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coinkat

Unidentified Variety
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Everything posted by coinkat

  1. coinkat

    1880, 8 over 8 Penny

    Located this variety several years ago- I submitted to NGC - no attribution with an AU55 Grade
  2. "Accurate" and "Conservative" are different concepts in grading
  3. coinkat

    Churchill Crown Double Die

    I doubt that I have the ability to get a decent picture that illustrates the doubling and then post it here. I will see what I can do
  4. Greetings from across the pond: Let's just start by getting past the question why I was looking at some Churchill Crowns. So this is what we have- a fairly decent example with doubling at Churchill's outer eye brow extending down his nose, lips and chin. I did a goole search for die varieties and nothing helpful came back. It really does not look to me that this is machine doubling- especially at the chin. While this crown is not highly sought after, it would seem this Double Die variety would have already been discovered and made its way into the mainstream of modern UK errors. I suppose its possible that it has and I am just unaware of it. I would be interested if there are others here who could provide any further comments as to whether this coin has already been discovered. Thanks in advance as I can appreciate how this whole subject seems rather strange,
  5. Unfortunately, I still have not found anything to suggest it is an inverted V.
  6. Greetings from across the Pond: What an interesting forum- thanks to those responsible for making it possible. This will be the first topic I start so in an effort to keep it topical, I will simply ask: How rare is this variety - the grade would likely make a low British EF? I know it is in the older Coincraft catalogs from the1999-2000 time frame, but it does not appear in Spink. Could that be it is just not seen as a compelling variety with little interest? Any thoughts?
  7. Congrats on the attractive addition
  8. coinkat

    Hello everyone

    Welcome
  9. Half pennies are not high on the priority list, but I will buy them when the price is right.
  10. In terms of buying, it never hurts to look at auction catalogs mainly because it helps establish a point of reference how often certain coins are offered and their condition. As an example, seems that a quality Gothic Crown or even a quality Cromwell Crown will surface with greater frequency than a quality George I Crown. Then, think about a specific date within a series- how often do you see a 1697 Crown? Does anyone here monitor the activity of coins of interest?
  11. The aforementioned observations as to the 1901 1d that was graded MS66 Red is exactly why I have used the greater fool theory in describing market activity. That coin, even in 66 red, will not likely maintain that value. There is the potential that a significant quantity still exist and more will be graded. While an argument can be made that it is a condition rarity, the valuation is still off even for those that are obsessed with having to have the finest. There are a few similar factors at play: 1. Those collectors that have to have the finest; 2. The surviving population of the coin in various uncirculated grades; and 3. Determining the valuation of a GEM that is among the finest known in contrast to an average uncirculated example. These factors have been considered for decades in the US as to US coins. I doubt that the same analysis and thought has been applied to the British, French or German coins. And for certain British coins, we are going to develop a better understanding and appreciation for both rarity and condition rarity.
  12. Seems that Victorian coinage is as popular as ever.
  13. The surviving population is more significant than the quantity minted.
  14. Tom; i agree with your observations-especially about the consistency in strike/quality. Obviously, it is a huge problem with Hammered coins. It also is a problem with early milled coins. We have the hindsight benefit of looking back, more often than not, with a critical eye that does not account for production. As you know, flecking and hay marks can appear on milled coins from Charles II even up through George II. Instead of these coins being a piece of numismatic history, most collectors will not have anything to do with such coins. So in part, the problem over time is being an issue of expectations. And the expectations seem to be moving higher to a standard that cannot possibly be met. Going back to a concern you expressed in terms of grading and distinguishing between wear and the quality of the strike, with milled coins one can always take a good look at the fields and the high points on the design/portrait and look for lustre breaks. Also, within the series, one can and should develop an appreciation for the dies, the quality of the strike by dates and the grade range for the surviving population. The Edward VII Shillings or even the Florins serve to illustrate the points. For the most part, the strikes are not of a high quality and the portrait of Edward VII is weak as a general rule. With the exception of 1902 and 1910, these can be deceptively difficult to find in MS-especially one that is well struck. These coins were spent and not many were saved which is why monitoring the surviving population tells the story over the mintage figures. Ancients were the rage during this time and even finding quality Canadian and US coins from the 1902 -1910 time frame seems to be an equal challenge.
  15. In terms of a true GEM, I do not recall seeing one. My example by UK standards would likely be a lower end EF and AU55-58 by US standards.
  16. Interesting read... Being on the other side of the pond, my collective thoughts are based on my experience in coins which dates back to the Nixon Administration. US collectors and the US Coin Market in general has accepted the Sheldon scale and it is just different than the grading standards in the UK. Consistency is critical in grading and that seems to be the challenge-especially evaluating coin series, the variation in dies, the strike and accepting that not all coins even from the same date and denomination are created equal. Somve e collectors are willing to pay more for coins that represent real quality for the grade. And that is often reflected by auction prices realized for coins graded by either PCGS or NGC. I have not followed how well CGS coins have fared at auction. I suspect that there remains a reluctance of slabbed coins in the UK for numerous reasons-Some seem to be well founded and others less so. TPG has its place for condition rarities as well as rarities for authentication purposes. There is some benefit to having slabbed coins. However, it really does not help with lower grade coins or those with a limited value. As others have pointed out, coin collecting has a side that is based on hype, telemarketing and even something that I often refer to as "the greater fool theory"... The US coin market is different in terms how coins are promoted, valued and sold. I do not see that changing as to US Coins. With World coins, there seems to be a growing interest which is being driven more by external factors and that will continue. More coins, especially quality world coins will ultimately be graded as it adds to liquidity and consignment options.
  17. The claim of the finest known coin can simply not be supported based solely on what CGS has graded . Such a claim can only extend to the finest graded by CGS-nothing more.
  18. There is a difference between finest known and finest graded- CGS should not claim finest known, but finest they have graded.
  19. coinkat

    1892 Florin

    Nice images- looks to be EF by British standards and easily in the AU55-58 range if graded by a US TPG.
  20. coinkat

    Generosity

    Thanks PWA1967 -Not trying to get anyone upset, I am curious as to whether the rarity of the coin itself or condition rarity would influence the collector decision to use CGS.
  21. coinkat

    Generosity

    PWA1967- Just curious-can you tell us what the coin was or even the coin series and approximate grade? I ask because I am curious if it is more of a condition rarity or just a coin that does not surface frequently. I do not see any harm in asking if the coin can be returned in the event the coin does not meet expectations
  22. coinkat

    Generosity

    Welcome- Interesting comments. Not sure where to start. Collecting has changed significantly over the years. There is a greater emphasis on condition today than there was 40 years ago. Grading is critical for several reasons with the goal being to describe the state of preservation which will help establish a range in the coin's value. TPG has a history dating back to the 1980s with the intended purpose to help with grading and leveling the playing field leading to sight unseen trading. Grading has a subjective component and I do not see how that can be removed from the process. TPG has its place in the hobby even though some collectors reject the idea of coins in slabs. Whether a collector wants to have slabbed coins is a personal choice. Certainly not all coins need to be slabbed as it is just not cost effective. I prefer to buy raw coins, and if I feel the coin is worthy of grading, I can submit it. TPG can help for those coins that have significant price spreads between grades.
  23. coinkat

    Alexander III thoughts on grade

    Sorry... I misunderstood.
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