Halfpenny 1853 or 1853/2 ?

[Voynov_BG]

Hi, friends,

What do you think - regular halfpenny 1853 with double die, or halfpenny 1853/2?

Thanks.

[Rob]

1853

[Voynov_BG]

Thanks for the fast responce!

What do you think about grade in UK-standard and approx. value if I want to sell on british ebay with BIN price. The coin has some very minor rim nicks visible on pictures, and some spots on reverse:

[Rob]

It's nearly EF, but not quite. It is also a common date, so for value it is probably £30 or 35 at the most. You might make more starting it at 99p because it isn't a bad coin and people see what they want to see. But if you tell them it isn't quite EF they will probably make a mental note to go to the VF price because everyone wants a bargain. Hard choices to be made here.

[Voynov_BG]

Thanks, listed for 25 BIN, I think start at 99p is not good option for seller with label "From Bulgaria", thanks for the help.

[Rob]

I think I probably would have put £35 and make an offer. £25 seems a bit cheap.

[Peckris]

It's nearly EF, but not quite. It is also a common date, so for value it is probably £30 or 35 at the most. You might make more starting it at 99p because it isn't a bad coin and people see what they want to see. But if you tell them it isn't quite EF they will probably make a mental note to go to the VF price because everyone wants a bargain. Hard choices to be made here.

To my eyes it's EF, though slightly stained in places.

[VickySilver]

I would go EF as well and think there is a fair amount of luster esp. on reverse...I would buy a coin in this state as VF all day long...

[Rob]

I would go EF as well and think there is a fair amount of luster esp. on reverse...I would buy a coin in this state as VF all day long...

I didn't give it a full EF because the helmet is a bit flat and the right breast seems a bit flatter than usual. A couple of spots have no bearing on the grade, but are less than desirable. I too would buy a coin like this as VF all day long.

Not sure about the lustre. It has a couple of fingerprints though, so might have as they show up on lustre better than on toned copper, but best of all on a polished coin. (Which this isn't I hasten to add).

Edited May 24, 2011 by Rob

[VickySilver]

Interesting sidelight in that there is a somewhat controversial bit as to how much of a grade is technical (ie if a coin is not fully struck up how much is it downgraded even though the effect is not due to wear?).

[Peckris]

Interesting sidelight in that there is a somewhat controversial bit as to how much of a grade is technical (ie if a coin is not fully struck up how much is it downgraded even though the effect is not due to wear?).

That reverse is a case in point - Rob's objections to the helmet and right breast are spot on (a little flat), but looking at the rest of that reverse, I'd say it was from not being quite as well struck up in those places.

In Derek's grading book, he points out EF coins where the die has begun to wear in certain places. I think that's the point : where 'wear' is extremely localised it's usually due to die wear. I'd be inclined (as a seller) to describe such coins as 'EF weak strike' or 'EF average strike' or 'EF helmet not fully struck up' or something similar, and reduce the price a little. George V larger coins 1913 - 1921 are a minefield for weak strikes.

[Voynov_BG]

Thanks for the help, I have changed price to 21.50 without offer option.

What do you think about grade for the next 5 farthings - all mostly VF/VF+ in UK standard or some EF maybe? Approx. value for all 5 coins in lot in your opinion?

[Rob]

Thanks for the help, I have changed price to 21.50 without offer option.

I wouldn't have done that as it is too cheap. In fact I would have increased it rather than reduce it. For anyone who needs one of these it is a bargain at that price. I'm not interested as I have a few of them.

[Rob]

What do you think about grade for the next 5 farthings - all mostly VF/VF+ in UK standard or some EF maybe? Approx. value for all 5 coins in lot in your opinion?

All bar the 1903 are around the EF level, but the 1903 is better. The images aren't high res enough to clearly see the wear, but the first point to go is the fingers on 20th century bronze. There is obvious wear on 4 of the 5, but not on the 1903. Prices - Colin is the best man for this as I'm not an ardent follower of farthings. Spink list Ed.VII farthings at about £12 each in EF, but that seems a bit optimistic and I certainly wouldn't entertain paying that much.

[Voynov_BG]

Yes, I think CV is not real because 10 days still no offer for this lot, and for this reason I ask for grade and actual value.

[Red Riley]

Thanks for the fast responce!

What do you think about grade in UK-standard and approx. value if I want to sell on british ebay with BIN price. The coin has some very minor rim nicks visible on pictures, and some spots on reverse:

When I looked at it, I was undecided as to the reverse, as Rob has said, the breast (which often doesn't get fully struck up) and the vestiges of hair under the helmet all make me wonder whether it should be NEF rather than EF. But for me, the obverse is straight EF.

[Rob]

When I looked at it, I was undecided as to the reverse, as Rob has said, the breast (which often doesn't get fully struck up) and the vestiges of hair under the helmet all make me wonder whether it should be NEF rather than EF. But for me, the obverse is straight EF.

I agree 100%. If I buy a coin it is on the basis of the worst side, so my grading glass is always half empty.

[Peckris]

Thanks for the help, I have changed price to 21.50 without offer option.

What do you think about grade for the next 5 farthings - all mostly VF/VF+ in UK standard or some EF maybe? Approx. value for all 5 coins in lot in your opinion?

What do you think about grade for the next 5 farthings - all mostly VF/VF+ in UK standard or some EF maybe? Approx. value for all 5 coins in lot in your opinion?

All bar the 1903 are around the EF level, but the 1903 is better. The images aren't high res enough to clearly see the wear, but the first point to go is the fingers on 20th century bronze. There is obvious wear on 4 of the 5, but not on the 1903. Prices - Colin is the best man for this as I'm not an ardent follower of farthings. Spink list Ed.VII farthings at about £12 each in EF, but that seems a bit optimistic and I certainly wouldn't entertain paying that much.

I'd go along with Rob. The 'Mint toning' is virtually complete on all the farthings, and fully there on the 1903. I'd rate the 1903 a minimum £25 coin, the others less so, though the 1910 is (supposedly) scarce and perhaps rates £15. The others would struggle to rate £10 tbh. That's just a personal opinion.

[Voynov_BG]

Thanks for the help, listed for sale in the forum for £29 incuding registered postage. Good offer.

[Colin G.]

Thanks for the help, listed for sale in the forum for £29 incuding registered postage. Good offer.

Must have missed this one, I would agree with the grades people have given, the artifical darkening on these is virtually never complete, the 1903 is quite a nice coin. Spinks is a bit ambitious with those prices, but the offer you have said seems fair