varieties even in the later dates of the 19th century. The important questions are: Will it command a premium? - Probably a small increase over a typical coin of that date but until a variety is widely known and coveted by collectors the real market value will be unknown. Is it of interest? - To variety collectors like myself, yes (but only if its a farthing ) Just my humble opinion of course

Many happy returns Chris!!!

Other than books covering the copper and bronze coinage (Peck, Bramah, Freeman etc), there are no specific farthing books that I am aware of. It is a project I am looking into at the moment. The Colin Cooke catalogues are the only other literature that used to have features on varieties etc.

Hus, Where do you get yours from?

Hi, I have been trying out some slabs that you encase yourself, not yet found a UK supplier, and have to buy them from a guy in Canada, but my coins have been in them for 12 months without any ill effects yet. They are great because you offer some protection to the coin, but I like to re-examine my coins and compare them repeatedly, so when I need to photograph them etc I can safely take them out and put them back in when ready. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=120426034972 Added bonus is that I can also label them myself with my collection ref numbers etc.

Well you made a very good choice by getting that one!!

Scott, The 1858 is definitely a small date farthing, which is much scarcer than the large date variety. The trouble with them is that not that many people are aware of the variety, so you have to target farthing collectors to get the better price for it. I would not get too obsessed with book prices, they are good as guidance, but you will do very well to achieve book price for every coin you purchase. For example an 1886 farthing in Spinks at EF gives a book price of £15, if I could get £15 for every EF 1886 farthing I have I would be a very happy man!! Market forces determined on the day you purchased that nice looking 1840 farthing, that the price you paid was the price it was worth. Now it could be that other factors lowered the price that day and that is why you got it at a good price (sellers photo was not very good, cup final was on etc). If this is the case then you can get a better return on the coin you purchased. Spotting varieties is another way of obtaining bargains (such as the 1858 small date), and a good way of educating yourself on coin varieties. If you have a look at the 1858 small date varieties on my site, you should be able to match it up to a die combination, and I have one for sale in my shop which should give you a general idea on prices, but it has been sitting there for 6 months so obviously no-one wants one that much at the moment!!

Looks fantastic, order placed, looking forward to reading it. Congratulations on what looks like a job very well done!!

Never mind, it looks military so may yet have an interesting tale to tell. Definitely looks like a trade weight to me, might be worth having a look on UKDFD, it is a database for detectorists, you may be able to find a match with some of the identified trade weights

Very nice Bob!!

As standard the 1954 farthings do tend have a thicker rim than the other farthings in the series, and there seems to also be some variation in the thickness of the thicker rim, but there is no clear defined varieties, they really do vary in degrees of thickness. As Scott says some automatically stand out as being thicker, but there are not two clear cut varieties in my opinion, but a mix of thicknesses. Probably an area that warrants more research, to check the variance in coin diameters and rim thickness etc

I have a proof 1860 SL Dollar in an NGC tomb that I cannot photograph because of the tomb. Those new NGC holders with the nibs are even worse, they show the edges all right - at the expense of the face and reverse of a coin. I have to agree, what were they thinking with those latest holders, they are just ugly!! As for Slabbing in General, they are here to stay, and I think there is some benefit in a UK company slabbing (I have seen some bad mistakes made by the US companies when encapsulating English coins). I have to admit CGS do grade fairly harshly, and I think you can sit fairly comfortably when purchasing one of their coins regarding grade, however the premium that they are after seems a bit high to me. As has already been stated, some of the prices appear to be exceptionanly expensive, but I suppose market forces will determine whether they are acceptable. To some extent I can understand it on the GVI & QE2 coins, because they still have to go through the slabbing/grading process and therefore the costs must push the prices up on these coins to the £20 mark. I can agree with Tom that I prefer to see a coin in the hand, and grading does not take into account true eye appeal, but I am sure there is no way of cretaing the perfect system in such a subjective hobby. I have a couple of CGS coins, but they were bought in auctions at what I viewed as very good prices, but they would have been a lot higher if I had purchased them through the CGS website!!

Yes happy new year to you all!!

James I would say the O/G situation is caused by a die flaw, I have been fooled by similar things in the past, it is surprising how much a die flaw can look like another letter etc. The I and R look to have been recut, but they are only slightly visible. The early Viccy bronze coins are like the George IV series, there was alot of die tampering going on.

Those microscopes are great pieces of kit!!

Its too late at night for me! James, Thats the first sign of madness having a topic all to yourself and talking to yourself in it http://www.myfarthings.co.uk/Coins/Gerogeiv1821.htm Not convinced its the G/O but I will wait for closer images before passing a definite decision

Bob, I have seen a few examples of that one, and as you say it is very clear, yet very few people actually spot it

This is why I'm developing quite an affair with George IV farthings. Given the small date run, the incidence of errors and varieties is remarkably high and by no means completely documented, so this one doesn't surprise me at all. I have inter alia an 1825 R over R in REX which I've not seen listed anywhere. Geoff The George IV series does have a vast amount of repunching done, and cataloguing it would be difficult if not impossible. I have tried to pull out the clear repunches, such as the 1825 R/R which is very clear. I only know of two thers to date, so it appears to be quite a scarce one. This is the first 1826 I have seen with the G repunched. I have examples of this for the 1825 and 1822 farthings. Thats another one I iwll have to get added

Any chance of some photos?

There are a couple of programs about including one, details or contacts for which was posted on this site in the last couple of months. I use Access for details of my collection. Me too!!

Here is the 200x. Bob C. Bob, I have bought one or two of these in the past. They are not THE 1843 Roman I variety, because on that coin the 1 and 8 are almost touching, however it does give the impression if lit correctly (like your first picture) that it is a roman 1. I have seen several of these on ebay go for decent prices where people mistake them for the Roman 1 variety.

It surprises me that such an error, does not command higher prices.

Keelan, Have a look at my website (link below) head to the Victorian Bunhead farthings, and see if you can match it to any of the types there. There are quite q few varieties for that particular date. Any queries drop me an e-mail.

His latest feedback (8th July) describes him fairly and accurately!!!!!!!!!!! Oh great they remove the "rude" feedback and then the honest feedback, but leave him on Ebay!!! Have they lost the plot? So now not only have you got to leave positive feedback, but you can't use wording to warn other sellers. Perhaps if they bothered to check the fact that he was using his "ME" page on ebay to sell items, they may look at things a bit different!!

Its a bit of a direction change for you, I don't think many had hammered coins!!!