jelida

That is a really sharp piece of work, Bagerap, well done, and thanks for the link. Perhaps EBay should know of his subsequent comments- they might be interested as he implies he is trying to avoid their fees! The idiot! Jerry

'Unattributed' - the seller knows full well it has the WRL stamp, but is less than helpful ! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182600294213?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Jerry

Oh dear, Lukas again, not an E over P, not obverse 4, and yet already silly bids. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232324493021?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT He does have quite a nice 1864 penny though, but overpriced and under photographed. Jerry

That is my suspicion. The feedback shows that it did sell, the actual price remains uncertain, but a lot less than if the auction had run I suspect. Jerry

Sadly not me. But positive feedback has been given, stating a sold price of £11.50. Jerry

No problem, nice to see it there. Is Gouby's original coin one of those featured? Jerry

My first significant additions for a month or more, the 1875 was a steal at 99p, well, despite its condition, it is a 'cannonball' flaw and seems to be collectable. The 1881 F106 is slabbed at AU55 by NGC and is nicer in the hand than the photo, it has nice surfaces and overall hint of 'chocolate' subdued lustre in the right light. It cost me about £80 inc postage. Jerry

Semra did tell me yesterday at the coin fair that they were selling a collection, and that there would be a lot more pennies in the catalogue. I hope so, as there doesn't seem to be much about otherwise in the penny way. Jerry

It appears to be quite a nice example of a Freeman 6 + d, Freeman 29. The date width variations of these early bronze pennies are not avidly collected as every die varied to some extent, the last digit being added by hand. This one is by no means the widest found. No significant extra premium in terms of value, I'm afraid. Jerry

Can you test it for silver? If it did contain silver, very unlikely to be a forgery, the converse is also true. Jerry

More likely i'ts been in the ground, and leached some of the copper into an acid soil. Dug alloy coins are often underweight. Jerry

F10

Stephen Lockett started the bidding for the better 1862 halfpenny date at about 4K, so he either had bids to that amount, or the vendor upped the ante as that was above estimate. The VIGTORIA did well despite poor condition. Jerry

I got the 1860 F15 Gouby G (no line) for £110 and the 1863 3 over 1 at less than I expected to pay for a nice example. Those were all I bid on. Will post photos when we are sorted here in the new house. They didnt have enough power points in the sixteenth century and it will be months before the electrician comes to stay. Jerry

I'll be there, but not sure that I can afford anything, have my heart set on some DNW offerings (not pennies!). Jerry

Is it a car? This morning is a bit of a blur too.... Jerry

Looks to me like three incuse lines delineate the crosses on the shield rather than two raised, so its a Freeman 6, which is also the commonest beaded 1860 by a considerable margin, so not a surprise. Jerry

Beaded both sides I reckon. Clean Britannia's shield and left of lighthouse, cotton bud and water; will tell us all we need to know. Jerry

This is very typical of Saxby, who sells as many "Richard III" as Edward I. He is not a good advert for Ebay.

These sort of marks are frequently found on Victorian bronze (particularly well known are several on 1875 pennies and of course the 1897 O'NE ) and are thought to be impressions on the die from trapped grit etc, or early die flaws. Die studies have shown that they frequently extend to become more obvious die cracks. The positioning is effectively due to chance. Some were once considered possible deliberate 'privy' marks, but that theory has been discounted in the light of further research. Some do collect these, and better known marks can attract a premium. The subject has been well covered elsewhere in these pages. Jerry

The fact that it has come apart means that it is almost certainly a forgery, there are other posts on this issue on this forum. Jerry

That is a particularly nice example of a 'missing waves' penny.

Welcome William, this forum is indeed a fount of knowledge if you can wake the right people. I'm not one of them with regard to decimal, but a search of these pages with respect to a particular coin will often give you the information you require. Unfortunately there is no easy answer regarding modern copies, other than experience and research. There are usually subtle differences in style that an experienced eye can spot, and weight and alloy differences that don't help much if eBay buying. If you are really unsure, buy from a dealer with experience of the issue. But on the positive side, even on Ebay most coins are not fakes. Good luck, Jerry

I dont know of this product, but it sounds very much like the Lindner dip that was popular when I was a kid (many years ago). They do change the coin, not just remove dirt, and this is due to chemical processes removing tarnish hence the lightening. Personally I feel that these dips go a bit further than simple cleaning and into the realm of "chemical enhancement", and I dont use them. A good dealer or Auction House would describe a dipped coin as such, and view it as detrimental. Jerry

Fingers crossed for a rapid recovery Pete! Having worked in the NHS for over 30 years I know the pressures it faces, but for an emergency treatment it is still very capable and more responsive than most private alternatives. I do think the NHS has to revisit its roots and re-purpose and reform to some extent to survive in its primary role, that of keeping the seriously ill safe and resolving their threatening issues. I wish the politicians would keep out of it, and give the funding through a truly independant body of professionals and patient advocates. Jerry