VickySilver

Yes, intriguing. Even though this coin is right up my alley, I can not hope to compete so will just watch from the sidelines. I wonder if there are any more or if the "family" has any more specimens?

Your enthusiasm is impressive, sign me up if you are able to finish for a copy and hopefully you can at least get basic type photos. I was able to find these old pictures of one of the gold pieces NGC did not list the weight which I believe was the heavier (42.2 gm. ??).

Somehow you managed....

I would be shocked at less than 50k, even in the current market and virus-phobia.

Have not been able to get to the bank due to Corona . The Krause Unusual Coin book from 2011 has many listed.

OK, I like the earliest versions & got some of the gold ones in the Spink sale & held on to them. Will email later in the week as they are "locked up".

Beware attack of the pie plates! This is mine and I don't know how to downsize so apologise in advance:

Ah Paddy that one shows quite nicely,some of these later Eddies really suffer in strike. Not to derail but I have had a devil of a time getting decent 1908 shillingsd and florins.

The obverse has issues beyond a soft strike as the surface does not appeal (even subtracting the toning), and key areas like the ear, angle of jaw, fleur du lis (it is early here!) and orb cross at top of crown do show friction. I could possibly accept as a 58 - maybe - with the usual caveat that it must be seen in hand.

Very nice, pleasant “H”s of both 1918 and 1919 are always welcomed! I had a devil of a time finding specimens with good colour, and obverse and reverse truly struck up.

Oh come on gents, you aren't going to pop for the 7 kg. specimen? YIKES!!!!!!

Wow, love that golden colour!

Wow, that obverse is none too impressive, the reverse better....

I tend to be in agreement, even though this is near to the core of my collection. Also, there seems to be very little demand, even for superior specimens. I have a couple of 3ds of this vintage that also are superior mint state examples, not far in quality from the proofs that I have. That having been said, there are some very, very nice proofs out there that are unmistakably of that quality. I think my main issue is rather with the Wreath crowns wherein the TPGs have certified FAR too many coins as proofs that are not.

My thoughts are that as well, likely 63ish, 64 on a good day. 1881 S as you've surmised is not a rarity and well struck often. However, these coins if not all that attractive do at least to me have a bit of a feel of the Olde Weste (LOL).

LOL

18 USD on eBay.....

Looks legit - maybe MS63 which if so and graded means about 1850-1875 USD.

Site was acting a bit funny today, and only bid on one coin as finances a bit tight. Won that one: Jamaica 5 pence overstrike on 1/2 real.

AU58ish in my opinion, not altogether unattractive but not just quite "there". Interesting how the reverse fared better which seems so often the case. I don't think it particularly well struck but there does appear abrasions across the devices (George) on obverse.

Yes, and especially in view of the truly special coins they had. Colonial as well as GB

Recall is about 1993-4 when all these coins, many unknown previously started making their appearance. What in the world? It was a bit of a surprise. I haven't really had conversation with Steve about this but think Bob I. would be the person to ask - is he still alive or about?

I've lost my notes from the time, but may have been minor bust/hair details. Please note that the (in)famous Bob Illsley "sourced" much of the South African Pretoria material. He at one time has ALL of the post-1902 matte proof sets, and one each (at least) of the gold patterns from the 1920s including 3d, 6d, florin, ??halfcrown. I managed to get the matte 1927 set, and then also the 1929 Wreath in proof, and several other pattern pieces. No provenances were provided. So Dolphin Coins at one time had massive connections to South Africa, but I have no independent knowledge of their knowledge as it were.

OK, I bought it from Steve Hill whilst he was as Spink at the time and may not have made the SNC then. It was a two coin lot with the new type (for 1927) shilling in proof and also a variant, though minor.