Strange 1887 Shilling

[markn]

I'm a new poster here so be gentle with me I picked up this 1887 shilling at a show on the weekend because it reminded me strongly of a 1902 matte proof set I'd seen recently. The coin is virtually a matte grey/white colour with absolutely no lustre at all and minimal bagging. I've examined it closely under a loupe and with a Dinolite looking for lacquer residue or some other explanation as to why this coin looks the way it does. Anyone here have any ideas?

Here's some detailed images I took with a digital microscope (large images).

Detail Image 1

Detail Image 2

Detail Image 3

[£400 for a Penny ?]

Silver's not my thing, so I'll let someone else jump in on that, I'll just say hello.

I'm most impressed with the detail you have been able to show, would you mind me asking what model of microscope you used and how much it cost ?

[markn]

Hi There,

Thanks for the reply. It's a Dinolite AM411T microscope, I bought it down here in Australia (where I am). It was a few hundred dollars but I think you can get them quite a bit cheaper online.

Mark

[Hello17]

wow eiher you scanners broken or that is in very very good condition

its sharp as well

[£400 for a Penny ?]

Oh dear.

I think I might have to have one of those....

[markn]

wow eiher you scanners broken or that is in very very good condition

its sharp as well

No, the camera and lens are not broken, it is in very very good condition It's just a matte white/grey colour that doesn't look like a circulation or proof coin of that year!

[Beebman]

Oh dear.

I think I might have to have one of those....

I've found a lower-spec version for 80 quid plus VAT:

http://www.absolute-data-services.co.uk/dinolite_am211.htm

I'm wondering if this might be good enough simply for scanning my collection for insurance record purposes. (and to post pictures here to ask for info! )

[£400 for a Penny ?]

Yes, I saw that one.

Looks like a pretty neat bit of kit and those pictures Mark has put up are easily the best we've ever seen on here.

IMO.

[azda]

You know, they are selling these, or something similar in my local aldi for 35 euros, connects to the pc. Might go there shortly and take a quick look. Whats the spec?

[azda]

Oh dear.

I think I might have to have one of those....

I've found a lower-spec version for 80 quid plus VAT:

http://www.absolute-data-services.co.uk/dinolite_am211.htm

I'm wondering if this might be good enough simply for scanning my collection for insurance record purposes. (and to post pictures here to ask for info! )

Its actually 80 quid Exc VAT, so add whatever the VAT is at these days.

[1887jubilee]

I picked up on this thread because of my 1887 interest. The coin could be from one of the specimen sets that are curency issue in presentation cases. Always of very high quality and early strikes but from the currency issue dies. so far as the photography goes I am getting exceptional quality by just using a rubber band to hold a £2.50 jeweller's eyeglass on the front of my digital camera!

[Peckris]

I picked up on this thread because of my 1887 interest. The coin could be from one of the specimen sets that are curency issue in presentation cases. Always of very high quality and early strikes but from the currency issue dies. so far as the photography goes I am getting exceptional quality by just using a rubber band to hold a £2.50 jeweller's eyeglass on the front of my digital camera!

If you've an interest in 1887 JH, then go into the "Varieties" sub-forum of this one, and have a look at my topic on a (so far unique, unrecorded) 1887 wreath reverse sixpence variety. Let me know what you think?

http://www.predecimal.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=4473

Edited August 16, 2010 by Peckris