VickySilver

Ah, found it at lexicon books: Lexiconbookshop.co.im Mike Southall Coins of the Isle of Man L29.95 plus shipping

So how did it all sort out?

Ah, there is a coin shop on Man, and I forgot the name. The proprietor has written an excellent book that is a bit expensive that I mean to get one day. I'll see if I can find more in the next day or two....

The reason that I offer that opinion is that the surfaces are without the oxidation/toning of even a minimal sort that one would expect to see on a coin 90 years old.Or at least very little. Also even though the coin is base 0.500 silver and it is just seeing it from the photo, there is just that little bit of loss of lustre that one sees on a freshly minted coin or that can be seen under the light [usually] yellow to brown toning. I have a very nice set that I put in a Capitol Plastics Holder (done custom) and I did used to lightly ip many of my coins including some in that holder. PM me if you'd like pictures sent in an email...

LOL Well, dipped in any case but I don't see wear as much as bag marks.

I like it at the discount over print copy, but all else equal would take the printed version.

Nice. I have noticed a couple of the Falkland sets are quite rare - specimen an proof sets of 1992, 1999, and 2004.

"Ah, Grasshopper, be patient." I remember the show Kung Fu with David Carradine.... One (1929) will show up at a lot LESS than 300 USD I would imagine. Have you looked through the pages of Coin and Medal News? Coins like this John Welsh used to have for many years - not sure if he is still about. I wouldn't have used him for more expensive issues however.

Update: no update. I have found a few RM issued proof sets that are excessively rare (more than likely) as they simply do not appear for sale and searches for them are for nought. I wish we could shake loose some numbers on many of the sets struck for foreign entities but that is rather unlikely as we don't to my knowledge even have numbers on the Queen's Beasts coins. I suspect that some of the silver crowns and sets that include them were made only to very small numbers, and much less than authorised mintages; the currency copper-nickel possibly even lower if they were not released as huge batches to the Central Banks or whatever local banking authority was used. I think this makes for an interesting area to collect in the old sense of the word as they may never have much value but generate some entertainment in the hunt.

As Richard has said, the experiences in the past with LCA are that they tend to go with your maximum bid as the sale price even if it seems unopposed. More recently the experience has been variable. I have to say that in America the old Stack's used to go with maximum bid too - not sure if the more recent reiteration of Stacks Bowers is the same.

Here are some key obverse areas you may already know: Brow ridge Mustache edge Cheekbone - this is notorious for marks, even moreso on the crown coin Both top and bottom of ear On the reverse: IMO, the lions are not the key. Rather, the shield edge Rim edge and border teeth (goes for obverse as well) IMO, this would make it into the uncirculated with minimal bag marks. The obverse rim at 10-11 o'clock a bit rough and possible rim tap at 1 o'clock

Yes, that would be 1922. As the article by Graham stated, they were of different gold alloy (and different weigh, thickness, etc.) and were tests for the alloy of the Egyptian series - the accepted alloy was an 0.875 gold/silver that was counterstamped with an "A" on the reverse near the rim. What were they asking price wise? In light of this half crown, I would have to guess at least 40k USD.

I agree, if there are transitional years then there may be "mules" that are just that - transitional. I think of a mule as being obv. and rev. dies intended for different usage that are paired.

Coins went for: 1838 gold threepence 16.8k USD plus 20% = 20.15k 1927 gold half crown 72k USD plus 20%!! juice = 87k Broke my heart to not be able to compete, but WAAAAY too Rich!

Uhhh, smaller than a shilling?

To me the latter looks a bit different and the "London" 1882 Jamaica pennies I seem to be able to spot even when worn. Haven't worked out the technical bits on that (got one off ebay for 20 USD)....

Some very nice pieces there, and one of the best copper 1/2d runs that I've seen in a while. Very Nice!

No. Out of it. Good luck though....

Yes indeed, breaks my heart that I don't have the means for that one.

Also looks good to me, although shopping for just the right coin might net a better example for similar price. That one's been dropped a few times...

Yes, indeed. I like it as well. Funny thing, these '46s and '49s seem to be around in some number and surprised the price has remained what it has on them. IMO, the above 1948 is also a nice coin (and possibly almost as scarce in nice condition). Nice work, fellas!

Paddy, that's always been my favorite date. I have a soft spot for Wreaths as it is them that started me collecting..Very nice honest specimen there!

I didn't get those proof sets - the 1893 went for 55k plus commission!

Wow, sometimes you just "have that feeling", and I had a look around AGAIN and actually found a proof set! Originally this was to be of unlimited mintage and then dropped to 2500; subsequent to that the estimate is less than 50 sets. I think interest had waned in what is essentially a base-metal set and so a rarity was born. The significance is that there may be other sets of similar scarcity out there but since the RM is loathe to publish numbers of mintage or release, we have only anecdotal evidence. I don't understand why they are not forthcoming....

Ha, sounds good but what is the turnaround time? I hate to ask!!!