shagreen

If it is a die crack the opened crack would result in a raised or convex feature on the coin. The picture looks more like lamination problems with the planchet "blistering" during its production. Lamination features typically reveal missing metal in contrast to raised metal from a crack

From memory, their silver bullion value was less than the denomination so they had to be classed as token

Here are the same two proof farthing obverses from the Verene collection under different lighting, with the copper version again presented as the upper coin. The use of a chemical dip in bronzing does produce a more even color/tone - again complicated by variation in toning over time

Hi - I have attached copper and bronzed proofs pictures from the Verene collection, as the bronzing was actually a chemical dip, the surfaces are much more even in colour - allowing for toning variation given the 200 years passage of time. Will send next the same two farthings in opposite lighting - yes its hard to photograph. The copper farthing is ex Peck

The Verene collection of UK proofs sold by Nobles Auctions last July also included the mule 1839 mule 6d

The Verene sale enables some observations on the current state of the market for UK predecimal proofs: Gold and large silver proof 19thC coins (particularly 5 sovereigns and crowns) are extremely well bid. Most of these in the collection were bought by dealers Bronzed and copper proof coins are not chased by dealers, particularly anything smaller than a penny ultra rare coins like patterns, mules and die orientation varieties are mainly hunted by collectors and the prices are reasonable slabbing is not required if the coin has great eye appeal and knowledgeable purchasers actually appreciate their opportunity to self grade and maybe get a bargain Ephemera such as the original cases for the early sets are not chased by dealers and were comparative bargains in this sale given their much rarer than the coins

Yes the "official" case for the 1887 short set is very rare I have only seen one on-line in 12 years and it wasn't for sale. I am also in the market for one. Here are some pictures, sorry for blur - they were taken from the internet. As already mentioned original long set cases turn up on the open market occasionally say once a year - there are many reproductions around.

You can see here from the official RM pamphlet that the silver set case cost almost as much as the coins and cabinets were all the vogue for storage - so yes they are very rare

The original boxes are leather on timber frame and the maroon leather is very thin and textured to look like shagreen or shark skin. A high quality leather preservative would be fine nothing lumpy that can get into the texture and be hard to polish out. Be carefull of reproduction cases the quality of the arms print is a give away it should be very sharp and three dimensional.

Taking the 1951 VIP crown as an example; the Royal Collection could be expected to have such a coin it is distinguishable by additional polish to the planchet and dies prior to striking to create ultra reflective mirrors which then exaggerate their cameo appearance. See link to pics - This ultra cameo is caused by the contrast of the mirrors to the frosting of the raised parts (effigy) of these coins due to the acid etch of the dies prior to polishing "the table" of the dies. The edge lettering is also said to be distorted due to multiple strikes by the dies to a planchet (to bring up the relief). As the planchet already had the lettering applied one could expect such an effect but I haven't personally been able to definitively measure it: https://www.dropbox.com/s/b2p3vim9my64x09/royal%20collection%20VIP%20Crwn%20Obv%20%20468745-1407143032.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/u0k9epr37rv5cut/royal%20collection%20VIP%20Crwn%20Obv%20%20468745-1407143046.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/rq050exo0c856jk/royal%20collection%20VIP%20Crwn%20Obv%20edge%20468745-1407143018.jpg?dl=0 Museum Victoria in Melbourne Australia also have VIP versions ( sent to the Melbourne Branch Mint) here is a link to their examples obverse https://www.dropbox.com/s/89896ufiubyolap/413640-large.jpg?dl=0 another example sold a few years back by London Coins https://www.dropbox.com/s/wky67uomruofanh/1951%20VIP%20crown%20obv%20CGS%20case.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/lii2rlcxwq7py3f/1951%20VIP%20crown%20obv%202%20CGS%20case.jpg?dl=0 unless the various strikes i.e. proof , specimen, VIP are all in as struck condition and photographed together it is problematic just from their pictures to properly assess their differences

Open case for 1951 premium sethttps://www.dropbox.com/s/ezgc7nkb8qdr9ds/1951%20premium%20case%20front%20open%20right.jpg?dl=0

Here is another 1951 case for the discussion what is the difference between a case and a box anyway? This is an official Royal Mint case will put the open case pic up next sending

Received this email a few days ago (refer below) and wonder if anyone can shed some light on the matter as I am located far away in Australia.. I dont expect London coins will get too many takers charging for something that was free. I do get the impression that encapsulation is starting to gain traction with collectors wishing to sell. The recent Nobles Sale here featured a significant Australian PCGS encapsulated collection by Dr G. Fenton and it sold rather well http://www.noble.com.au/auctions/search/?sale=112&p=1&c=6255 - much better than I expected given the state of the coin market here best in numismatics Vince The population report valuations by grade, general information, and the My Page functions are now available on a subscription basis via the London Coins website. The annual subscription charge is £99 payable to London Coins LTD, after payment is received we will set you up on the new system. Membership will run for one year from the date we set you up. Subscribers will be able to View The Population Report View The Valuations By Grade Current and Past Input their coins in the system (or access their old CGS coin list) to get Valuation Reports, Photo Gallery, Collection lists which shows your collection in the full series, and a league table entry. Subscribers may apply to be London Coins Grading Members, signed up members will be able to submit coins for grading. To become a subscriber contact 01474 874895 to pay by card. Or send your cheque payable to London Coins LTD to London Coins 4-6 Upper Street South, New Ash Green, Kent DA3 8JJ. This annual subscription of £99 equates to £8.25 per month or £1.90 per week and will assist our costs in maintaining the image gallery, valuations by grade and the back end database and IT that supports all this. Cheaper Service Coming Soon for Information Only Users. At the moment we are looking quickly to re-establish the functions that the former CGS My Page users were accustomed to, but we are intending shortly to offer a service for information only users who wish only to see the population reports and valuations by grade, and not to log their coins into the system. We expect this will be £19.99 per annum for population report only and £49 for population report plus valuation by grade. Regards Semra Cetin

Looking through about 60 undecimo edged gothic crowns they were all struck with inverted dies so if yours is medal alignment it would be rare. Looking at your picture the rim is very flat which is characteristic of the plain edge proof versions I would suggest yours is also a plain edge. Now the plain edge does come in both die alignments and in 2 die states see ESC 6th edn by Bull p 371