VickySilver

Yes, please, helpful for those of us unable to attend the auction. NGC seemed IMO to give some of these coins a push so will look forward to seeing if buying the coin takes precedence over the plastic grade. One example: the 1854 florin. The shilling of like date also getting a couple of points.

Stacks-Bowers has just sold a "Churchill" crown of the expected 1965 date, except struck with two obverse dies and evidently not doctored or messed with. So, two QE II effigies and none of Churchill. Grade appeared to be at lower mint state levels - maybe a 63 in the Sheldon scheme. Has anyone seen/heard of one of these? Price? $2880 USD

Yikes, quite a diversion! Well, I am a late milled fan but always like to hear of other coins. However, I am interested in some of the coins coming from the 1960-70 period - knowledge, but if possible collecting them - this would exclude the halfpennies and pennies struck in gold!!! I have the 1964, 65, 66 and 1967 pennies struck in CuNi. Interesting that there should be such a run, but wonder what else was going on at the mint. Was it all "shenanigans" performed on after-hour shifts, or just what? But back to the original topic: I will likely get this coin certified as there is trouble in many quarters accepting it otherwise. Not that TPGs are infallible, but because that will give the coin somewhat greater plausibility.

Yes, they've graded a few bits and bobs but not particularly well thought of. I have gotten some nice ones they slabbed because the plastic/label put people off..

Ah, thanks for that. Will follow the lead. Thanks Richard for not running that price up then! LOL

I agree that if genuine that it was likely done on purpose. It was the final year of the predecimal penny and have no doubt this was the case. I have a 1970 halfpenny struck in nickel that is probably the same, or maybe test strike testing alloys or die compatibility. Whatever, certainly it was a lot cheaper than the 1949 double obverse and does have the dated side (Reverse) so prefer it. Given all the odd OMS coins known, I think they were busy at the RM with or without the consent of management, or maybe it was management.

I think that one was taken as legit by people that looked at it. I bought the Double Obverse 1970 proof penny at LondonCoins. Will see what I think of that on delivery.....

Just wondering if anybody attended last Wednesday's BSJ sale and how things went. What about the alleged proof copper (lots 109 & 112), or the 1903-1905 2/6 coins? I was unable to rouse myself at an early enough hour to watch or, heaven forbid, bid!

Yes, first information may not have been duly recorded, or lost (with all the changes of ownership of the mint, etc.), and then gathering whatever left a problem. I think initially most info was reported to Krause, and then that seemed to stop. I am with you and would love to have such. The RM also difficult with information at times.

Yes, coin number one for me - better struck on reverse & see lions on shield as example as well as hair detail on obverse as well as brow showing a bit less detail. Maybe just a bit of rub. Lustre better IMO on second.

Yikes, wives must be on the mild side! It will be interesting to see how some of these coins fare. Many really nice, some not quite up to the rest...

I agree with Azda about the 1854 shilling. Really now! I did get an MS64 some years ago that is the real deal and this is not in a league - I thought maybe a "61" The 1860/59 has a truly lovely obverse strike with the average reverse, [in]complete with missing pectoral/boob.

Just a quick one: what did the currency 1839 half crown go for?

Ah, thanks for that. I rather like this type. Does anyone recall the Glendinning c. 2000 era coin coming up for sale? That is the one on the PCGS web site. 8k was probably a decent price for that.

Yikes, that doesn't sound good at all! Don't think that is standard practice other than for them....

LOL

And as careful as I try to be, I have had proofs to deteriorate as far as surface toning or loss of original copper "red". The worst example is what was a completely red and original 1926 ME that now would have to be characterized as "Red and Brown". Still well struck and one of the finest, but just not all there the way it was 15 or so years ago.

Pete, you know, I am in the same place as you. I guess that I was a borderline fanatic at one time. If it was a rare DATE penny or milled silver 1830-1970 rarity, I was on it. Now, a bit of a ho-hummer. At one time the upcoming Spink Waterbird Sale would have really gotten a charge out of me, and now I am just a bit interested . I suspect many of us have a mild version of the malady as well. Anyway, again I like looking at this marvelous 1926ME and Richard's evidently photographic memory. Maybe I need to look again on his site at the '26ME's. Cheers, gents (and ladies)!

Better lustre? Wow, that would be nice. I really like coins such as this that are not "micro-varietals", rare and beautiful! Wish I could post mine also...It is the one on the PCGS site for 1926RB (MS65).

Yes, I think that the made-to-order was SOP for them. I don't know what happened to the extras and would like to know. About 3 years ago, I got from England on eBay.uk the Jamaica matte unc. 1975 and 1977 dollars which had recorded mintages of 27 and 28, but had in 40 years NEVER seen one on offer at shows, internet or printed...And this includes many that have specialized in such material. As they were made in CuNi (essentially pot metal) and really huge with very little face value they may have been tossed by the Central Bank. It is possible that the leftovers were put into circulation like the 1984 FM PL Trinidad 50c - I have never seen one word uttered or printed about any specimen set from this year and do not recall it being advertised. The Jamaica 1984 FM Specimen set was advertised for a short period of time in the Gleaner (a major newspaper there) but have not seen other reference except two Eastern European sources!

Interesting point there, were any of the PNG FM coins circulated at all? The 1995 PNG 100K was actually struck by the FM even after it's "demise" in 1985. Not sure how that happened - these are quite rare.... Interestingly, at Downies some years ago I purchased the holdings of a former PNG Central Bank ?Director? that included ALL of the matte uncirculated 1975-1977 1t - 10K coins with multiples of the smaller denominations; many of these I had slabbed and were of MS66-67 calibre. As far as circulation, I got about 6 months ago a Trinidad and Tobago 1984FM 50c in Unc. but that had obviously been at least in a bag if not lightly circulated - it had certainly not originated in a mint specimen set (which are unknown in any case). Also, many of the Belize issues 1c-50c from the FM show some signs of circulation, a lot in the case of the 1c pieces.

I know this topic has been broached before, but I was wondering if anybody (hello Rob?) might have an idea how many total 1983 Two "New Pence" were struck. I have seen and have the Martini set, heard of the Heinz and the alleged Royal Mint sets that included these. I've also seen some evidently worn specimens on ebay (counterfeit maybe?). I'm wondering if anyone has hazarded a reasonable guess as to how many total are out there of all types & maybe how many were struck. I have seen one estimate of 20 but think this must be low, but admit to having no idea as to how many out there...

Yea, that is good - kind of taken off of Heritage. thanks to them at least for that.

I had a GEF specimen at one time, and wife on leaving me took it - have not replaced it since...Boo hoo.... I did get a proof specimen but would readily trade it for the currency.

IMHO, most bidders don't fully take into account all the "extras" in fees, VAT, etc. when they bid and just suck it up as more expense.