jelida

I have emailed Coin Cabinet. This is really poor. ☹️🤡

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I would say it was modern Chinese cr*p. It’s awful. Jerry

Just been to the mailbox for today’s mail, and found a lovely Sovereign Rarities catalogue dedicated solely to Bernie’s Collection, this is a keeper and will have a value of its own one day! To be fair it may have arrived before the auction, possibly yesterday as leaving the log fire in this weather isn’t tempting in the foothills of the Black Mountains. Snowy, Brrrrrrrr! Jerry

Wow! Did you win anything Richard? I won the 1862 8/6 as an upgrade, MS62 for a bit over 2k I thought very reasonable (and I know what you paid for yours Richard, jammy ***). Also the MS 63 F9 mule at a bit over 4K total, again an upgrade and one of the ones where the auctioneer missed the flurry of bids that came in after mine online, but decided that my bid was the winner as she had set a precedent with earlier lots. If it stands, a decent coin with fewer marks than the MS64 and £1500 less than the comparable Cope example. Although prices were high overall, some of the ‘commoner’ rarities were undervalued, the ones you mentioned and I think the F103 and F69 and F28. Jerry

Lines from polishing the working die would be raised, but from polishing the planchet would be incuse. Jerry

Nice legend error, yes definitely EN not ON. Mass or Blunt would be good research sources. I’ll have a look tomorrow if I have time. Jerry

Straightforward obverse 6 reverse G but a tidy enough coin. Jerry

I would say it is Freeman obverse 6, Gouby J with the close B and complete rose brooch on bodice. The reverse is Freeman G (introduced in 1861) , wide date and sea extends over linear circle. Jerry

Not actually a recent purchase, but while we are on 'missing leaf' pennies, here is my F22 for addition to your list if you wish, Richard. Jerry

Of course Richard, you really don’t need to ask me, it’s to the benefit of all penny collectors and a bit like organ donation, the presumption should be towards the greater good unless the donor has specifically objected. Jerry

The reverse.

Not really a variety, but a 'missing leaf' 1860 F15, a really clear one with absolutely no sign of the absconder. But clearly a die that suffered a lot of fill with much of the inner circle missing too. Several double struck letters that I don't see on other 'missing leaf' obverses, but interesting that so far they all seem to be obverse 4.

Yesterday at the Midland Coin Fair, an F28 for only £3. Always worth a rummage. Jerry

My 1892 ‘fat face’ obverse is the 14 tooth date width, and the 13.5 tooth date is the ‘normal’ obverse. Though let’s hope this particular nomenclature doesn’t catch on! Jerry

She was said to be unhappy with the jubilee portrait of 1887- 1893 silver and gold; perhaps the same applies! Jerry

In the same way that the tooth enhanced obverse D is designated ‘D*’ in Freeman, should we be looking at an ‘R*’ designation here? Particularly if some dates do prove to come in both varieties. Jerry

Well, I would certainly avoid the big companies that advertise gold coins for investment purposes in the colour supplements and magazines, they tend to price way over the top. The price of gold bullion changes on a day to day basis, and the value of for example a sovereign will also vary depending on whether you are buying or selling. And if you decide that you also want your coins to be rare, or in particularly good condition there will be a collector’s premium as reflected in Coin Catalogues such as Spink. I would strongly advise attending a coin fair such as those held in London, The Midland Coin Fair or the fair held in Yorkshire. There you will se a large variety of gold coinage at keen prices and can talk to bullion dealers and will enter the market with a far greater insight. Jerry

And I had looked at this specimen at £50 in a dealers tray at the Midland Coin Fair many times over the last year or two, but left it thinking it was an F763 (I have several); but when it dropped to £17.50 I thought it worth a punt. On closer examination I think it is an F8B, on the basis of the relationship between last colon and cape, and the position of the 'dimple' left by the worn rose. What do you think? Jerry

one of the newly discovered 1889 'missing serifs', £6 on Ebay. I have looked at many 1889's, seems scarce. Now I just need an upgrade.... Jerry

And a 1875 'cannonball' from an online dealer, £11 plus £2.50 postage.

Time to show some recent acquisitions, I have had a couple of bargains in the last couple of weeks. Firstly a nice 1898 'last 8 bisects' from the last Midland coin fair, unrecognised and £35.

Yes, a nice example of a lamination flaw. Jerry

Wrapped in tape and dipped in acid. We’ve discussed this effect before on this forum. Jerry

It is the bottom of the leg of the 7, there is an illusion that the leg of the 7 comes down the left of the void of the 8, when in fact it comes down the right side and aligns perfectly. Jerry