VickySilver

I looked at your lovely 1850 2/6 again and think it likely a proof with what has sometimes been called "aluminum foil cameo" and note that though dated 1839 that I have seen a Deep Mirror Proof Cameo that was somewhat similar & that even for a proof coin, this in very nice state of presentation and better than most proofs. Can we ask the origin, at least in general terms? PS - If you look on the PCGS site under population guide, Great Britain and then look up Victoria milled half crowns there are also some very nice bits: I like the 1839 currency, ex-Gendinning and the 1862 CA proof, ex-Spink that is also very attractive amongst a number of others...

Well, I always like to think that enough money could shake loose a coin but some are rather favoured and we do like to hold on to them. I can not tell if the 1850 is a proof, but give much credit for a beautiful coin - I need to find my way out with saying it needs to be seen in hand. I have seen a "65" that is as well preserved but does not have the lovely cameo yours does. I would have to say it is the nicest I've seen. Not that you would but I think I know somebody (wink, wink) that would probably be a buyer...

For sale? Looks nice there....

Not to derail the thread, but one story I have always wondered about is how Dolphin (Bob I.) managed to get those Pretoria mint proof and patterns - apparently had nearly all of the Brit specimens at one time?!

I hope it does not offend anybody, but that AMR coin is quite a dog. Started "modern" life as apparently gVF or so and then was cleaned and brushed to its current state. Waaaaaaaay overpriced and at least double its real retail value IMO. This has appeared some 17 times in LCA auctions since they kept records according to their site and does not include appearances in lot combos. Some of the recent auctions have gotten a bit heated, but the lesser graded coins simply don't generate the same fight - same has held for the 1854 florin (which above VF I would rate a good deal scarcer).

Oh well,I love the Victorian sixpences, but will confess in my turn to them being a bit boring. I liked that 1854 in the Cheshire sale that was under graded IMO, and the same year shilling on sale at that time as well for that matter. There certainly is some enjoyment in "completing" a series, but a bit sad as well with no more important bits to collect or only those with stratospheric prices left.....

I rather know these coins & have seen more than a few. Remember that though this is a scarcer date that it is on a "log" value scale with the price escalating rapidly as condition increases. I am definitely in the 1-1.5k crowd if you can find the right buyer. Now if you can pull it up to GEF status, you'll really have something. Don't get carried away by comparing to coins better preserved

How about their three coin Britannia Proof set? It's only 45 pounds, so that 's a bargain, right? Well here is what you get: 1/10 oz silver 1/20 oz silver 1/40 oz silver!!!! Don't think I've seen any bullion coins that small yet from anywhere. Silver value has got to be at least 5 quid....Well, maybe not at a 3 spot, I should imagine.

Wow, Peck, if you can find me a G5 florin of currency strike of ANY date with that rim and device detail I would be an instant buyer at your price! I possibly have a bit of background on this series, and have never seen a currency with that much articulation of strike.

Yikes, this thread is turning an adult rating now! I like my favourite bits staying unpopular and more reasonably priced bits. Halfpennies still don't catch my interest, but thought until recent months I had 6d, shillings, and florins to myself. Oh, well..

Not so much that they are found there but rather that grading is many times nicely conservative and prices reasonable.

I'd accept that as a proof, G5 has some nice detail there - wouldn't accept that into my collection. Wait for a bit nicer specimen as they certainly are not rare. You might do well as has been suggested by finding (with some work) a well struck gVF specimen of the currency. If a few extra quid get you a much nicer bit, try for it. Interestingly, I have seen some conservatively graded bits on ebay from places like New Zealand.

The Royal Mint has been known to release "proofs" not up to the standards of Royal Mint proofs!

Yes, I think this phenomenon just a market reality that can not really be ignored, and we have to scurry about for lovely bits with just a bit more energy and diligence. I have a few odds that I have been thinking about selling and am back and forth about the venue. Sometimes, as has been pointed out, they don't quite get the attribution right and/or a significant rarity slips through....

That is really one of my points - this may be a draw on the market pulling coins over into "their clutches". Quite frankly I think it likely crazy not to if you have,say, a higher grade 1893 proof 5 pounds to NOT consign to them, but better have the slab grade. Like it or not, this does create a market force; I think it will gradually squeeze most of us out of many of these coins. Not that I collect big gold, but just saying....

Ooops, the 5 sov.

OK, I guess I've been left behind like all of the other old fogeys, but I was absolutely shocked yet again by prices fetched in the recent Heritage Long Beach Sale: Examples (all in USD) - 1853 6d proof65 1938 but, wait.......1839 6d proof66 2350! 1845 Crown MS62 7050! Worse to come...... 1887 Jub 2/6 proof66 4112! 1887 Dbl florin proof66 4700!! 1887 Jub 1/2 sov proof64 Ultra cameo 4406 1893 Currency crown Regnal LVI MS66 2232 same, in MS65 1468 1893 crown, ordinary proof63 4993!! 1902 crown matte proof62 5287 1937 5 pounds proof66 16,450 same, in proof65 9,450 same, in proof64 8812 I am absolutely astonished at these prices, yet again. I actually have bought from Heritage in years past and got an 1893 Regnal LVII at 600 USD net, and an 1887 1/2 sov in proof63 Ultra Cameo at 545 USD (only 3-4 years ago)... What say readers about the implications of these sales? I just can't take them 100% seriously, but I believe they are. At the least, I would imagine that these type of sales will create something of a vacuum on the market.....

Not to divert the topic (again) but I am with Paulus about LCA and their lack of internet bidding in sales. I would certainly be bidding a lot more, and will not bid at all this time for similar reasons. Meanwhile, I too will be interested in the outcome of the 1860 sales prices....

Please check lot 2851 in the current LCA sale and see if that is not total poppycock as another example of what I'm talking about!!!! Grade ridiculous and not even IMO a proof in a series I might with all due apologies have some authority on....

I'd rather not at this juncture get into specifics but if you look at some of their EF and better slabbed bits you will see. Some while ago I trotted out examples and pictures of a specimen 1935 Jub. crown. Compared CGS85 to PCGS65, NGC65 and raw "handpicked". By far the poorest was the CGS example that even had a corrosion spot, bright green in colour that must have occurred in slab. I frequently see what are admittedly pictures, but representations none the less in LCA auctions that show excessive, dip, or wear or inferior strike for grade.

How about the pattern of three marks below the back of Vick's head - identical, thats a bit interesting as well....Gonna take at some reference bits later on today.

While conflict of interest may not mean corruption has or is occurring, it is certainly more likely than not! I mean really, propriety is a term with meaning and I for one would not care to be accused of COI. Not good. BTW, I have seen some rather overgraded bits in CGS holders as well.....

Precisely & what I was trying to say. Might have a bit to do with relief opposing on obverse?

Had to think about this one, and in balance suppose that I agree although nickel a bit harder to attack with acid than mainly copper planchets - also interesting that the relief appears better preserved and "deeper" in some areas and would have predicted it more even. Also elements such as the denticles will also elongate with a smaller diameter flans but slightly different in my experience than the acid-dipped bronzes.

I guess I am really not in agreement with an otherwise uncirculated coin have edge knocks of mention and still being called uncirculated; only if EXTREMELY subtle or would call it "AU" as dropping a coin on the floor repeatedly would be one form of circulation I should imagine. At less than an ounce of silver, I would call this one a "push[away]"....