coinkat

In an effort to share images of British coins purchased raw, I posted a 1698 Half Crown, a 1758 Shilling, an 1893 Crown and a 1734 Crown in separate posts. A 1902 Crown was added to the 1902 discussion that was already ongoing. These were graded and photographed by PCGS. I hope the participants here take the opportunity to see them. These images sort of illustrate that it is not easy to obtain a 65 grade for a Victorian Crown and especially the Edward VII Crown. The 1734 Crown shows the high relief and how problematic obtaining a well struck example. It is a challenge to examine these at the high points- especially the hair and eye Good luck in your collecting endeavors

http://images.pcgs.com/CoinFacts/20740897_large.jpg

http://images.pcgs.com/CoinFacts/11713213_large.jpg

http://images.pcgs.com/CoinFacts/26218398_large.jpg

Sorry about the technical challenges...

http://images.pcgs.com/CoinFacts/05728398_large.jpg

http://images.pcgs.com/SecurePlus/26218399_large.jpg

Both of these are quite attractive-

In terms of 1/2 Crowns, the 1915 appears to be the most available with an above average strike of the WWI era. The one pictured above is basically as good as it gets in terms of the strike. I rarely see well struck portraits of George V on 1/2 crowns of this time. I looks for these but I have set the bar relatively low

nice crown Garrett

Welcome and thanks for posting the image- It certainly gives us something to examine and think about. From the image, I simply am unable to say with absolute certainty. The coin is obviously worn-likely a high end VG10 by US Standards. If it is a counterfeit, I think the likelihood is that it is a contemporary counterfeit from back in the day- It just does not have the look of a modern fake. Some counterfeit coins can be deceptive in terms of the quality.

The top coin looks terrific- easily 64 by US standards if not 65. For this date and the way TPG looks at these, seeing in hand is really needed. I can see 65- If I understand this correctly, CGS graded this an 80. The Matte Proofs are an equal challenge- I see this one as a 66-looks as if it was just removed from the case. And CGS graded this a 91. Both coins are fantastic- Thanks for sharing pictures

Your criticism of US TPG is justified in terms of overlooking British varieties- In all fairness, some varieties have a way of remaining a well guarded secret. Unless one knows what to look for, it can escape the attention of those that one would anticipate to recognize it. Unfortunately, that seems to be the way it is...

I have not searched for the low 2... is there a premium for that variety? Also, did CGS recognize the B.P. over another B? My experience with this date from across the pond is that one can find nice matte proofs and commercial strikes if one searches and is patient. However, both NGC and PCGS are very strict and rarely seem to grade them as a 65 or 66. 64 in both of types is as good as I have done buying raw and submitting. I suspect your CGS 91 is an amazing coin- congrats

Nice coins... an attractive 1864 is one coin I rarely see... I don't recall seeing such a clear 1862/1 either. Congrats

I doubt there would be much controversy as the 1751 being the rarest or the the 1746 LIMA being the most available- I suspect others may place the 1750 or 1732 higher in terms of rarity than I have- What is even a greater challenge is estimating the quantity minted. Most of what I have read suggests that that George II Crowns were not even seen often back in the day. The mintage figures for these dates could range dramatically. Unfortunately, it seems all we will ever have for these series is estimates for the mintages and surviving population.

Welcome- looking forward to your commentary

I went to look for the forum that I posted my ranking of George II Crowns and could not find it. I am not even sure it still is around. So I will post share my current thoughts: From the rarest to the most common and I will group the young head and old heads together- 1751, 1735, 1734, 1736, 1750, 1732, 1739, 1741, 1743 leading to what I have experienced as the most available in terms of surviving population the 1746 LIMA. I suspect some may argue that I have placed the 1732 too far back and that may be right. However, that was the first year of the series and it seems more than we think managed to survive.

I have not attempted to rank the Wreath proofs by date in terms of scarcity- I did offer a ranking for the George II Crowns by year on another forum about 4-5 years ago- excluding the 1732 and 1746 proofs.

Thanks- I have had modest luck with 1d varieties. I have yet to find a 1903 open 3

One common issue with the George V half crowns is the overall flatness of the obverse- especially the earlier dates 1911-1919

Thanks for posting- great information

The Modern Elizabeth half crowns can be challenge to grade. GEMS are not as easy to find as one might think.

The proof Wreath Crowns are interesting- I often wonder how rare they are. And I suspect that will be debated for years. I suppose someone at the Royal Mint could have kept records... just a question of whether they still exist or could be located.

What an unusual variety- I like it