VickySilver

True, except that there may be surface alloy problems with metals that are more reactive I would think.

The thing about it is that the "origin" of the verdigris appears to be a more solid oxidation spot with a halo around it that is expanding. Naturally I did not have the privilege of viewing prior to purchase. I don't believe it had been slabbed all that long prior to purchase however. And now I have a bunch of these Specimen 1935 Rockers. I guess because I like the design and that at one time the specimens were going for very little more than currency. I am still looking for an absolute pristine currency, and the one with the garbled edge (dropped?) motto.

Thanks, Richard for the assist! I remember the 1853 pennies in proof used to go for peanuts as nobody was interested. What did theirs go for? For some reason I can't get excited by the 1841s, though the '59 ok. They seem to get recycled in the wash and come up for sale more often than I would think....

Wish I could post, but was pleased to win the 1964 OMS strike penny in copper-nickel at the Heritage auction today & so have the 1964-67 run in OMS. Well, no gold though! My only penny purchase in at least two years!

I agree with Jelida mostly, but will note that the obverses of many including the OP coin do suffer from strike and at least to me seem to have more issues with marks and wear. I really like well struck and toned or marvelously lustred silver from the era 1920-1926 (why I jumped on those "duck tailed" specimens when Rasmussen had them a couple of years ago. I think I got someone to post my specimen 1924 from a couple of years ago, but may send it out if you are interested. PM me.

I think this is of the type that is referred to as 45/3. Whether it actually is or not is another question, though I am inclined to agree that yours is.

Looks to be a bit of friction on high points on obverse, but over a mushy strike although some nice looking underlying lustre, particularly on reverse that almost makes it look to be of better metal than 0.500. I'd put it in AU55 category.

I'll stand by my opinion that the "marks" in the field are that, except that they originate from the blank or planchet marring and not fully struck out. The oxidation spot at the cheek in lower right has nada to do with the other issue of course. I will still vote proof, not optimally struck.

I think that a written note from them would do worlds if it could be directly tied to a specific coin. Their opinion would be near the top I would imagine and especially for milled predecimal coinage.

Rob, I totally agree. I think it is "caveat emptor" when it comes to proofs (or for that matter most coins).

And I think that proof strikes are not always optimal, as well as recognising that the blanks prior to striking are not always polished and there can be areas of the coin (admittedly usually the devices) that may not be fully struck. When there are areas of poor strike/weak strike, details of the original blank including scratches, etc. may not be obliterated... So we may be talking proof coins that are not prepped or struck in the "completed" fashion, and this may be what occurred in the examples shown.

Yes, these were my coins that I sent in to be graded/slabbed. Actually included the "duck tailed milling" proof specimen shilling, florin, half crown of 1920. I think they may have also sent my 1937 silver farthing model reverse as well. I think also a couple of pattern Vicky half sovs.

I can tell you for a fact that on three of my coins they were sent to UK and then back again - they were out for > 3 months. PM if you want details...

Well, I can say they for sure make mistakes, BUT on major rarities or patterns, they will send the coin out (eg I know some of mine have been sent to Steve Hill and also Mark Rasmussen - I can' t think of better predecimal milled silver references as they trump [don't use that word, I'm sorry] Bull, etc.).

OK, I vote for real deal but cleaned with subsequent oxidation and "cameo" wear. Wish I could post mine, sorry though.

Hey, keep us posted Jag! I am with you, it is only if I am going to trade for something that I get up off even the doubles.... I think, dear Peter, that there might just be such a thing as moderation and sometimes it just plain exceeds that [by a LOT].

The example mentioned is exactly what I DO NOT LIKE ABOUT THEM. I guess it is the American Business Model at its (IMHO) worst. They buy a coin and maybe even a bit higher than it has been going for and then bounce the price by 400, 500% and more to see what they might get away with. So it is also IMO no concession that they put that OBO business at the end of the sale, some consolation. I certainly appreciate where Jaggy is and that he has gotten a piece or two, but I really don't like the bulldoze "GreedMo' " approach as it in the end despoils the market. I am most glad that I got many of the very best coins that I have before this sort of thing got into the market. I can see how this may fragment the market eventually if this approach is expanded on by others - and I see it occurring (eg the prices on proof Victoria gold and now "hyper grades" bringing hyper prices). This is not sour grapes either, so should not be dismissed as such; there certainly are times that I could have secured another piece or two and pinched the market but just don't believe in that approach as this is a hobby for many of us, and nice to have fellow collectors out there. This is the sort of thing that is now applied to more classic Brit issues that we have seen first with the flippers that purchase the "limited edition" issues (and now has seemingly spread to the RM and the Garufulos (sp?) and other tat they now issue that has extended the "GreedMo' " mentality. Well, sorry to run on.

LOL, yea true is that. I try to like it an managed to get all the silver but quite stale in appearance. Even the florin - if you look closely Brit looks a bit, hmmm, "alternative lifestyle"

Please don't let me get started on them. Nice coins is as nice as I can say.

Yea, that is what I remember from all the years I did subscribe - mostly a lot of fluff and ads. Maybe I'll give it a go on the e-version plus good to support Richard in any case.

Aye, perhaps some reader may be able to post a link on this perhaps??

Ah, which penny? Didn't realise you favoured those?? As though not enough penny chasers around. LOL

Very nice, and good shooting there. I have not bought (satisfactorily) anything for well nigh a year. BTW, I am not at all sure that the 1905 shilling based on pictures is superior to the Norweb specimen...I will say not. Also on the 1905 halfcrown, at least from the pictures, does not appear superior to a couple of the MS 63s that I have seen.

I think it is rascoins.com or something close....

And I have wanted to know the actual net number of sets struck and released for countries like Jamaica - NOT the maximum mintage limits!