Calling all proof collectors!

[Guest Colin G.]

I have had this 1895 farthing for a while now, which came to me in a mixed bag of farthings and it has baffled me ever since. It appears mirrored like a proof, with the relief in cameo (giving the impression of a polished die) under a lens vertical die polishing marks can be seen in the fields and it gives off a diesel blue effect on the obverse when light hits the surace. I have never been able to get a decent image to ask anothers opinion, but finally I have managed to capture some of the "mirror effect".

Not being a proof collector, I have no idea whether it is just an early strike or whether it is from a polished or proof die. The mirrored appearance is even present in the loops of the 8 in the date!!

I have provided some pictures which still do not do the coin justice, although the coin does have wear on the high points, from its time in the bag!!!

http://www.aboutfarthings.com/ebayimages/resized/18951.jpg

http://www.aboutfarthings.com/ebayimages/resized/18952.jpg

http://www.aboutfarthings.com/ebayimages/resized/18953.jpg

http://www.aboutfarthings.com/ebayimages/resized/18954.jpg

Thanks

Colin G.

[Chris Perkins]

I've had one of those too, in fact I sold it to the forum member Master JMD.

I've seen other dealers listing them too, so it appears that there are a few very very prooflike 1995 farthings out there. It will attract a premium over normal farthings of that date, as it's probably a very early strike. I don't think you could call it a proof though.

[Rob]

The fields have clearly been polished but the rims are not to proof standard which is usually wider, flat and has a sharp right angle with the edge. The legend doesn't look crisp enough either. The lettering on proofs is quite angular with flat surfaces and straight edges are sharp where the relief changes height, whereas on currency pieces these sharp angles soon get rounded and you tend to get surface imperfections. Both are features you should look for. The Ls in the picture below demonstates this. Still a nice coin though.

[Colin G.]

Chris/Rob,

Thanks for the information, very helpful!!!

I must admit that I thought the strike quality was not "proof" standard, but not having many proofs in my collection (mainly due to budget!!!) it is difficult to distinguish.

I have never seen one of these previously, and it is interesting that you have seen similar coins for this date. Makes you wonder whether similar finishes occur for other dates in the veiled head series, or other denominations that year, or whether it was just an eager apprentice who spent too much time polishing the farthing dies in 1895!!!

Thanks Again

Colin G.

[Rob]

Chris/Rob,

I have never seen one of these previously, and it is interesting that you have seen similar coins for this date. Makes you wonder whether similar finishes occur for other dates in the veiled head series, or other denominations that year, or whether it was just an eager apprentice who spent too much time polishing the farthing dies in 1895!!!

Colin G.

There are a number of 1901 1/2ds in this condition.

[Chris Perkins]

That's true, I've seen the 1901 Halfpennies too.

[ken46]

If you look in Spink's Coins of England you will see a very intresting turn of events. Thru the 1870's

there are any number of die errors, small differences of dies, etc. By the time the Old Head coins

are out there are virtually no differences to be found. This includes the M, S and P Imperial mints.

There was the evoulution of die makers hand engraving with many variations to mechanical devices that

had virtually no variations. By this time the mints were doing most tasks in a much more modern

fashion, engraving, polishing, stamping, etc.

The overall quality of money showed improvement. The lettering, the polishing of the dies, and not to

mention other equipment and techniques. As example, the Imperial dies were made by the Royal

mint and shipped to Austrailia for use. There are quite a few proof like coins from the M and S mints.

This certainly shows an overall improvement in quality at all the mints.

I guess as a coin collector I find it sad that a lot of the fun was eliminated from collecting 20th Century

coins by all these improvements.

Happy Thanksgiving

[Geoff T]

Given that Old Head farthings were first issued in 1895, there's an interesting parallel with the first issue of Jubilee Head silver coins in 1887. Some of the early strikings have a very proof-like appearance, especially in the mirrored fields, together with notably sharp detail. They're not, however, proofs, as becomes apparent when you put one side by side with the genunie proofs from that year.

Geoff