Why do coins with a pedigree command higher prices, at auction and in fixed price catalogues, than orphans and bastards of unknown parents and uncertain breeding? Firstly, because their authenticity is usually assured and documented (of crucial importance with rare and costly pieces) and, secondly, because they have customarily been well cared for (better than if they'd been knocking about, year after year, in chemically fertilised plough-soil). This superb stater, probably from the celebrated Lightcliffe hoard of c.1829, has been repeatedly checked and vetted and published in 1882, 1895, 1916, 1917 and 1955, right down to the present day. It is, and always has been, a great gold stater. Now you can buy it for £750 less in Chris Rudd's January Sale, where all coins are greatly reduced in price.        9.1.06