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I have a 1855 half penny that has some serifs missing on the I in BRITANNIAR. The top one looks like there is a dent on the upright with perhaps the smallest trace of a serif, the bottom one is just not there. Is this a fault in stamping or can serifs just break off over time? Does a missing serif make it rare?Missing serif.pdf

Had another go. Using a mobile phone and photographing through a magnifying glass

I will try and get a better picture with a bit of an angle to it rather than straight on

Second picture of penny. Thank you

Just got hold of this penny. The question is, is it a 1897 penny with a spot between the O and N? It is quite small but I have had a look at some other examples and it looks like it is in the right place. I will send a second picture on another message as the one on this post is near the 500kb limit

I am trying to have a go at grading and identifying any issues before purchasing and this coin has caught my eye on Ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151909645381?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT I have looked at the Rotographic book Collectors Coins (Ihave the 2014 version) also checked some of the auction sites and I think it is the standard 1897 penny. However it just looks too clean, does it look like it might have been cleaned? I can see some fine line in the bottom right hand corner of the reverse. Also the description mentions it is stained on the obverse, is that something I should be wary of? I am going to estimate its grade at VF on the obverse but slightly better on the reverse. If I am right, its not an expensive coin but I want to start sorting the wheat from the chaff. Any help and guidance gratefully received.

Thank you Nordle, the link to their site is very useful for future reference. I can see how getting their grading can increase or decrease the value of a coin. So far the price is £127 and climbing.

Thank you for getting back so quickly on this. So when the seller states that it has been graded by CGS as EF, they are not being truthful?

I have been keeping an eye on this coin on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Extremely-Rare-Victoria-2mm-Penny-1895-CGS-EF-/321939588551?hash=item4af51845c7:g:R90AAOSwAKxWYcef&autorefresh=true With the intention of bidding on it but it looks like there is a lot of interest in it, so probably will not get involved in an expensive bidding war particularly this close to Christmas. Anyway in an an attempt to learn a bit more on the subject I notice that the coin has been graded by CGS but it has a reject verdigris tag on it could anyone explain what this means and how it effects the price one might be expected to pay for it. Do they reject for any other things? I have had a look on some other selling sites and there are a couple of examples on a site called Colin Cooke coins. 2mm. GEF traces of lustre £875 & 2mm. Unc Good Lustre/BU Almost Full Lustre (Slabbed CGS 75) £995. At some point I would like to start purchasing some high quality coins but I understand I have a lot to learn. I am happy to make some cheap mistakes but would really prefer not to make any expensive ones.

No idea if it was cleaned prior to me getting hold of it. Could it be the way I photographed it with a mobile phone and fluorescent lighting? When I tried the acetone I did not dip it just dabbed it with a q tip. Did not get any dirt off with it, the coin looks exactly the same as before I tried the acetone.

Yes it is a pretty coin (thats probably not a correct term to use) I especially like the head of Victoria on the other side. I will certainly be collecting more of them.It is a pity about the fingerprint, now I know its there its annoying me but i will just put it down to experience and look for better examples. Thank you everyone for your advice on my first posting.

Thank you, that was nice and easy. Hope it looks okay when you view it?

I do have a picture, but cannot figure out how to paste it onto the page. Looks like I need to create a URL? Do you know if there is a guide somewhere on the site that tells me how to do it?

Hi All My first post and new to coin collecting. I have a 1856 half penny that has what looks like a fingerprint on the reverse. I have tried acetone but no no joy in removing it. Any help or advice on getting rid of it would be appreciated.