1845 Crown

[bob.phillips]

I am trying to understand why it appears to be so much more difficult to find an 1845 crown with 'star stops' than an 1845 crown with 'cinq stops'. I assume, obviously, that this is because the 'star stops' type is much rarer, but in the various coin books that I have the values of each type is exactly the same. Any views on this would be appreciated.

[Rob]

That's because general consensus is that they probably don't exist. I've never seen one and have never heard of a legitimate one. I bought one at auction which was returned, not as described.

Significantly, Lingford didn't have one.

Edited November 11, 2016 by Rob

[bob.phillips]

Thanks for your prompt response Rob. So if the general consensus is that they probably don't exist then why are they listed in the various books. If it's because they just 'might'  exist then surely they would have a higher value. Interesting that you bought one and returned it, 'not as described', was this because it didn't have star stops or was it a fake?

[Rob]

1 minute ago, bob.phillips said:

Thanks for your prompt response Rob. So if the general consensus is that they probably don't exist then why are they listed in the various books. If it's because they just 'might'  exist then surely they would have a higher value. Interesting that you bought one and returned it, 'not as described', was this because it didn't have star stops or was it a fake?

I'm not sure why they continue to list them.

I returned it because they were cinquefoil stops. A couple others I have seen advertised as stars were also cinquefoils in hand. Cinquefoils were introduced in 1844, so any stars would have to be old collars used at a later date. I think it is possible that wear or fill has resulted in the misattribution.

Hocking doesn't list any collars, so that is unhelpful, but given it would require the collar to be used in conjuction with an 1845 obverse, the regnal date on the edge being VIII in both instances, the best and probably only way of resolving this may be a ruling from the Royal Mint - if the information exists.

[bob.phillips]

Thanks for your views.

[pokal02]

Catalogues are often very slow to catch up with reality - 1728 and 1731 crowns, neither of which exist, were listed in Coin Year Book (and possibly elsewhere) until at least the 70's.  They were given values only about 20% more than the other George II YH crowns.