Coinery

Exactly. Hammered coins are rarely precisely described by the grading, partly because unlike milled coins percentage wear and weak strike can be confused. But mainly because even if deeply and well struck, if the design is off centre, the flan small, the strike uneven or just the toning unattractive the coin can lose 'eye appeal'. Plus there's an element of personal choice to it too. Here's my G1/2 triangle shilling. You'll note that there are areas where the flan is thinner and so the design hasn't taken so well. The die is also starting to break up showing some cracks and there are a couple of folds where the silver is bent back on itself. And finally there's some double striking where it jumped slightly between strikes! However it's (unusually) round and full with the majority of the outer edge beading there. And it has a pretty tone. That's the thing about hammered, particularly the later, larger pieces. It's generally a compromise because every single coin is unique and in the end you have to decide what you like or can live with. As for this shilling, while it might not appeal to everyone, it's still one of my favourite coins. I can absolutely see why! The thing for me, as you have pointed out, is the outer beading, which runs hand in hand with my favourite aspect of your coin, the perfect central strike, which gives the coin such a pleasing balance! A very pleasing coin! :-)

There is no point increasing the resolution (despite what you see in the movies), you can't just invent something that wasn't there in the first place. Sure you can average neighbouring pixels or interpolate or some other clever algorithm, but what ever you do it won't be an accurate representation. I wouldn't worry, your pictures look better than most do at that zoom level. Many thanks, Nick. when I converted the cut-out image to jpeg, the program asked me how many pixels I wanted to save it at and, never having played with this stuff before, I wasn't sure what to save it at, I plucked 600 out of thin air. The other point that is worth saying is that JPEG isn't the best choice for preserving fine detail. It's mainly used to produce a good quality image with a reasonable amount of compression - which unsurprisingly is popular on the Internet. However, if you want to preserve the finest detail, then TIFF or PNG would be better choices - although the file sizes will be huge in comparison. I did get those file options, I'll try them out! :-)

There is no point increasing the resolution (despite what you see in the movies), you can't just invent something that wasn't there in the first place. Sure you can average neighbouring pixels or interpolate or some other clever algorithm, but what ever you do it won't be an accurate representation. I wouldn't worry, your pictures look better than most do at that zoom level. Many thanks, Nick. when I converted the cut-out image to jpeg, the program asked me how many pixels I wanted to save it at and, never having played with this stuff before, I wasn't sure what to save it at, I plucked 600 out of thin air. The number of pixels you choose is pretty much irrelevant (unless you choose a small number). How it looks depends on the input DPI, ie a low-resolution blocky input will look the same (just bigger) in high resolution, whereas a high-resolution input will still look reasonable even at low-resolution. The moral is: scan/photograph at the highest DPI you can - you can always throw away some detail later. The opposite is not true. OK, I think I'm on the wavelength now, just! :-) Thanks again, Nick!

There is no point increasing the resolution (despite what you see in the movies), you can't just invent something that wasn't there in the first place. Sure you can average neighbouring pixels or interpolate or some other clever algorithm, but what ever you do it won't be an accurate representation. I wouldn't worry, your pictures look better than most do at that zoom level. Many thanks, Nick. when I converted the cut-out image to jpeg, the program asked me how many pixels I wanted to save it at and, never having played with this stuff before, I wasn't sure what to save it at, I plucked 600 out of thin air.

Rose 18 Does anybody know if you save an image with a greater dpi whether the image is clearer, as the above picture explodes with greater detail in the original. I saved this at 600dpi...any ideas? What would be a maximum dpi to save at?

Here's mine, taken through the plastic of a lighthouse coin flip, so excuse reflections, smokiness, and dust!

You know what, though? I love coins that have good compositional balance, I think this is one of the key aspects of hammered aesthetics ( not forgetting tonal balance, of course), I just wish there was a pinch more of the beading present at 2 O'Clock on the reverse. I'm not asking for full plump beads here, just enough of a 'raise' to pull the reverse design together a bit! Then I would really, REALLY, like it!

Thanks very much for your additions. I did feel something was different about this coin in hand, it had that cleaned appearance, without looking cleaned, if you know what I mean? I was phased by the presence of lustre, not really considering this coin was possibly, as near as damn it, as-struck (it was barely in circulation before the PAS's proposed burial in the 1640's), and looking in my hand as it likely did to the Stuart that buried it along with the rest of his fortune! I rather like it for all that!

