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brg5658

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Everything posted by brg5658

  1. The Edward VIII fantasy coins are indexed fully in Giordano's Portraits of a Prince. That is also now the publication that PCGS and NGC use for attribution of these medals/coins/tokens/fantasy pieces.
  2. I have about 2 dozen different designs/metals of the originals (issued from 1999 - 2001). The only ones that are really "low" mintage are those struck in Gold. I only collect those for Great Britain and a couple for Ireland. Of the two 1879-dated pieces you have posted above: 1) The "Three Graces" reverse 1879 Crown was struck in Silver, Goldine (bronze), and Copper in quantities of 790 pieces each, in Gold (1 piece coin alignment, 1 piece medal alignment) and in Aluminum (1 piece "trial"). 2) The "Crowned Shield" reverse 1879 Crown was struck in Silver, Goldine (bronze), and Copper in quantities of 800 pieces each, in Gold (1 piece coin alignment, 1 piece medal alignment) and in Aluminum (1 piece "trial"). Note: The 1879 Crown was also struck with a 3rd reverse -- the William Wyon St. George design. That piece was struck in Silver, Goldine (bronze), and Copper in quantities of 800 pieces each, in Gold (1 piece coin alignment, 1 piece medal alignment) and in Aluminum (1 piece "trial"). The William IV pieces were struck in 2008, the George III were struck in 2007. The Spink 2001 catalog won't help you with these more recent issues. But, many are indexed and can be found in the NGC version of the Krause catalog (e.g., this link to the Silver 1835 William IV Crown). You can search by struck date on the fantasy piece, and the denomination.
  3. This little copper token arrived in the mail today. I just finished photographing it. This is a US Civil War token (1861-1865), a part of the "patriotic token" grouping. It is indexed in Fuld's reference as F-164/312a, and is relatively common. This obverse token design often comes with lack of eagle feather detail, particularly flat or no feather detail on the eagle's legs, and soft or partial strike up of the "UNION" text on the shield. This example is very well struck, and I'm very happy with this one in hand (it surpassed my expectations of luster and quality given the so-so photos that were provided by the seller). I'm also including a close-up photo of some of the intricate die work on the obverse. It is the size of a USA small cent (~19mm diameter). Brandon US Civil War Token, Patriotic c. 1865 (F-164/312a, NGC MS64BN)
  4. brg5658

    MS 64?

    It's not a matter of "stricter" or "looser" -- you're making apples to oranges comparisons. The US and UK use two completely different grading scales, period. Of course they don't "map" to one another -- as they were developed independently and have always been different.
  5. Brown only lists this medal as having been struck in Silver. BUT, I have found a handful of copper examples floating around via web searches -- supposedly unlisted and dating to 1897, but quite possibly later restrikes since the copper pieces are not indexed in any of the medal books. Actually though, I cannot find another silver example in any easily accessible auction records or online searches.
  6. I have been relatively quiet this year so far with purchases, but I did pick up a new Queen Victoria silver medal this week. Of the 90+ silver medals commemorating the Diamond Jubilee and indexed in Laurence Brown's British Historical Medals, this is one of only 3 listed as RR (very rare, approximate mintage of 30-50 pieces). The relief on this medal in hand is just unreal -- I have no idea how many blows were required to strike it up fully on a medal press, but it is impressive. This is indexed by Brown as BHM-3535, and is indexed by Whittlestone & Ewing as #3062.
  7. It was attempted in the 80s, then again in the 90s, and probably a half dozen times again since. Computer grading of coins can't easily pick up things like luster, eye appeal, and the difference between "as minted" issues with strike versus post strike circulation. It sounds good in theory (and would certainly be consistent assuming you never change you algorithm) but has thus far proven untenable as a business idea.
  8. brg5658

    MS 64?

