Madness

Here is the eBay listing from which the image was taken: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1787-GREAT-BRITAIN-925-Silver-NO-HEARTS-SIXPENCE-1-Year-TYPE-King-GEORGE-III/202408777702?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

I've looked closer and compared to it to the September proof and an EF circulation sample. Many of the details appear "rounder", especially noticeable on the upper surface of the letters. Could die wear cause something like this, as it's certainly not related to wear.

The grade, assuming everything else is in order?

Can you elaborate? Is related to the toning?

My guestimate: aEF/EF

Yes. Could have been worse. Thanks Chris. Was tempted to chuck in the coin-collecting towel earlier, but I'm enjoying the research too much. The coins will be like small symbols/reminders of what I've learnt, as well as things of beauty in their own right. Great pathway into corners of history I've not explored or even considered.

I've just cleared up this issue with Michael. He said that "bright" does not mean dipped for the coins he sells and that he would mention any evidence of cleaning or dipping when describing the coin. Given his reputation and demeanor in my dealings with him I believe him entirely. Made final payment for a 1787 shilling and sixpence and am looking forward to the arrival of same. A quote from his email: As I always say to every collector “I will always give you a full refund for the coin if you are unhappy for any reason and wish to return it” ! Needless to say I'll be buying from him again as the experience has been far more pleasant than the baptism of fire I got through eBay.

Is "bright" a euphemism for "dipped" as per this example being sold by Michael Gouby? http://www.michael-coins.co.uk/sx1787WH (3).htm

.... [self-pitying rant deleted] ....

Sold guinea for $455 AUD. $150 AUD loss. 🤢 🤮

Of course it's bloody affectation! That's the whole art rock aesthetic and I love it!

Spellbound, you say?

Duplicate - Sorry

Ah! I see what you mean thanks. Does haymarking detract from grade?

Thanks Rob. There is a stop over George's head here, though, isn't there? What grade would you give?

1787 Sixpence My guestimate: EF I almost gave this GEF. While it lacks many of the finer details of the Pingo proof, I think this relates to die issues rather than wear. One of the first points of wear on these coins appears to be the tips and edges of the top laurels. There's next to no wear here on this example. I'm not sure if the lack of detail on the frills of his shirt around the neck relate to wear of or die issues, similarly with the bottom right curl of hair. The top of the reverse has a weak strike as does the Honoverian shield. The details in the Hibernian harp are excellent for a circulation coin. There are some hairline scratches on the obverse and flecking on the reverse. Good amount of remaining lustre. I'm still having trouble differentiating between die issues and wear. I'm also having difficulty interpreting the reflections in images and determining how they relate to wear. Feedback please! btw, what value does Spink give to the various grades of a run-of-the-mill 1787 sixpence? Edit: The seller has listed this as a 1787 Shilling. I believe that it's actually a sixpence because of a. The extra detail in George III's hair to the left of the laurels and b. The left of the base of the bottom of the hair-ribbon loop is squarer and consequently slightly closer to GIII's neck in the shilling than in the sixpence I've asked the seller for diameter measurements in order to confirm.

Thanks for looking out for me @DrLarry. Refund is official with payment pending in PayPal. Waited for this to happen before listing the coin.

Purchase price = $750 If I sell at $600 I'll clear a bit under $550 after fees and costs. Add this to the $200 refund and I'd almost make my money back. I'm not too upset: I've made some much more expensive mistakes than this. Take the time I was obssessed by vacuum tube (valve) audio amplifiers. Spent thousands in bits of glass that lit up when you ran electricity through them. They made great music, but the difference in sound produced by different tube variations and types was mostly only subtle. Also got into building and modifying tube amps. Do you know how much it's possible to spend on boutique capacitors? You live and learn. I'm far less impulsive these days than I was five or ten years ago. I also have far less money!

Thanks Chris. I need to sell the coin for $600 AUD in order to break even. I'm not optimistic that this will happen, but I'm happy that it's not going to be more than a $150 learning experience.

Thanks Rob, but I quickly received the $200 refund and accepted it before having read your suggestion. In any case, I've listed the coin on eBay: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/705-53470-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575378759&campid=5338273189&customid=&icep_item=263875399258&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229515&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg&toolid=11111 Do you think what I've written is fair?