Coin aquisition of the week.......

[ozjohn 472]

Thanks Vicky

[Peckris 2 1,840]

On 3/18/2020 at 11:53 AM, VickySilver said:

For some reason, well struck and detailed1920 and 1921 half crowns with good colour and lustre have become my favorite G5 coins. OZ, yours is very nice!

First or second obverse 1920? You can get wonderful examples of the first, but the second shallow head is harder.

[VickySilver 648]

Actually on aesthetic grounds I like the first of the 1920s. I posted mine I believe (don't ask again as I have "pie"itis) which is very near to a matte proof and nearly flawless - almost begging me to grade it. I also have the specimen ducktail 1920 that I posted (on PCGS website in Pop Reports); these two are my favorite G5 collection coins in all probability.

Oh, heck, here is the specimen:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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1 / 1

(1920 1/2 Cr Satin) (Proof) PCGS PR61

[ozjohn 472]

Interesting  I didn't know that there were proofs for 1920 coins. By the way a very nice coin indeed.

[RLC35 286]

12 hours ago, VickySilver said:

Actually on aesthetic grounds I like the first of the 1920s. I posted mine I believe (don't ask again as I have "pie"itis) which is very near to a matte proof and nearly flawless - almost begging me to grade it. I also have the specimen ducktail 1920 that I posted (on PCGS website in Pop Reports); these two are my favorite G5 collection coins in all probability.

Oh, heck, here is the specimen:

 

 

 

 

 

 

•  
• 

 

 

1 / 1

(1920 1/2 Cr Satin) (Proof) PCGS PR61

 

Beautiful specimen. It looks better than a 61 to me! 

 

[VickySilver 648]

Yes, in hand there are no hairlines or scratches or wear. Absolute mystery as to how it is less than a 65 or so.....

[JLS 209]

7 minutes ago, VickySilver said:

Yes, in hand there are no hairlines or scratches or wear. Absolute mystery as to how it is less than a 65 or so.....

Might be worth resubmitting for an "appearance review" (at least that's what NGC calls it). It's probably the toning which is pulling it down sadly, PCGS has a thing for blast white (dipped) silver. You might have better luck with NGC if you care about such things. 

[VickySilver 648]

I just might - I don't like 61s on proof coins at all. This coin was given no break for rarity as it is believed to be unique.

[Peckris 2 1,840]

6 hours ago, VickySilver said:

Yes, in hand there are no hairlines or scratches or wear. Absolute mystery as to how it is less than a 65 or so.....

Gorgeous .. but possibly they graded low due to not being 100% whether or not it's a proof? The variable width of the reverse rim seems a tad suspicious for a proof.

[VickySilver 648]

Interesting point, but not sure the RM was always so fastidious with proofs as we like to think. The edge milling on this coin is nearly sharp enough to cut your finger and has the "duck tailing" mentioned in Bull, and the devices are as sharp as I have ever seen - much better than the 1924 proof/specimen. Not sure if this is the coin in his book.

[Paulus 1,806]

Just landed, my new Group III type 3b example. It has some nice provenance, including:

Ex Grant Francis collection, Glendinings 03/1920, Lot 138 (illustrated in G. Francis' paper 'Silver Coins of thee Tower Mint of Charles I, Chapter II, BNJ 1917)

Ex. R.C. Lockett Collection, Lendinings 17/10/1961, Part V (English), Lot 4477 'very fine, rare'

Ex Lord Rodney Smith of Marlow collection, purchase by Spink, 1969

Ex J.G. Brooker collection,  SCBI Brooker 324 (this coin)

[Peckris 2 1,840]

9 hours ago, VickySilver said:

Interesting point, but not sure the RM was always so fastidious with proofs as we like to think. The edge milling on this coin is nearly sharp enough to cut your finger and has the "duck tailing" mentioned in Bull, and the devices are as sharp as I have ever seen - much better than the 1924 proof/specimen. Not sure if this is the coin in his book.

Or possibly a proof strike that was rejected to a slightly offcentre reverse? Then rescued by someone.