That would be very kind. Apparently this coin is from a 2009 auction, would that seem right to you? I'd be really interested to know whether the coin is described as 'bright' or not? Also, do you know whether the coins actually came from the hoard 'bright,' or are these just the ones that were so cruddy they were cleaned? The date is wrong for the sale. The hoard was found in 2009, the first part was auctioned on 14/09/11, part 2 18/01/12 and the final part this Wednesday. Lot 14 or 18 from January looks like it could be the one? Both lots mention multiples of CI shillings with mm triangle in each. "good portrait detail and most with lustre" forms part of the description. Lot 14 had 5 shillinga and 15 sixpences, hammered at £540. Lot 18 had 10 shillings and hammered at £750. Thanks for all the effort, I have managed to find the online photos for the lots you mentioned and, whilst the images are poor, I was able to see that mine wasn't amongst them by assessing the shapes. Hopefully something will turn up, I've sent out a couple of emails, so maybe something will come of them?

That'll be great, the more images to work from the better. I've had a coin-related 'unpublished' domain for some years now, that I've been itching to get out there! Roll on June, then! Thanks Historic Coinage, very much appreciated!

Checking on the Portable Antiquities Scheme, it seems there were 23 Triangle Shillings in the hoard, around 6 fit the weight range, mine's 6.11g!

It seems to share quite a lot of the same characteristics as the fakes that were discussed last time. With this sort of suspicion associated with them, I would only consider buying one from a top auction house or reputable dealer. Or a verifiable provenance which pre-dates the appearance of these copies. There were few copies around prior to 2003 2004ish, and those there were tended to be quite recognisable, and crucially, documented. You see, provenance CAN actually add a decent premium to a coin! ;-)

That would be very kind. Apparently this coin is from a 2009 auction, would that seem right to you? I'd be really interested to know whether the coin is described as 'bright' or not? Also, do you know whether the coins actually came from the hoard 'bright,' or are these just the ones that were so cruddy they were cleaned?

Thanks very much for the information. Re the 'clean,' you see this is the thing I can 't quite put my finger on! It looks new, rather than polished, the weirdest thing, I really got a sense it was straight from the mint when I saw it. Do you know how the Bedale coins came to have a 'fresh' look? I'm thinking that if this is a Bedale coin, it will have been recently bought from auction by someone who presumeably realised that cleaning a coin is not condusive to a good investment! I'm thinking it may have come from the hoard this way, if it is indeed FROM the hoard. Any thoughts?

I really don't know, can't hoards be really well sealed in old pottery sometimes? Maybe even waxed closed, who knows? I'd be really interested however!

Hi, Does anyone have any quality images of Elizabeth I coins that are not protected by copyright? I am so impressed with the book, Elizabeth I, by Brown, Comber & Wilkinson, that I'd like to catalogue as many of the key 'variety identifiers' in photographic form as is humanly possible (busts, roses, shields, leaves, lions, lis, etc.), and create a webpage as a resouirce for any that are interested. I always used to find the line drawings a tad difficult to apply, the penny always dropped when seeing an image of an actual coin. I've chopped out a 4D Bust this evening (below), which needs tweaking, feathering, maybe a little editing, etc. but it's enough to give you an idea of what I'm after. If any images are from coins in your own personal collections, I would happily reference them accordingly. I would be gratefil for anything, even if it's just a rose that is well struck-up, or one single lis on the reverse, even if the rest is an absolute 'dog,' it would still be welcome! If anyone PM's me, I'll surrender my email address for any image files. Many thanks in advance to any who can help and, of course, to any who might be interested.

Can anybody help with a better reference than N2231 for this shilling? Can this be pigeon-holed a little better, I don't yet have any indepth reference books covering this. Also, this is reportedly a coin from the 2009 Bedale Hoard, does anyone know anything about this hoard, and whether this might be a coin from that hoard. This coin is bright (looks cleaned), but without any cleaning swirls, and also has what appears to be small traces of lustre. I can't quite put my finger on this coin's condition, any thoughts?

I agree - it's preferable to ugly toning, and it is possible to dip LIGHTLY without destroying all lustre. what silver dip do you use?

