Unwilling Numismatist

I got 3 last week, I was hoping they'd look a little less circulated than they do.

Are there any distinguishing features other than the strike and the finish which could determine a proof? My Rev A has a look about it, but due to it's hard life even if it were a proof in a past life, it certainly doesn't pass for one now - an early strike is the closest I'd personally give it until it can be proven something else. Rev B's are what my comment was related to - I remain unconvinced, but keep an open mind.

Do you have notes of the analysis, I'd be happy to correlate the data into something pie-like if it would lend itself to that.

Sweet! I'd best start saving some more!

Don't forget the Young Head and there are some variations in date width, however I'm not sure these would really qualify as a variety. As for proofs, I remain unconvinced, as early strikes with good preservation are akin to a "prooflike" appearance. Given the existence of commemorative sets for 1887, it wouldn't be out of the realms of possibiility, however I am yest to see anything that thoroughly convinces me for the common shillling. there are certainly other 1887 coins which would meet the criteria, so I am keeping an open mind and watching carefully. I wish I had the time and nearby location so that I could hear it all!! She's a lucky young lady, Attached for the fun of it are some pics of my most photogenic shillings (a,b and c), however they were unfortunately mistreated before arriving with me.

Thank you as well, that's a very nice example

Just because I was poking about in the washers, and I don't really understand sometimes.... Is the Normal date like this: and the (suspected) 3/2 date like this?

The date is only 9 teeth on the JH, but I agree now that you said it, the teeth are longer on the YH. Never noticed before

It may also be due to my slightly dubious lighting, however I have just installed a new striplight to replace my 2 independant spots, so I'll give it a whirl with "even" light and see if there is anything more to it @Peckris 2 thanks for that, I'll revisit mine and see if I have anything going on there! - that was a JH wasn't it?

Hi Lucy and welcome to the forum. Once you start looking closely at these small circular metallic pieces of art it does get a little harder to forget them thats for sure. Check out all of the books in the banner above, they all make for good reading and a great intro to collecting, then acquire what you like the most. The best words of wisdom are echoed time and again on here, buy well, not for the sake of it - many lower grade coins make an accumulation rather than a collection

Indeed, that's why I wanted some further clarification It does indeed look the same. I need to re-check my R/B though to ensure I have my full set of marbles, and then revisit my others. I think I've more varieties than I thought but I keep selling the damn things so I might have to start keeping hold of a few more!

With the R/B some show a protusion to the left of the front leg of the R, which isn't obvious for a normal R/I though, that's how I iunderstand the difference, is that corect?

@1887jubilee Is there such a beast as and R/I/V for the withdrawn type. I ask because the underlying serif on this one is too far to the right for it to have been from the V.

M - 1000 d = 500 c = 100 c = 100 c = 100 (looks a bit iffy though due to wear) l = 50 v = 5

out of interest would you happen to have any images you could post or mail me please Peck?

Paddy, there are 4 you should look for (at the absolute minimum). Obviously YH, JH withdrawn, JH Wreath and the JH with JEB (on* the truncation, not under it - these seem to be the most elusive and fiscally rewarding).

* Side note for techy parts: The new forum software will now give the option to clear the editor (I think your old post needs to be > 24 hours for this to show). In the event that you do not get that option, simply refresh the page and that should clear it. Either the Browser "refresh" button, or press CTRL+F5 (works in most browsers) ** Resume thread topic ... That's a nice hold with a penny around it!

Hard boiled eggs?

Thanks @1887jubilee - over a dozen R/I doesn't suprise me, I have 2 and thought a third but that turned out to be an R/B - but not the one with R/I on Britt. I think I need to make a weekend of heading towards the south, I keep telling @Paddy I will drop in to see him Is there any news on the fabled book as yet, it's something I've been looking forward to since I first saw mention of it around 2010. Kev

I am over 99.9% sure I don't have anything out of the ordinary I just have this strange desire to try and get one of each silver sixpence coin for 1887 in reasonable grade. Don't think I'm going to achieve a full set in unc any time this or possible even next decade! A good book on the subject would certainly help - I think I remember @Rob mentioning something over 130 varieties for the year across the whole coinage? that could be a lifetimes work which I don't fancy at the moment but it gives me scope for the future 🎓

With the rise of contactless payments, that route is definitely becoming less easy, especially when most change is either 1p or 5p.

This was a very subtle attempt at clickbait for @1887jubilee .. I was kind of hinting at how the book might be coming along, but I do subtle rather too well at times I think

Just wondering exactly how many varieties there are, I'm missing JEB on trunc and the R/I/V, but I have a few of them. I believe there are 20ish but can't find any sensible resource to confirm it. I do need to check them all for the correct obverse / reverse combos but I would be extremely suprised if I have any of the less common ones given how much I haven't paid so far I currrently have: YH JH (withdrawn) R/I Vcitoria R/B Victoria R/V Victoria R/I Britt A/A Victoria R/I Britt JH (Wreath) I appreceiate any input

Lol, I think they have the cost of silver rather confused with Gold.

I bought the whole set of early strikes, I figured these might be a little bit hard to get and wanted a clean set. Unfortunately I think they will probably be minted in the billions. I just need to add some instructions for 5th generation Kev to open in the year 2200, and they might fetch more than a tenner.