VickySilver

Milled better handled IMO by TPGs Lowtide not withstanding. Early milled half pennies not included. LOL

VF35 would likely put it in the 1200 USD range. IMO no great diff between any of the 1850s - overdate or not. Overdates are IMO not bringing huge premiums as was alluded to in my earlier post.

Not impossible feat at the mint as I have seen legit double obv and rev strikes from this era. At the moment Northeast Numismatics in the USA have a 69s era florin for sale on their site. This one here shown not however.

Not superclear image. IMO the overdate will not exceed greatly the value of non-overdate be it 50/49 or possibly 50/46. I think faint "overage" of Victorian smaller silver much more common overall than commonly supposed. Still, any 1850 shilling commands a bit of respect. An American slab grade of 35 is supposed to be an higher level of VF, not VG.

Or not. There are quite a few on "the other side of the Pond" that absolutely abhor this type of thing. May these coins sadly die their natural death in short order....

Hmmm, a lot of "patterns" are actually struck OUTSIDE the mint, and others of questionable origin (i.e. Bonomi so called 1837 patterns, Spink Jubilee crowns & 6ds, etc., the Moore patterns, the Smith patterns, etc. etc.).

Can we rephrase the question: which do we like the best?

Yikes, I used to like the E7 florin, and still do to some degree but DO NOT BLOW up either Britannia's face or [heaven forbid] the body - centerfold or model material she is not. I actually think the gold half ounce Britannia with similar design is nice, a bit too large in one ounce gold or the silver....

All true, the best one can manage is generally a list. Krause is pretty good for 20th. C pre-decimal, and could be a starting point; they actually had a number of illustrations some years back but dropped them. Still, much better than Spink or Davies or (old) Coincraft or ESC.

I believe that both PCGS and NGC have "edge" revealing holders now standard.

Absolutely NOT the same as the other slabbers - PCGS and NGC who have occ. their own shortcomings but not the same "ilk" .

Ditto. Please post dates, and especially good quality pictures. A few of us may actually know a thing or two...

Wait, wait, that is the virgin Mary in side view. If it was a McDonald's chicken nugget might bring that price after all!

Alcohol, not acetone; bit late for now... Not that I am a slab backer, but for those that are anti-slabs: DO NOT TOUCH OBVERSE OR REVERSE surfaces!!! I have seen far too many coins handled by ham-fisted collectors and dealers with residual prints and or rim dings - to me this is at least part of the counter argument against the no-slab folks....

Darn, and I have just spent up my monthly budget! Have to bookmark this seller!

I think perhaps alignment, unless by chance, of the two strikes might mitigate against randomness...

Colin Cooke have always been most helpful to me over the years, but have used them more in conjunction with auctions, etc. Still have bought a fair number of pieces and happy with their service overall. Certainly a small operation and not always perfect. As you likely know the namesake has now been dead 5 or 6 years and it is run by Neil Paisley. Michael I do not know (Freeman?).

I think it may be a while before you find one in a "loose change" dish or junk box. Still they are out there and I know of this one and the one I have; I recall one other coming up, possibly on ebay 2-3 years ago which may have been this same coin.

I bought a 1981 penny over 1956 (by recall) six pence at Croydon about 5 years ago for ~ 50 pounds, so I guess interest is picking up. Too much for me, this.

I like Red Riley's answer and the tactic I use the most often. I think sometimes insensitive offers on the part of the buyer can do some harm as they can be borderline insulting. Tread lightly and carefully, and above all know your coins as best you can...

Yes, quite a bit to look at occasion. I suspect there are many "lurkers" looking them over. Slabs with big numbers go for very large sums, and the economics of it basically influence US collectors of British material to use their services rather than worry about getting the coins across the pond for a London (or other) sale. I have gotten a few bargains by watching very carefully. I have not bid for some while but have in the past come away, like Rob, with some treasures. I have noticed that there are occasional price differences at the same TPG grade level wherein an PCGS graded coin, say in "65", will be listed earlier and go for more than an NGC identical coin also graded "65" and not visibly inferior. My suggestion: if it is a rarity with a high grade number, be prepared to leave it alone unless you want to get a bloody nose! Ouch!

Yes, this is worrisome as where they IMO are most dangerous is when there is a "circulated" specimen of a rare date such as 1854, 62 or 63. These might be most vulnerable. Even though I feel familiar with the series I can not make the call based on the picture. It generally looks OK, but just not sure if there may not be a bit of difference in the bust - but this could be because of the toning/reproduction, etc. Leaning toward genuine though...

Depends of course, but I have at shows offered occasionally 10% off. If it is a coin that is rare or in demand, forget it...

1864 penny at 99L is exceptionally good, but hard for me at least to compare the coins without having them in hand; an NGC58 crosslet went for US$58 including shipping that I have seen and is truly an GEF coin. Still quite a bit of dross to sort through - maybe that is part of the challenge. The best bargains seem to be from recall years ago; in fact I almost completed an high grade Gothic florin set off the 'bay in the late 90s (well never did get an 1854 or 63)...