VickySilver

Recently, a 1911 Five Pounds Proof coin sold for 99,000 USD and there has been a bit of a discussion albeit with few participants over on CoinTalk. I almost put this up in the TPG discussion but it does apply more generally to the phenomenon over the last five or so years whereby we have seen the value of proof 5 sov. coins of the 1887-1937 vintage seemingly go through the roof, so to speak. Personally, I don't particularly care for this development, but here it is.I can not help but imagine that such prices will encourage more such pieces to be sent into the TPGs and put up for sale and I don't blame the sellers as I would do the same despite being a terminal collector in all senses of the term....I will use iPhone to post the citation to follow:

I love this date nearly as much as the 1849 when truly mint state. What I waited for was an example that had the breast to left on Britannia struck up. I too wonder how many were struck and survive; in the era of internet they come up rather more frequently than in previous times...

Yea, not sure about that price! Love the Halfcrown series but not sure about that as a value. But with the prices that have been reached by other coins, maybe that is the new value/price! I think it might be like Nick that now is the time to sell....

I had no idea they had gone as high. I like the date so much that I have several that are likely "65ish" in RB with nice strikes. I just like the date and was trying to match the ME (which has sadly lost a bit of the mint red lustre after 20 years!!). Not to derail, but the coins in TPGs that simply must be seen are the 1918 & 1919 H (especially) and KN issues as the actual coins will vary greatly in colour, strike and overall appearance...

Yikes, strike issues as per normal on these two with the first much better in AUish IMO grade a 55/58. The second soft with wear and tone and rim ding that might merit a "details" grade but net VF35 or gVF....

Obverse surfaces a bit granular but unfortunately even the real items are in similar states of "softness" or wear....

Tony do you have an update on mintages, and how did you manage to get these figures? Nice job.

However even if granted the 67, and I don't think it is for what it's worth, the coin is not scarce and not of such a value. There is an American firm, the proprietor of which gets mad when I bust him out that does much worse than Jon. He knows who he is, but likely cares not and laughs all the way to the bank as he takes coins at 1-5k USD range at auction and then trebles or better their price after slabbing. He is willing to hold for however long and takes "offers" on occasion.

Wow, as you say it must be a mistake - MS67 just can not give that sort of value!

Maybe 12 years or so; thankfully much better in hand with those lines that are die prep.

I believe the price differential if what I am reading is correct is 6k USD versus 20+ k. USD! The Baldwin discussion on YouTube alluded to that phenomenon and thought it well balanced.

If interested I can send mine to post, it's alright.

What about the 1893 Jub? The coin with no respect, LOL,,,,,

63 Deep Cameo. I was in shock as in all lights and angles and with even 30x mag it is virtually flawless with no marks other than in relief as the die was not perfect. I looked at another graded 67DCAM and of course I was biased but felt this one gave up none to it and has a most unusual original surface with a beautiful sort of toning. I probably never would have slabbed it but the years are passing by and who knows (bit morbid). One example of a die flaw is the longitudinal line about 2/3 of the way toward the back of the neck and the several spots seen on Vick and scattered in the field.

Indeed, I am very sad as that coin was one of my very favorites that when sold by Spink 20 years ago was listed as GEF. The colour was so terrific that I thought that the best chance of preserving it was to slab it (PCGS65 RB). I still prefer it to all those "hyper varietal" 1877 narrow dates and the like.

Thanks on the complements on the 1/2 crown, and not to derail the OP but I bet you can't guess the grade (as it is slabbed, good or bad) - this coin has no hairlines at any angle in any light, original surfaces and no cabinet friction....

Really some lovely coins and only wish I had more money to spend! Retrospectively there were a few that went low but many of the bigger ticket items such as the 1841 2/6 did pretty well IMO.

Doing our best to support Nick!

While I like these larger format crowns, I am not prepared to part with the funds for them and believe they are scarce but not rare. As an example I really like the 1839 half crowns in proof with the deep cameo contrast of the devices. I will try to post later an example (without stealing the topic of OP) with what I have termed "aluminum foil" appearance.

I suspect that in-hand there are fine hairlines which limits the grade although I agree with the aesthetics comment. I have about 3 or four of these, one got in original 1935 silver proof set, and they seem to have these; so does the incuse edge proof. Very hard to get any without these... Also, in looking at the KGV crowns including wreaths, it is IMHO that the evident marks on G's cheek are not post strike but rather the leftovers of what is not wonderful planchet prep (even the specimens and much rarer TRUE proofs show this).

Here is a pattern 1951 crown I got from Mark Rasmussen some 6-8 years ago. The main difference is in the lettering, but even the devices to obverse and reverse seem somewhat different, what do think? sorry I can’t get the reverse to load for some reason as I can’t compress it.

I remember that SNC with great fondness as during the mid-90s to about '03 I bought some fabulous coins from it at real world prices, with some literally museum pieces that I probably have no business owning.....wonderful coins were still on the list by the time it made it over to the USA. DIdn't hurt to be on the pre-pub list as I got faxed some offers.. I tried to look up some coins for research purposes and as above get NOWHERE on their site. I suppose that the Newman Portal may have some info.

PM me email and I can get you better pictures - these are compressed. Good looking out, Gold Star for you Sir!

Yes, mine were bought at one of the Heritage weekly sales and were of superb quality. I agree with you entirely...