Coins you've never seen

[Rob]

The first issue of Cu-Ni is difficult to find in true mint state that hasn't toned down. It took me over 5 years of concerted effort trying to find a 1947S shilling. The current price is a tenner, but I would happily buy untoned examples at that price all day long. Someone must be hoarding them.

[declanwmagee]

The first issue of Cu-Ni is difficult to find in true mint state that hasn't toned down. It took me over 5 years of concerted effort trying to find a 1947S shilling. The current price is a tenner, but I would happily buy untoned examples at that price all day long. Someone must be hoarding them.

I suppose everyone hoarded the last silver (so 45/46 is dead easy), but no-one bothered with the first CuNi. Plus they circulated for so long...

[Peckris]

The first issue of Cu-Ni is difficult to find in true mint state that hasn't toned down. It took me over 5 years of concerted effort trying to find a 1947S shilling. The current price is a tenner, but I would happily buy untoned examples at that price all day long. Someone must be hoarding them.

I suppose everyone hoarded the last silver (so 45/46 is dead easy), but no-one bothered with the first CuNi. Plus they circulated for so long...

Yet strangely, 1948 CuNi in top grades has always been very very easy.

[Nick]

The 1827 shilling and sixpence are two more coins that could be added to the rocking-horse-poo list. The 1827 shilling is rarely seen in a better grade than VF and the 1827 sixpence is rarely seen in any grade.

So it is surprising to see an 1827 shilling on eBay claiming to be gEF. However, to me the 7 of 1827 is looking a bit suspect. I wonder if it's had a transplant. What do you reckon?

[Rob]

The 1827 shilling and sixpence are two more coins that could be added to the rocking-horse-poo list. The 1827 shilling is rarely seen in a better grade than VF and the 1827 sixpence is rarely seen in any grade.

So it is surprising to see an 1827 shilling on eBay claiming to be gEF. However, to me the 7 of 1827 is looking a bit suspect. I wonder if it's had a transplant. What do you reckon?

Don't think so. For what it's worth, the two below were on the website in the past couple of years. The first one looks to have the same slightly smaller 7 which is possibly over a 6. Apologies in advance for the autodefocus on the second one.

Edited October 20, 2011 by Rob

[Peter]

Looks OK from Rob's images however the obverse doesn't look GEF but it maybe it's the angle of the image.

It needs a bit of spit and polish to become a choice Unc

[Red Riley]

Looks OK from Rob's images however the obverse doesn't look GEF but it maybe it's the angle of the image.

It needs a bit of spit and polish to become a choice Unc

You buy it and I'll lend you the Brasso.

Incidentally, do both Rob's higher grade coin and that on E-bay look as if the 7 has been struck over a 6, or is it just me?

Edited October 20, 2011 by Red Riley

[Nick]

The 1827 shilling and sixpence are two more coins that could be added to the rocking-horse-poo list. The 1827 shilling is rarely seen in a better grade than VF and the 1827 sixpence is rarely seen in any grade.

So it is surprising to see an 1827 shilling on eBay claiming to be gEF. However, to me the 7 of 1827 is looking a bit suspect. I wonder if it's had a transplant. What do you reckon?

Don't think so. For what it's worth, the two below were on the website in the past couple of years. The first one looks to have the same slightly smaller 7 which is possibly over a 6. Apologies in advance for the autodefocus on the second one.

Thanks Rob. Your first image definitely looks like a 7/6 and is very similar to the one on eBay, so perhaps the eBay one is OK. I am always a little suspicious when a rare coin turns up with a different looking digit or a previously unrecorded overdate.

[Nick]

Looks OK from Rob's images however the obverse doesn't look GEF but it maybe it's the angle of the image.

It needs a bit of spit and polish to become a choice Unc

You buy it and I'll lend you the Brasso.

Incidentally, do both Rob's higher grade coin and that on E-bay look as if the 7 has been struck over a 6, or is it just me?

I can't see it on Rob's second image, but the other two do especially Rob's first image.

[Rob]

Looks OK from Rob's images however the obverse doesn't look GEF but it maybe it's the angle of the image.

It needs a bit of spit and polish to become a choice Unc

You buy it and I'll lend you the Brasso.

Incidentally, do both Rob's higher grade coin and that on E-bay look as if the 7 has been struck over a 6, or is it just me?

I can't see it on Rob's second image, but the other two do especially Rob's first image.

I looked at that coin from every conceivable angle, but could never convince myself there was an underlying 6 other than from the image and so sold it as a straight 7. I also couldn't see it past gEF because it had obviously been dipped and lightly wiped at some point. The rim was also a bit grotty at 6 o'clock, so it had to go as I only needed a type example which I filled with an 1826 proof.

I think that most dates exist with overcut last digits for most years throughout the 1800s if you look carefully enough. Maybe not the YH Victorian crowns, but certainly for most of the lower denominations.

[pokal02]

I'm a date run collector of just about every denomination, so that means eventually I get to a point where I'm waiting to fill that nagging gap in a series. In just a few odd cases, there are some coins I don't think I've ever seen for sale - anywhere! For instance, I need a 1853 Groat. I know the mintage is low and may not relate to the date on the coin, but has anybody ever seen one? Ditto the 1728 shilling with the roses and plumes reverse. Spink always says that the plain reverse is the rarer (and more expensive) but I've seen loads of plain ones in varying condition, yet never a R&P type. Do they actually exist out there? I wonder and if so why don't they come up at all.

And finally, the 1686 halfpenny. The 1687 is scarce but not too difficult and I managed a 1685 of somewhat dubious date, but never a 1686 - again where are they all?

Many years ago I attempted a date run of 1/4d, 1/2d & 1d's (wasn't fussed about grades then) . I completed the ld's (obviously excluding 1933 & 54), but never got 1686 or 1689 1/2d's, 1685 Charles II farthing or the copper 1860 1/4d/1/2d. Have since moved on to crowns - never seen a 1674 (rumour is that there's only one outside museums). Until 10 years ago I'd have said 1665 was the second hardest (of the milled series), but a few have come out of the woodwork recently (only ever seen 2 specimens above F though). 1697 probably second hardest now. 1678 much harder than book price implies.