Let's hope not for the buyer's sake! Would anyone care to post a pic of their 1905 HC, I would like to see a high grade one! (It wont be me, mine is gF) Here's mine, any good? If you're after a fake, that'll do nicely. If I was in the market for one of these (I'd love one, one day), I'd certainly do my research well in advance. But, if this is indeed a fake, I have to say that upon first impressions i wouldn't be able to spot it from the pictures alone, not without being pre-armed with any pre-purchase research, that is! Yes it is a fake, I wish someone would point out any clear indicators though as I can't tell the difference Absolutely, anybody out there already done the legwork on this one and holds information that would help in the identification of a genuine 1905 halfcrown?

That's a One Penny, Gary! ah! What a plonker....... ok here's my 1902LT Halfpenny That's really rather nice, I have to say. You'll be pleased with that, then? :-)

Thanks, Peter, It's a shame about the small spot in the right field of the reverse, though!

You'll do well on eBay ;-) If your coin's as good as the one you've posted, I'll buy it! I rather suspect it isn't! Good luck with the collecting, you'll never come to the end of it! Here is an effort, hope it works, I think it is good and this has not been cleaned, any comment appreciated. Very nice, have you got a photo of the other side, and how much are you looking for? Not sure about this side, I forgot what size I made the last one here goes anyway. I dont know what I want I am open to offers, I only started a couple of weeks ago and I collect shillings this was in a pail of coins I got for the shillgs contained in it. I would not be offended at any offer. Dont think this is a good pic. What about a good old-fashioned swap...online, for fun? If you're new to it all, we could have a forum-guided look at a couple of my old shillings, what do you reckon? If you can wait until Sunday evening, I'll post up a couple of options for you to ponder on, maybe the forum chaps and lady could throw in there twelve- penneth worth and help you out? Fancy it? Suits me Coinery not a problem. Thanks for the offer. OK, great stuff, I'll start a new thread on Sunday evening and post up pictures of a few shillings, and see what you think. The last thing I ever swapped was a pannini football card around 1978 or 79 :-) Sorry coinery, old age does not visit alone, out of interest what kind of date/s were you thinking, just to save you going to the bother if I have them. Cheers. I'll have a sift through and let you know what I've got tomorrow, if that's OK?

You'll do well on eBay ;-) If your coin's as good as the one you've posted, I'll buy it! I rather suspect it isn't! Good luck with the collecting, you'll never come to the end of it! Here is an effort, hope it works, I think it is good and this has not been cleaned, any comment appreciated. Very nice, have you got a photo of the other side, and how much are you looking for? Not sure about this side, I forgot what size I made the last one here goes anyway. I dont know what I want I am open to offers, I only started a couple of weeks ago and I collect shillings this was in a pail of coins I got for the shillgs contained in it. I would not be offended at any offer. Dont think this is a good pic. What about a good old-fashioned swap...online, for fun? If you're new to it all, we could have a forum-guided look at a couple of my old shillings, what do you reckon? If you can wait until Sunday evening, I'll post up a couple of options for you to ponder on, maybe the forum chaps and lady could throw in there twelve- penneth worth and help you out? Fancy it? Suits me Coinery not a problem. Thanks for the offer. OK, great stuff, I'll start a new thread on Sunday evening and post up pictures of a few shillings, and see what you think. The last thing I ever swapped was a pannini football card around 1978 or 79 :-)

That's a One Penny, Gary!

You'll do well on eBay ;-) If your coin's as good as the one you've posted, I'll buy it! I rather suspect it isn't! Good luck with the collecting, you'll never come to the end of it! Here is an effort, hope it works, I think it is good and this has not been cleaned, any comment appreciated. Very nice, have you got a photo of the other side, and how much are you looking for? Not sure about this side, I forgot what size I made the last one here goes anyway. I dont know what I want I am open to offers, I only started a couple of weeks ago and I collect shillings this was in a pail of coins I got for the shillgs contained in it. I would not be offended at any offer. Dont think this is a good pic. What about a good old-fashioned swap...online, for fun? If you're new to it all, we could have a forum-guided look at a couple of my old shillings, what do you reckon? If you can wait until Sunday evening, I'll post up a couple of options for you to ponder on, maybe the forum chaps and lady could throw in there twelve- penneth worth and help you out? Fancy it?