E Dawson

Hey, I didn't know anybody else loved these bits. I like the E7 shillings but have the 6ds and was able to get VERY nice ones of all the dates 1902-1952 some 8-10 years ago. I think they are still around in reasonable quantity and quality so with persistence a nice set can be built. I do not have Gouby so would you be able to post up pictures of the relevant pages and blame me for it so no coypwright (sp?) issues? I know this is not the sales part of this and so am not selling anything but would add the following PS - Hussolo PM in the next week or so as I may have a GEF (AU) 1905 shilling possibly up for trade.

Sergy, nobody has any record of an 1897 proof crown. I have seen many coins in the English silver series from the mid- to late 1880s through the 1890s to have mirror-like appearance and can occasionally be quite handsome. Unfortunately, many have bagmarks to boot and this detracts from their appearance.

Hi, early strikes will be prooflike as the dies are prep-polished. The flans should have a knife edge and be regular and sharp as well as squared off in profile and occ. may see multiple stikings when seen under magnification. If you have a doubt, definately should take it to an expert. Do post a picture if you can.

Hmm, these guys I suggest politely ignoring and letting them "ride". There are just too many people with issues looking for folks to act out on. He will disappear and fine other people to irritate..

Yes, I have one from Spink some years ago at auction and it does have a better struck and satiny appearance when compared to the regular. Unfortunately, it will be some while before I have photographic technical capacity as there is this coin and several others I have wanted to show.

Nice job on with the research. I think these are nothing but toys and would not be interested even WITH confirmation from the mint of their "pattern" status.

Very good stories. I have heard such smaller bits termed "tiddlers", but not for some time...

Yes, quite sure Neil sold the farthing, but it was on the cover of their list about 2-3 months ago.

The reason this got me to thinking that this was an OMS and as such more likely an error is that even whilst worn the coin does not look as though it was planned as a trial strike (see for example the recent nickel 1951 farthing on Colin Cooke site). Still an interesting coin and would like to know what opinion is rendered so do share.

Just a contributor, physician by trade.

Value hard to determine even though I do this for Krause. I would think given that it is not actually a pattern (likely) but rather an error strike - we assume - that it would have a bit less value but legitimately is probably 250-300 pounds or so. I have quite a few off metal strikes (OMS) myself but mostly patterns of 20th C. and lack an OMS version of the brass 3d.

I think it could possibly be a trial and maybe Royal Mint authentication might be a good idea. I would NOT condermn it based on its not being an exact Davies type.

http://www.reade.com/Particle_Briefings/spec_gra2.html I see nickel, pure and rolled listed at 8.67 specific gravity. A University or chem lab could help in this regard. Is this coin for sale???

Very good, perhaps a forum member may one day come across some such at the mint as I have heard that many dies are extant there.

Yes, the crown shield seperation is quite obvious from the pictures - nice pics. those!

Hi Rob, can you clarify your sentence after the 1945 dies. I wasn't quite sure what you were saying. I was thinking that a proof VIP 1947 might have a greater chance of appearance than a currency!?!? I have not kept an exact census of appearance of these VIPs, but note that I have not seen 1962 or 1964 & can not recall 1955 or 1957 but have seen 1954, '56, '58, '59 I think, '60 several times and '61 & '63.

I would say that for rating purposes that those in mint state might still be seen to follow the posted order. I agree that survival of the circulated bits was very much favouring preservation of the '46 and '49 bits. The situation for full lustr mint pieces has still seemed to favour the two listed. Proofs of the non-standard years in VIP format are very rare indeed and despite knowing these proofs of record very well note that I have NEVER seen the 1947, only three of the '49s, two in sets; I have seen about 5 0r 6 of the 1946s and only two of the 1948s. The 3ds in proof of '62 - '64 are fairly rare with those of the late '50s a bit more common but must admit to there being the possibility of one or two of those being "sleepers" as well.

I second that, and thanks for the definitive pitures! Always nice if somebody shares a bit of homework with us. Anybody care to venture a scarcity and/or value rating of these brass bits? In mint, I would say possibly this: 1949>1946>1951>1950, and then a distinct fall to the remainder. Proofs: 1948>1949>1947 (never seen one)>1946, then the rest with the matte proofs being nearest to most rare.

Can you show pictures of the two edge types (round and sharp edges)?

Go Gary! Perhaps you could share your ideas of relative scarcity in mint for these bits, 1937-1970? That would be a nice addition, with extra marks for relative scarcity of the VIP proofs if you can manage.

Maybe mine went to visit relatives? Uggh, the housecleaner managed to put things neatly and therefore I am lost...I had taking to calling the reverses Type I and Type II with the most obvious criteria being the crown overlap on the shield on I going to a space between the crown and shield on Type II...

Uggh, my Davies is on vacation - probably in a pile of catalogues somewhere! Gonna keep looking for this though.

Hey, that's nicer than mine! These '60s mint sports are rather fun...

Let's see if I can bring the coin to work tomorrow and get some kind of scan out.

Has anybody knowledge of this as an overdate? I have recently obtained a specimen with what looks to be an overstrike of the 5 on another digit or portion of one that with a dissecting 30x scope looks to be a "3". The coin is full EF so details pretty good, and appears to be later die states with enhanced radial metal flow lines and some evidence of die rust with the reverse die strike showing perhaps even more of the same.