mrbadexample

I've just bought my first. 1887, Roman I. May I have, please, your opinions on grade? Secondly, how can I determine if this is a proof? It wasn't sold as such, but there's something about it that makes me think it might be. The fields have a mirror-like quality that I can't convey in a photo, and I don't think it's due to cleaning. It's quite dark toned, which again is not really apparent from the photos.

You'd have to ask Colin. I only know the hollow neck - not immediately obvious from photos but instantly recognisable coin in hand. Colin doesn't list any other indicators on his site. http://www.aboutfarthings.co.uk/Farthing%20-%201911.html

Got the hollow neck. Quite please with this punt on ebay, photos weren't great but at £2.16 delivered not much to lose.

No, I wasn't thinking of buying that one, but I would like to know how to spot a fake.

I'm not really sure Pete, might be just his lighting. Texture maybe seems a bit granular?

Can I ask what you think of this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GEORGE-V-1930-WREATH-CROWN-VERY-RARE-/191815572478? I can't put my finger on it, but it just doesn't seem quite right.

I see. I've got the other sort.

Help me out here, what am I looking for on that 1909? I've probably got a few laying about.

Do I get a finder's fee?

Here you go Pete: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1860-Penny-Victoria-mule/121908430374?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107083358%26meid%3D211074461bab45edbb1a2e1dccda5382%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D231820056370

Here's one of his that looks like a cut 'n' shut to me. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VICTORIA-PENNY-1860-UNC-MULE-/231820056370?hash=item35f98d5732:g:TO4AAOSwCypWn4d7

It's a 50p. I'd pay 50p for it.

Lower grade for me too. Because then I would be thinking, "I've only seen one in a higher grade than this, but it had xxxx wrong with it".

Fiver, tops.

This site seems very good: http://www.calgarycoin.com/reference/china/china8.htm#hsien

I'm intrigued, bagerap. What makes you say the "coin" linked to is a lucky amulet? (Oh, I've just noticed that it's enormous - strange that I can zoom in on the "coin", but not the COA.) I only ask because I've been researching a couple of cash pieces of my own. George yours appears, to me, to be a cast brass 50 cash from Hsien Feng reign 1851-1861, Board of Revenue mint.

Yup, all just a bit sharper, isn't it?

I can't do any better than the ebay ones Ian: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-1927-SILVER-PROOF-6-COIN-SET-CROWN-TO-THREEPENCE-IN-HARD-CASE-OF-ISSUE-/201517546371?hash=item2eeb61bb83:g:aH4AAOSwX~dWs3mu

After all that, I'm keeping it. Now, I need another wreath crown. This one's lonely.

One of the things I like about mine is that it has escaped the countermarking that so many similar coins have been subjected to. The one that got away, almost.

Apologies bagerap, my response was a little short, and thanks for taking the time to dig out a similar item. What's the Mountain Groan collection? I've never heard of it. Again, comparing the flowers by the date makes me think mine has a good degree of wear, which is partly why I was dubious of the suggested grade given on the other site. I've only managed to find a couple of other examples, this one, which is more worn than mine: http://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces53250.html (I think the reverse is upside down?) and one on ebay listed as Brazilian and heavily pitted. I can't find that one now though.

Something wrong with seeking a second opinion bagerap? On the other site I was told EF or EF/UNC. Quite simply, I don't believe that, so I thought I'd ask here. The more opinions I get, the closer I get to an answer, and the more I learn. I don't need to be told to respect people's knowledge, thank you - I have done nothing disrespectful on this site or the other. Incidentally, the question I asked was how to go about grading it, not what grade it was. I'd like to know how you attempt to grade a coin when you don't have others to compare to.

My first thought was VF. Mostly because of the flowers *X*L* - the one on the left has a centre clearly visible. I think it's reasonable to assume that the others did too, so there's probably a fair amount of wear, therefore probably well past EF. Got to be better than fine though, methinks. It's not remotely in the area I collect but it has some sentimental value as it was passed to me from a late uncle's estate so I'm hanging on to it. It's quite a handsome piece I think.

This of interest to any of you? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GB-ERROR-2-PENCE-1997-COPPER-UNC-201C-BY-COINMOUNTAIN-/371554890818

Angolan 40 reis, 1757. Larger images here: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BxBRenK8v0n-d291UUdKdU5zRHc&usp=sharing How do I go about grading something when I have no idea what it would have looked like when minted? I have no way of judging the level of wear. All I know is that I can find very few similar examples on t'interweb, and none as good as this one. ø40mm, if that helps? Any assistance gratefully received! Cheers, MBE