Help with a grading a 1787 sixpence please

[proofreader]

I normally try to stick to slabbed coins as I am still developing my grading skills, but I've recently purchased a 1787 sixpence and I'd appreciate your advice on the grade and value please.

Here are the sellers photographs:

It was sold as 'Uncirculated' but I dont think it grades that high.

All comments and advice greatly appreciated.

[Rob]

Difficult to say what the grade is because the top one is out of focus and the bottom has too much glare.

Not the most attrtactive toning, but this has virtually no wear. http://www.rpcoins.co.uk/c8%20pics/00330.jpg

[proofreader]

Thanks, I'll try and take some better pictures myself tomorrow and post them up, to see if that helps.

Looking at the space above George's head it seems like it might be a shilling rather than a sixpence. What is the best way to tell them apart, by weight or size?

[Paulus]

As Rob says, the photos aren't that great, but my grade based on those pics would be no better than GVF.

The 1787 shillings and sixpences, with and without hearts, are very common in high grades, and 'relatively' inexpensive.

Please feel free to run potential purchases past the forum members before you buy, I know sometimes you may feel there isn't time to do that, but you may be surprised how quickly we respond!

[sound]

Very fine IMO. Robs coin is a good example of "practically as struck".

Might be a good idea to download a copy of that and use it as a benchmark. I have done that with quiet a few coins and you will be surprised how often it comes in handy.

Mark

[azda]

Here is mine, EF. Check the difference in the shoulder armour on yours compared to mine, yours has more wear. I'd also say GVF, definately not UNC nor EF

Edited January 19, 2015 by azda

[Rob]

This is a reasonable example of a shilling with minimal wear.

As you can see, the finer detail is better on the larger coin, so lions' faces etc are often less well struck on the smaller denominations.

Edited January 20, 2015 by Rob

[Rob]

And for good measure, an EF or slightly better example to demonstrate where the wear hits first.

[proofreader]

Thanks for the replies. I've just measured the coin at 24mm diameter so according to my research that makes it a shilling rather than a sixpence.

[copper123]

GVF obv Ef Rev or around that - eye appeal is also important

[Michael-Roo]

GVF generally.

Edited January 20, 2015 by Michael-Roo

[proofreader]

Here are some slightly better pictures taken today.

[proofreader]

..........and one more

I think I need to try and look at my depth of field.

[Peckris]

DOF notwithstanding, I'd go along with the GVF consensus. There's a lot of them around in that kind of grade (+/-) as they weren't issued for circulation. Nevertheless it's a nice coin and well worth having.

[Rob]

Has it been mounted in a ring or some other holder? The rim looks to be too smooth and even for what I would expect. It may have been turned down to fit. Does the diagonal graining still remain on the edge?

Uncirculated is clearly nonsense, with glasses and appropriate educational material badly required by someone. It's somewhere near the gVF mark, with the obverse maybe slightly below that. Scratches(?) on the laurel don't help.

[CartwheelTwopence]

I would agree with the gVF. The reverse looks very nice. Good find, but I hope you didn't pay near the UNC price!