1888 shillings

[Geoff T]

A number of 1888 shillings I've seen have the second 8 over 7. I'm told that Colin Cooke held that this was a feature of all 1888 shillings and not merely a variety. Is there any truth in this? One for Rob, I think.

Geoff

[Chris Perkins]

All the ones I've seen have been 8/7 and I've always been led to believe that was the case for all of them.

[Geoff T]

Thanks Chris.

Geoff

[Rob]

There are some with a straight 8 but they are significantly scarcer. To be absolutely certain it is not over 7 you need a mint state one to eliminate wear.

[Rob]

Usually, all you can see is the top right corner at the angle of the 7

[Guest Guest_Simon_I'm_a_Guest]

A number of 1888 shillings I've seen have the second 8 over 7. I'm told that Colin Cooke held that this was a feature of all 1888 shillings and not merely a variety. Is there any truth in this? One for Rob, I think.

Geoff

Hi all,

I have both types of 1888, both in very high grade, the plain date 1888 does not show any signs of the top right hand "7"

[RobJ]

I am sorry to revive an old Thread, however I have a question on this subject and thought it better to use this Thread rather than create a new one.

I was at a Dealers earlier today, and he showed me a 'Straight' 1888 Shilling which he had obtained for one of his Customers who collects Victorian Shillings. It was in a high Grade, EF, but he was asking quite a large premium over the 'Normal' 1888 8/7 Shilling.

Almost double the asking price of the 8/7 which he had for sale also in EF.

I had no idea that they existed until he showed me it. So I was wondering just how scarce these coins were? Also what type of premium should be added to the price due to this?

[Rob]

I am sorry to revive an old Thread, however I have a question on this subject and thought it better to use this Thread rather than create a new one.

I was at a Dealers earlier today, and he showed me a 'Straight' 1888 Shilling which he had obtained for one of his Customers who collects Victorian Shillings. It was in a high Grade, EF, but he was asking quite a large premium over the 'Normal' 1888 8/7 Shilling.

Almost double the asking price of the 8/7 which he had for sale also in EF.

I had no idea that they existed until he showed me it. So I was wondering just how scarce these coins were? Also what type of premium should be added to the price due to this?

Certainly worth a premium because they are quite scarce not over 7, but what would really determine the price is the coin in hand. All EFs are not the same. The 1887 issue was so large that presumably there were many serviceable dies come the end of the year and a decision was made to use these first. As a ballpark figure, I'd hazard a guess that maybe 5% or so are straight 8s, but haven't tested that number. I've noted probably a dozen on ebay in the past 5 years, but that is without looking or even checking the Victorian section regularly. They are scarce and easily missed, but that may be due to a lack of knowledge.

[RobJ]

Thanks for the insight and information Rob.

Both of the coins that I saw, the 1888 and 1888 8/7 were very attractive and appealing (To my eye at least.) Certainly EF with nice lustre. Although I do understand what you are saying about not all EF coins being 'Equal.'

Just out of interest the Dealer was asking for £25 for the 1888 8/7 and £45 for the 'Straight' 1888.

I had no idea of their existence let alone scarcity. lol It is yet another piece of information to add to my already over capacity brain. lol

[Rob]

Thanks for the insight and information Rob.

Both of the coins that I saw, the 1888 and 1888 8/7 were very attractive and appealing (To my eye at least.) Certainly EF with nice lustre. Although I do understand what you are saying about not all EF coins being 'Equal.'

Just out of interest the Dealer was asking for £25 for the 1888 8/7 and £45 for the 'Straight' 1888.

I had no idea of their existence let alone scarcity. lol It is yet another piece of information to add to my already over capacity brain. lol

If the coin is an attractive EF, £45 doesn't sound out of the way.

[RobJ]

If the coin is an attractive EF, £45 doesn't sound out of the way.

It sounds from what you have said that the price was most reasonable.

Although I would imagine that such a coin would only hold and demand its premium in higher Grades. I would think that with lower Grade coins, as already pointed out earlier in the Thread, that it would be hard to show it was a definite 'Straight' 1888.