Paulus

Thanks VS, that clarifies things a little ... I imagine though that 'normally' proof coins were referred to as such, by the Royal Mint and numismatists alike, in 1937 and before? And thanks Rob, guess it is a bit of a moot point really, but I like to learn these things! So in terms of 'superiority of die/strike' (and maybe other things) it goes currency > common year proof > specimen / polished dies > VIP proof - which is kinda what you would logically expect!

I have a question regarding, well, terminology I guess. My 1937 proof set is stamped 'Specimen Coins' on the original box (I think they all were), and yet these are proof coins. My 1935 'specimen' rocking horse crown has no stamp on the box and is not a proof. Am I the only one who finds these description a little confusing? I also have a 1960 'polished die' crown - is that a different process again? Thanks to anyone who can shed any light (on these reflective fields!!)

Hope it goes well!

Sounds interesting! Yes pics please! 60mm is small????

Much appreciated!

linkify

And that's really my point Rob ... clearly it is a massive advantage as a seller / dealer to have pics that flatter (but truly represent the coin in hand), while as a buyer, needing to have the coin in hand before making a final buying decision leaves us where we were before the digital age - and that's not always an option one would be willing to take, without an option for a no-quibble return. Tell me, long before I started collecting seriously (8 years ago or so), how did it work? There were not web sites, or even pics available in auction catalogues in some cases, did you have to totally trust the auction/sellers' descriptions/grades? There must have been a totally different culture to it all back then! I guess reputations must have been crucial? I would also love to know your views on the 4 pics of the GII shilling I have posted

Thanks Pete, I know this is something close to your heart too! No doubt I will try 331 and on and on, but I would so love to get it nailed! It will still be different depending on the coin, may be I am too bothered about it, but when I look at some pics I think why can't I get close to that? (e.g. BRG's), and when distance buying it is very important to take into account the 2 pics that are often all you have to go on, and appreciate that the coin may well look better/worse in hand ...

I must say Declan the descriptions for your eBay items are second to none! I do not routinely check them against Davies and Groom, even when I buy from you, I know they will be correct!

Or this (attempt 330 - the only difference is in the lighting angles, but very important I know!) Opinions eagerly sought

Attempt number 329, this time with a black background ... an improvement? I am just too close to it now to make an objective judgement!

For me it's like any significantly restored antique, down to the individual how they feel about it, which might be partly down to the extent of the restoration

Agreed, Paul Redford his name is

Looking at the CGS population report for 1887 DFs, they have variety 06 (Arabic 1 'J in JEB has no to left serif' (population 13)) and variety 07 (Roman I 'Broken J in JEB (population 1 and a very recent slabbing, so presumably yours?) Doesn't necessarily help much unless the 'Broken J' in the Roman perhaps exhibits the same 'no to left serif', which is unclear from their pics. Is yours a Roman I?

Nice one Stu, even I can see that it says 'Richard' on it! But I don't collect these and don't have a copy of Withers, I'm sure it will be ID'd in no time though! link

Lots of recent negatives regarding modern fakes in seller's feedback - hope that's not you Saxon! And well found Richard!

The pics won't open for me, sorry

Let's try a different coin. These are 2 pics of the same coin, taken with the same camera, which pic would make the coin appeal to you most?

If you want to sell it a London Coins auction is a good option. It's a nice grade and should do well

I am referring to auction items like this, rather than those listed under 'bullion' link At the time of typing, this item is already at £33.45 delivered, for what is less than £20 worth of silver. Maybe some collectors actually want them in their collection?!

Bullion coins always seem to sell for more than spot bullion prices on eBay, can't imagine why!

Don't suppose you have a Dutch Cromwell English silver example by any chance? What are VOC coins?

Yes, what is your focus? Do you have many English coins?

Nice one, I am 'green' with envy! And welcome to the forum, what else do you have?

Still battling away, and still struggling Anyway, I am hoping some improvement is noticed, including the lack of a blue hue. Still want to employ BRG or a professional photographer! Anyway, here's my hopefully better pic of one of the coins in the OP