    Two comments. 1) I'm not defending NGC, but it's hard to make any good judgment call of the grade from pictures like that. I will say that MS64 isn't exactly a glowing endorsement of the coin. It is certainly UNC, and MS63/64 are the most commonly assigned grades to UNC coins with no large or obtrusive gashes, rim dings, bag marks, etc. You may also note that in the USA grading system, a full/strong strike is not a requirement at grades below MS65. This is philosophically counter to the way that UK collectors grade UNC coins. From what I can see in the pictures, I don't see anything that would necessarily bring this coin to below the MS63/64 range. Lastly, NGC is an opinion -- nobody says you have to like it. 2) The price is irrelevant, as it is an asking price not a sold price. People can ask whatever they darn well please for their coins. This one is high by my standards, but it's easy enough for me not to click on the "Buy it Now" button.
  9. @Paulus, I'm glad to see you snagged that very nice Middlesex 1017 on David Stuarts site. That one was one my "watch" list for a long time, as it is a really nice example (if even a common token). Your write-ups on your site are also very nice! I recognize a couple others among your collection from David's site also. Great eye!
  10. Something a little different. I collect toned copper, so this one is for that set.
  11. I didn't "get" it slabbed, it came that way. I have bought plenty of expensive raw coins but sometimes the nicest coins available in the USA are already in plastic. Heritage, Stacks, Goldberg, etc. by and large sell slabbed coins. It is what it is.
  12. Well, have you been on the londoncoins website lately? They have plenty of really, really unattractive dull gray/silver untoned and in my opinion lightly hairlined (cleaned) old silver coins in CGS holders. My comment was definitely hyperbole, but also based on some reality in that light cleaning on coins with full detail seems to be overlooked a bit more by CGS that it would be by either of the two main TPGs in the USA. I don't want this to become a thread hijacked by TPG banter, so I'll leave it at that.
  13. I'm realizing how bad my first posted images were of this coin. Here are some better images I just took -- and a zoom in of the shoulder area.
  14. Ok, @Paulus called me out (rightfully so) on my hyperbole. My point was moreso that I would never send anything to CGS from the USA anyway. There is ZERO market for CGS graded coins in the Americas. Not to mention, I don't really care what brand of plastic it is in for the next 30-35 years while I own it -- so regrades, cracks, etc. are just a waste of money. It's just a means to protect it. PS -- @Paulus, I like that 1911 Florin!
  15. Yes, we've discussed this at length before. CGS tends to prefer overdipped, lightly cleaned, 300-400 year old untoned silver. The fact is that silver tones with age. There is no such thing as a blast white "original" silver coin that is 300 years old.
  16. There is no wear on this coin. The shoulder is not 100% struck up, but it is lustrous and no signs of any circulation or wear in hand. Weak strike is not equal to "wear" -- at least not on this side of the pond. The coin is really hard to photograph given the almost glassy iridescent toning over both sides of the coin. There are faint adjustment marks across the bust, where a bit of metal was removed before it was struck. The reverse glows, and all four crowns are very well struck. Just my personal (and probably biased) opinions. I have seen a lot of this "common" ESC-1147 issue, and they don't come much nicer than this one in terms of eye appeal, original surfaces, and luster.
  17. Really nice sixpence @Paulus! And, your photography is really good!
  18. Not to distract too much -- but I wouldn't say the "rainbow coloured stuff" floods the American market. It's actually pretty hard to find attractive and original toning on silver coins, regardless of the geographic market you're in (not hard in the Maundy series though). It has taken me 5 years to find 4 coins to my liking... That being said, I have developed some thicker skin from all of the jabs at the American market.... To each his/her own... @Paulus, some wonderful coins you've been posting here. I won a shilling in yesterday's Heritage auction, I'll post it when I get it in hand and have a chance to photograph it.
  19. Been a while since I've posted here. I picked up 2 new Conder tokens about 3 months ago. I finally got around to photographing them. 1793 Warwickshire halfpenny token, rare 1794 Lancashire halfpenny token, common
  20. It sold for a little less about a year ago at Heritage, and even a little less about a year earlier than that. Now that the dealers are done flipping it amongst themselves, it will remain in my collection for the foreseeable future. It was a part of the Elizabeth MacPhail Charters Collection, a Canadian woman who died at the age of 96 in 2012. It was slabbed sometime between Jan 1990 and mid-1995, so has been stable in color for at least 20 years in its current slab. If it were to show up on the CRO website or some other such site, I suspect I would have paid another 60% more than I did. Sometimes you have to pay up for special coins.
  21. It appears so...but there were 3 1816 sixpences in that auction, not just 2. It was the Dec 10 Heritage auction. And, no it wasn't cheap -- but I don't strive to buy only "cheap" coins. And, I think I could get my money out of it in a heartbeat, with a little profit if I wanted. But, I love it, so it's staying with me.
  22. I know how much you all love colorful coins and American TPGs....so here is a Christmas present for you all I bought this little gem in a Heritage auction a couple weeks ago. Happy holidays, Brandon 1899 sixpence, PCGS MS65
  23. Purchased this token about a month ago. Just got around to photographing it. It has a good amount of red remaining, and the detail work is just stunning. I really don't like red copper coins, but this one has mellowed enough for me to like it. 1795 Yorkshire, Halfpenny token (DH-63)
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