1960 proof crown

[Gary D]

Does it exist? as I think I've got one. I know there is the polished die version but this one is similar in appearance to the 1953 proof.

Gary

[Chris Perkins]

Then it's probably a polished die one (i.e. the dies were polished before striking, but the blanks were not).

[Gary D]

I thought I knew what a polished die version looked like but I could be wrong. This is more like the finish on the 1951 proof like.

[Rob]

I thought I knew what a polished die version looked like but I could be wrong. This is more like the finish on the 1951 proof like.

In which case it probably isn't a proof. ESC393M has a rarity of R4 (est. 11-20 examples) and specifically says frosted design and highly polished fields. The frosted design will be the key as without proof-like and proof of the same design side by side it is likely to be difficult to tell unless you know what to look for and there was a similar thread a few months ago on this general topic involving a George VI proof (?).

[Chris Perkins]

I thought I knew what a polished die version looked like but I could be wrong. This is more like the finish on the 1951 proof like.

Some of the 1960 polished die crowns are better than others. If yours is very nice then it may have actually been sold in America and not bashed about to buggery on the boat on the way back to Blighty.

The chances of it really being a proof are very remote.

[Gary D]

I thought I knew what a polished die version looked like but I could be wrong. This is more like the finish on the 1951 proof like.

In which case it probably isn't a proof. ESC393M has a rarity of R4 (est. 11-20 examples) and specifically says frosted design and highly polished fields. The frosted design will be the key as without proof-like and proof of the same design side by side it is likely to be difficult to tell unless you know what to look for and there was a similar thread a few months ago on this general topic involving a George VI proof (?).

Ok I'm home now and can compare it with my other crowns. If you are talking about a VIP its not, well nothing like the 1937 VIP I had for a brief time. I likened it to the 1951 because the head is brighter than the 1953 proof which is mildly frosted but apart from that it looks a proof with mirrored fields. I have what I thought was a polished die, at least thats what I paid for. But not having something to compare it with I could easily be wrong. Its very clean but not mirrored on the fields. I will try and get a scan to post later tonite if I can get it to look realisist in the lights.

Gary

[Gary D]

Here it is, looks as though I need to get a better 53 proof as well

[Gary D]

And again,

[Gary D]

Last one,

[Chris Perkins]

That's a nice one isn't it...Gotta be a damned good polished die type.

[Gary D]

If it is a polished die I can live with that. It only cost $17 from the States Of course it does mean that 99.9% of the ones that purport to be polished dies on ebay are not.

[Chris Perkins]

Every single one on ebay is usually a polished die....just like most 1951's are frosted proofs and 1935's are always raised edge type because people think that it means the writing around the edge of the obv! Bafoons, the lot of 'em.

[Rob]

If it is a polished die I can live with that. It only cost $17 from the States Of course it does mean that 99.9% of the ones that purport to be polished dies on ebay are not.

I always assume they are not unless I know the seller. It's like most of the proofs you get. I was once informed that a coin was definitely a proof "coz it's really shinny" (their spelling not mine). Most coin descriptions on ebay tend towards the most expensive variety and grade. Clearly a case of if you don't have a clue, play it up.

[Guest Guest]

So, is it conclusive then that it is a polished die all be it possibly a very good one. I understand that a polished die would give a superior finish but surely to get a comparable finish to a proof which it is side by side with the 1953 proof you would need a polished blank aswell. Just as an aside how was the 1951 proof-like minted.

Gary

PS It put my 1961 polished die 2/6 in doubt