1905 Half Crown

[ozjohn]

A 1905 half crown advertised on Ebay at GBP3400 and graded at EF condition. It's hard to see if the I in QUI is broken as the picture is indistinct there. However the orb on top of the pearls in the crown over the shield seems off center which I think is unusual.

Any comments.

[Paddy]

I am not sure. I have just been looking at all my Ed VII halfcrowns, and all bar 1910 have the orb very slightly offset to the right.

I am more concerned by the irregularity of the "SOI QUI", but that could be PMD or poor focus.

[Peckris 2]

4 hours ago, Paddy said:

I am not sure. I have just been looking at all my Ed VII halfcrowns, and all bar 1910 have the orb very slightly offset to the right.

I am more concerned by the irregularity of the "SOI QUI", but that could be PMD or poor focus.

You will see from my 1903 and 1905 that there is no offset, not even slightly.

[Paddy]

Interesting. Here is my 1906, which I have no reason to doubt, and there seems to be a slight offset:

[Nick]

Nothing that looks obviously suspicious.  Although the positioning of the orb is unusual and is certainly further to the right than the example I used to own.

[Peckris 2]

5 hours ago, Paddy said:

Interesting. Here is my 1906, which I have no reason to doubt, and there seems to be a slight offset:

I think that's an optical illusion, caused by the fact the upright of the orb appears to be bending to the right (wear?) - without that the orb is dead centre.

[ozjohn]

12 hours ago, Peckris 2 said:

I think that's an optical illusion, caused by the fact the upright of the orb appears to be bending to the right (wear?) - without that the orb is dead centre.

The price is on the low side as well. Tony Clayton's valuations gives GBP 5000 for a 1905 half crown in EF condition. I think I would ask for a better photo if I was considering bidding for this coin. Again a TPG by PCGS or NGC would add more credibility and price.