[Diaconis 644]

20 hours ago, Paulus said:

Just landed, my new Group III type 3b example. It has some nice provenance, including:

Ex Grant Francis collection, Glendinings 03/1920, Lot 138 (illustrated in G. Francis' paper 'Silver Coins of thee Tower Mint of Charles I, Chapter II, BNJ 1917)

Ex. R.C. Lockett Collection, Lendinings 17/10/1961, Part V (English), Lot 4477 'very fine, rare'

Ex Lord Rodney Smith of Marlow collection, purchase by Spink, 1969

Ex J.G. Brooker collection,  SCBI Brooker 324 (this coin)

Lovely Provenance Paulus👍 Did you receive some nice tickets with it?

[Paulus 1,806]

Just now, Diaconis said:

Lovely Provenance Paulus👍 Did you receive some nice tickets with it?

Thanks, only the dealer's ticket sadly!

[Diaconis 644]

Shame a lot of tickets are lost🙁

Here are the Grant Francis catalogue cover and Lot page. Mentioned as EXCEEDINGLY rare (at the time), enjoy.

Edited March 22, 2020 by Diaconis
resized

[Paulus 1,806]

Bloody marvellous, many thanks!

[Unwilling Numismatist 503]

This just arrived, and it looks alot nicer than the sellers pictures presented it. I might even venture it to be Maundy, as the polished fields are really bright.

[VickySilver 648]

I'd vote Maundy with the excellent strike, and PL appearance. I like the 3d denomination since it is linked into the currency coins and seems "real" - whatever that means....

Currency vs. Maundy 3d has been an ongoing controversy for many including myself as there are some specimens that individually are difficult to discriminate.

 

 

 Somewhere I have a proof 1882 Maundy set (ex-Spink) which is good to see for comparison.

[Sword 1,227]

Just brought this and awaiting delivery. I guess grade is EF and good strike. 

[1949threepence 3,289]

On 3/22/2020 at 12:27 PM, Diaconis said:

Shame a lot of tickets are lost🙁

Here are the Grant Francis catalogue cover and Lot page. Mentioned as EXCEEDINGLY rare (at the time), enjoy.

Fantastic - almost exactly 100 years ago.

Love some of the phrases like "the obverse a trifle double struck" and "prostrate anchor".

[Paulus 1,806]

Progressing my Charles I halfcrown type collection, just landed:

Group IV Type 4

S. 2779 N. 2214 Hawkins 4 Bull 436/30 (this coin) wt 15.03g

Provenance:

Ex Emyr George Collection, bt Spink Auction 84 21/05/1991

Illustrated as the plate coin in The Halfcrowns of Charles I 436/30, page 377, Volume II

[Sword 1,227]

Superb portrait of the King on horse! This portrait is particularly impressive when well struck as it shows a three dimensional effect.

(And I have got to say that your photos are much better than the seller's!)

Edited March 28, 2020 by Sword

[Gaz T 128]

On 3/21/2020 at 3:57 PM, Paulus said:

Just landed, my new Group III type 3b example. It has some nice provenance, including:

Ex Grant Francis collection, Glendinings 03/1920, Lot 138 (illustrated in G. Francis' paper 'Silver Coins of thee Tower Mint of Charles I, Chapter II, BNJ 1917)

Ex. R.C. Lockett Collection, Lendinings 17/10/1961, Part V (English), Lot 4477 'very fine, rare'

Ex Lord Rodney Smith of Marlow collection, purchase by Spink, 1969

Ex J.G. Brooker collection,  SCBI Brooker 324 (this coin)

Lovely coin. 

[Paulus 1,806]

Latest

[Paulus 1,806]

I've been lucky enough to acquire 3 more Tower Mint halfcrowns from Maurice Bull's own collection.

Here's the first of them (dealer's pics)

Halfcrown Group III, type 3a1, plume over shield. mm tun (over crown) both sides (1636-38)

Reverse legend reads CHIRSTO AVSPICE REGNO

wt 14.52g

S. 2773 N. 2209 Brooker 336 (this coin) Bull 284b/23E (this coin)

Provenance:

Maurice Bull Collection 284b/32E

John G Brooker Collection 336

Colin Adams Collection Spink Auction 177, 1st December 2008, lot 108

Mark Rasmussen List 6, 2004, Coin No. 158