mrbadexample

It's better than a proof. It's the previously-undescribed-staggeringly-rare broken tail variety.

Hmmm, that certainly rings a few alarm bells. I have to accept anyway that the likelihood is small. I just want it to be true.

Thanks. I would agree that proof should be sought. I know what you mean about the year too - a lot of the silver seems in particularly good shape. I always put that down to people putting the coins aside as it was the golden jubilee year. What if I were to have it slabbed? If I sent it to CGS as a proof, would they tell me if it wasn't? By the same token, if I sent it as a normal strike, would they tell me if it was a proof? The more I look at it, the more I'm convinced.

Further pictures: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BxBRenK8v0n-T0dhdTdzNWFoZ2c&usp=sharing The first four (sorry, I didn't turn the obverse on its side, and I don't know how to rotate it in Google Drive) were taken outside, and the camera decided it needed the flash. The last two were taken inside by the window with the flash turned off. I'm hopeless at photography but pleased with the above two.

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.