1930 Proof Farthing Value?

[meeshu]

I'm considering selling a 1930 proof farthing, which was purchased from a dealer about 20 years ago for approximately 295 pounds.

According to Peck this coin is extremely rare (ER). And Freeman suggests only 6~15 examples exist(ed).

Can anyone provide an idea of this coins value please?

Photos attached below for reference.

[Coppers]

Neil Paisley has one for sale on the Colin Cooke site at £345.00

George V Farthings

[Peckris]

Is it just me, or do others have difficulty telling these as proofs? Colin Cooke's VIP proofs usually look like proofs, but these 2 farthings don't seem to have the expected characteristics, or maybe it's just the scans?

[Dg43]

Is it just me, or do others have difficulty telling these as proofs? Colin Cooke's VIP proofs usually look like proofs, but these 2 farthings don't seem to have the expected characteristics, or maybe it's just the scans?

I am in complete agreement with you Peckris. There is little to distinguish between them and the currency issue in Unc I paid £5 for last year. Strike a little better perhaps. CCC have had that coin on offer for several months now.

[Rob]

It isn't a problem with them in the hand. I've got most of the KGV proof halfpennies and they are obviously not regular currency pieces.

[Dg43]

It isn't a problem with them in the hand. I've got most of the KGV proof halfpennies and they are obviously not regular currency pieces.

Obviously not very photogenic. A shame that Meeshu's 'investment' seems to be a disaster.

[Peckris]

It isn't a problem with them in the hand. I've got most of the KGV proof halfpennies and they are obviously not regular currency pieces.

Obviously not very photogenic. A shame that Meeshu's 'investment' seems to be a disaster.

I think that is almost inevitable with coins like this. It's almost a case of "if they are too rare, the market won't gain buoyancy, and limited supply suppresses demand (instead of the other way around)".

In the hierarchy of popularity, I would rate :

1. extremely rare dates e.g. the 1933 penny or proof-only issues

2. rare recognisable varieties e.g. 1926 ME pennies

3. rare less easy-to-see varieties e.g. "L C Wyon on rock, below shield, or missing" on bun pennies

4. extremely rare proofs of regular issue coins

One hopeful note is that Wreath Crowns (sluggish for years) finally came good, and the same could be true of rare proofs too. Mind you, I once had a 1935 'raised edge' proof for some years, and then auctioned it, realising just a tiny bit more than what I paid for it. Sometimes, coins like these have to be enjoyed for their rarity, not their investment potential, which may be poor.

[Rob]

I think it is more a case of people being wary of spending a relatively large sum of money without being sure they are going to receive a proof. eBay frequently has "proofs" listed and there have been posts on this forum too where someone thinks they have a proof simply because it is in better condition than anything they are used to. The proofs for the years where sets were produced ensure a regular supply of cheap material, so unsure punters don't worry too much about a few quid, but a few hundred is a different matter. VIP proofs are not difficult to obtain as an example unless you are looking for a specific year, in which case there can be some really difficult ones.

[meeshu]

Thanks for the comments.

This coin was purchased from a (supposedly) reputable dealer (FS) who was in business for many years, but the dealer has since stopped trading (I think). I've bought quite a few coins from this dealer.

Admittedly I do have slight doubt about the authenticity of the coin (I was expecting a better finish), but then again I'm not an expert.

My photos are perhaps not the best. I'll try to upload better quality photos ASAP.

[Peckris]

I think it is more a case of people being wary of spending a relatively large sum of money without being sure they are going to receive a proof. eBay frequently has "proofs" listed and there have been posts on this forum too where someone thinks they have a proof simply because it is in better condition than anything they are used to. The proofs for the years where sets were produced ensure a regular supply of cheap material, so unsure punters don't worry too much about a few quid, but a few hundred is a different matter. VIP proofs are not difficult to obtain as an example unless you are looking for a specific year, in which case there can be some really difficult ones.

This is where the Americans are way ahead of us Brits. They have a smoother gradation between BU, BU "prooflike" (i.e. early strikes), and actual proofs. As witness the high prices for prooflike Morgan dollars from the late 19th Century.

We should do this in the UK too - e.g. £X for Unc, £3X for BU, £10X for really prooflike early strike, and maybe no more than £25X for a genuine proof (just off the top of my head - you get the general idea). The exceptions to this would be silver coins of 1816-17, and 1887, where prooflike examples are actually quite common.

[meeshu]

I'm still having some difficulty in getting good photographs of the 1930 proof coin (due to limitations of the camera, lights, and to a degree my, lack of, skill).

I've had a good close look at the coin. Both the obverse and reverse show clear mirror like reflections of nearby objects. This immediately suggests the coin is indeed a proof. I tried to photograph a pencil placed by the coin and it's reflection shown on the coin, but camera lens depth of field limitation (f8) didn't allow clear photographs of the coin, pencil and it's reflection.

Thanks to Coppers link, I have an idea of valuation (something in excess of 300 pounds it would seem).

The coin was purchased through Farthing Specialist about 20 years ago. FS, as far as I know, were quite reputable. So if FS says the coin was a proof (as it seems to be), then the 1930 coin is a proof.

[scott]

thats what we lose with photos, we lose the details we need, cant beat in hand.

[josie]

Neil Paisley has one for sale on the Colin Cooke site at £345.00

George V Farthings

Nice link the detail of the hair just below the helmet joint and the hair at the back of the neck is detailed I think.

[VickySilver]

Well, I for one also love these somewhat unloved "VIP" proofs, and have noted that there are also as has been said prooflike specimens extant. Sometimes this can be confusing even to more expert eyes. This is also confused by the fact that there are coins that are definately coins that appear to have been prepared specially and yet not proof although I have seen a bit more of this from the George VI era (1943-1951).

From the photos, the obverse appears to have suffered from friction, possibly from cabinet contacts or cleaning. Better quality pictures might be more helpful.

As a postscript, there was an interesting discussion of ordinary currency vs. prooflike/specimen vs. proof in the Bowers and Merena Norweb Sale of Canadian from about 1997-1999 era. No definitive answers in there but some interesting points brought up.