Zebo

Love the medal, the photo and the write up. Nice! I had a private behind the scenes tour of the inner workings of the canal, underground and above ground, but did not travel through the canal by ship. Your photo is an interesting one as it makes the canal look a bit smaller than it really is, but shows the locks very nicely. Thanks for sharing.

Just saw the thread. You did the right thing - it’s fake.

Good discussion. Thanks Kurt and Roger.

https://colonialcoins.org/c4-publications-2/ http://eacs.org

Ditto - well deserved

Always good to be a member of a club. You will pick up something from it. How far are you from Nashville or Pittsburgh. Two good shows later this year.

I didn’t think I’d have an answer so quick or be able to give the answer tonight as I was headed toward the FUN show, but things happen. You guys are good. Bob is right - It’s a Trial Proof or Die Trial. You will notice the cuts on the obverse where the engraver was marking possible modifications of the bust and location adjustments. The final photo is of the final design. Mike - it is from the Soho Mint. the original photo is deceiving as it is of the reverse, if you can call it that. The image looks raised (at least to me), but is actually incused. Reverse: obverse with engraver cuts/adjustments final design

2nd hint - it was struck at a mint in England during the first quarter of the 1800s.

Because this is a hard one - I’ll provide hints along the way. 1st hint - its British

Not who - what is it? How or why was it made. What characteristics does the portrait have. That sort of thing. It does remind me of Ebenezer now that you mention it.

describe what you believe this piece is and also any details about the portrait that stands out to you. Why was it made? What was it purpose? Also, what do you think is on the other side of it.

Cannot wait to read it - should be very interesting. Thanks

Same to you! The new year has begun well. Many opportunities to excel!

There’s a 2015 edition (2nd) I believe that can be picked up for about $10. Why not give it a shot.

There is a lot to be said for collecting a variety of different coins. More history, different designs, different designers, collect what appeals to you. There is also something to be said for collecting and specializing in a series including having a finite goal. If you collect by variety, it adds an additional challenge. varieties are often subtle and there is a sense of accomplishment when or if you find a new one. Either way is fine - why not do both? As far as the Virginia half pence goes, I believe it would be very difficult to determine a variety on a well worn coin. There are loads of mint state examples for that, some rarer that other and some that you will never likely find - at least with a reasonable price tag. The history of the coin is very interesting.

31 varieties now and counting.

Thoughts about the only colonial coin to receive a proclamation providing the approval from the crown to mint and use in the colonies? The Virginia half pence after a long and repeated attempts for approval was finally received in the colonies on 16 November 1774. The timing was interesting because earlier in that month, Virginia had its own Tea Party. The tea was dumped into the York river. News traveled slowly in those days so the crown would not have heard about it until after the half pence, which was struck at the Tower Mint in London, arrived in Virginia. Very interesting coins with a lot of hard to identify variations. This would be an interesting and challenging set to collect. Any collectors of these want to chime in?

That’s what a second mortgage is for!

Go for it - it’s a good series to collect.

Love the idea of the tokens and the connection that you have with them. It’s always great to tie items with family members that have past. As for the Garrett. Maybe we should have a detectorists meet up.

Merry Christmas!

Better hurry if you want one on special - time is running out.

Very nice print. I like to support forum members who write books, produce artwork and the like. So if you like Lincolns, buffalo heads, Mercs, SLQs, WLHs or Morgans, you should take a look. All are very nicely done. I have mine and am very pleased with it.

I’m jealous! Nice pick up. I wonder what the deluxe version has in it that the below doesn’t. Also sad news on the Clucas collection. It contains many counterfeits and all have been cleaned by the museum for display.

Itemize, itemize and itemize. Once that is done you can start researching in earnest.