Hello

[Jules]

Hi

I'm very new to coin collecting and even newer to this forum. I'm interested in British coins 1900 -> decimalisation, I don't know much about the subject yet, but I'm enjoying the journey. One thing I thought I knew though, was that 1933 pennies were exceedingly scarce! However, while browsing the website of a prominent dealer in British coins, I spotted two 1933 pennies at GBP 125 each. My eventual thought was that they must be replicas, and that this must be so obvious to all but me that the vendor doesn't bother to point it out. Can anyone help me?

[Rob]

Hi

I'm very new to coin collecting and even newer to this forum. I'm interested in British coins 1900 -> decimalisation, I don't know much about the subject yet, but I'm enjoying the journey. One thing I thought I knew though, was that 1933 pennies were exceedingly scarce! However, while browsing the website of a prominent dealer in British coins, I spotted two 1933 pennies at GBP 125 each. My eventual thought was that they must be replicas, and that this must be so obvious to all but me that the vendor doesn't bother to point it out. Can anyone help me?

Scarce is a slight understatement as there are thought to be 2 1933 pennies available to collectors. Coins with altered dates appear on a regular basis and there are also copies available, but as the last genuine 1933 penny to change hands in 2006 cost the new owner £45K, nobody is going to be fooled by a coin on offer at £125. A well executed altered date does have some value though because by definition there can never be more than one or two people able to own the proper thing and it is the key date for any penny collection.

Edited April 13, 2010 by Rob

[Gary D]

Hi

I'm very new to coin collecting and even newer to this forum. I'm interested in British coins 1900 -> decimalisation, I don't know much about the subject yet, but I'm enjoying the journey. One thing I thought I knew though, was that 1933 pennies were exceedingly scarce! However, while browsing the website of a prominent dealer in British coins, I spotted two 1933 pennies at GBP 125 each. My eventual thought was that they must be replicas, and that this must be so obvious to all but me that the vendor doesn't bother to point it out. Can anyone help me?

Scarce is a slight understatement as there are thought to be 2 1933 pennies available to collectors. Coins with altered dates appear on a regular basis and there are also copies available, but as the last genuine 1933 penny to change hands in 2006 cost the new owner £45K, nobody is going to be fooled by a coin on offer at £125. A well executed altered date does have some value though because by definition there can never be more than one or two people able to own the proper thing and it is the key date for any penny collection.

If it's the online coin site I'm thinking of the owner of those 1933 pennies is being very cheaky. They are a couple of the replicas readily available on ebay for £14.99

[Jules]

If it's the online coin site I'm thinking of the owner of those 1933 pennies is being very cheaky. They are a couple of the replicas readily available on ebay for £14.99

Ah, glad I didn't stump up the 125 quid then

[Peckris]

If it's the online coin site I'm thinking of the owner of those 1933 pennies is being very cheaky. They are a couple of the replicas readily available on ebay for £14.99

Ah, glad I didn't stump up the 125 quid then

Be even gladder : the replicas aren't very good, and don't much resemble the currency issue. Which is probably why a currency penny cleverly faked with an altered date (very convincing) went on eBay for around £200.

[Jules]

Be even gladder : the replicas aren't very good, and don't much resemble the currency issue. Which is probably why a currency penny cleverly faked with an altered date (very convincing) went on eBay for around £200.

It worries me that a dealer would sell such a coin without a clear description of exactly what it is, even if it is a 1933 penny which everyone should know about. Still, this thread has been a useful lesson for me, for which I am grateful. It will be a while before I dare buy any coins on eBay!

[1949threepence]

Be even gladder : the replicas aren't very good, and don't much resemble the currency issue. Which is probably why a currency penny cleverly faked with an altered date (very convincing) went on eBay for around £200.

It worries me that a dealer would sell such a coin without a clear description of exactly what it is, even if it is a 1933 penny which everyone should know about. Still, this thread has been a useful lesson for me, for which I am grateful. It will be a while before I dare buy any coins on eBay!

If there's one you find yourself interested in, but are uncertain whether or not to make a bid, why not post a link to it on here, and get the view of the forum ?

Happy to help