VickySilver

I have a bit of bias in any case as I do not at all care for the Weyl and other private non-RM patterns. The silver series of 1863 drive me up a tree. I once bought an 1860 "penny" struck in silver that was a Weyl - and still have it. I think I will sell it one day but probably as I am in America slab it up and put it in Heritage.

What did that one grade? If I had to grade from pictures alone, I would personally go higher than VF certainly - maybe AU53 or 55? Of course the 1925 date comes very softly struck and often without a lot of lustre, but as you will note the sensitive cheek, brow, mustache, hair look to be virtually free of wear, with a very nicely [for issue] struck reverse. Main concern: base of the neck truncation that probably has to be seen in hand to judge severity of friction IMHO. On second thought this may be at the 58-61 level. I will see if I can show a picture of a "raw" 1925 that was hand-selected 20 or so years ago later today.

I remember that Baldwin's sold an 1863 (!) proof florin about 10 years ago for 1250 quid! That coin was subsequently graded Proof 63+ cameo.....Maybe 8-10x that now?

Yes indeed. I don't imagine it is collectors purchasing these coins.

Yikes....And what about the prices fetched in the St. James's February sale of proofs (silver) - I am out on purchases in these venues at these prices even though this [was] my forte!

The bits up through halfcrown of 1831 in proof seem to show up more frequently than the 120 mintage would infer....

Upcoming in the 16 April Noonan's auction is a superior 1893 Jub. Sixpence (NOT mine!). This coin demonstrates the sorry strikes for this coin as the hair detail, etc. looks to be aEF but inspection of the rims shows very little wear & the topmost details of the leave on reverse wreath also suffer... This would be difficult IMHO for the TPGs to grade as technical with very little wear might be AU50 or maybe 53. Anyway, this coin not far off the graded MS61 but all so far short of the PCGS64 specimen that I believe was ex-Colin Cooke.

Ah, thanks then Rob. Out of my wheelhouse...Thank God, don't need to spend any money right now!

Some of those 1st century Roman are just plain fantastic! Don't know about Motcomb - what was the focus of that collection, and what will be the sales venue Rob?

Yes, that one had better look improved with in-hand inspection. At times they are puzzlers for sure, and given that there are some superb specimens out there of this date and denomination would be a "hard pass" as they say these days...

Weigh the 6d please.

Well, I just don't essentially trust Bitcoin or the other [IMHO] knockoffs as their basis for value seems questionable at best. That having been said, I suppose if you get in and out on a gamble you might make out. Just not for me, but more power (and prayer) to those that do.

Good pickup and always happy to see continued interest in the silver coinages! Diameters, sad to say, had escaped my notice other than the "Godless" florin did appear a bit smaller...

I will say that sometimes there is a loss of lustre. One method that works well also is the ammonia diluted with no dye. I have used it many silver and one of the very best for nickel or copper nickel coins....

Significantly MORE than I recently paid for an actual Record Proof 1958 halfcrown - I do see these coins as possibly worthy of a premium but as per above I can see maybe 250 for the 3d. I recall a 1946 Record Proof 3d going for about 600 pounds, but that was ~5 yrs ago. Also, on Heritage not long ago they sold a set of the three 1953 coppers in proof in grades that were by recall Ultra Cameo 67 for about 700 USD. I don't don't who is buying these coins as even I pass on these.

Hmmm, I would def. avoid ammonia on copper or copper alloy.

We call it "rubbing alcohol" (not suitable for drinking!) over on this side of the Pond. A decent solvent and one of the choices. I have really come along to liking ammonia with no dyes, etc. for copper nickel or even silver in its alloys and even gold - not that implying this choice is encycopaedic but only amongst the possibilities..

Yes, I have noticed this too and can catch you out with late night bidding, or if after a beverage or two....I sometimes lose the connection on the "refresh" though....

Yes, although the tricky side is the obverse. Don't get me started on the "H"s!

Wow, Richard, exceptional coin there for the comparo - can we see a quick shot of the obverse?

I agree, very impressive. Now if they could only pull of a '19H, I might be a buyer at Ali Baba prices! Oops, shouldn't have let that out....I am always unhappy with the 19H's... The obverse looks almost of the '26ME quality & treatment of hair detail....

That coin almost looks to be of electrum composition??

Should have redacted the addressee!

Finally the Royal Mint responded:

I second that. However, I have not concentrated on farthings despite having a couple (or two)...