VickySilver

No doubt, however many of the sets DID seem to survive up until the 90s when they were broken up. I think the saddest was when one of the only two 1922/1924 proof sets from the Pretoria Mint collection was broken up (the one with the famous 1922/27 penny). The proof shilling collection I mentioned was a rather late entity that seems to have broken up quite a number of sets, including the 1941 - I bought those two shillings from Spink's offering and have not so far been able to find the other silvers.

Ah yes, and your Wreath in currency without cheek, mustache, or ear chatter with fully struck up flowers with stamens & crown cross detail is VERY hard indeed.

Of course, without stirring up a hornet's nest (I hope) a coin coin can be uncirculated without being fully stuck as technically they are not on the same spectrum. To have both a full strike and no "bagmarks" is quite the blessing. I have some specimen florins and proof as well from the 1942-46 period and they are quite nice as might be imagined....

Yes indeed, some of the prices fetched are breathtaking and as you've no doubt surmised this would likely be the reason. I think it sad when original proof sets are broken up though; putting them back together certainly presents a bit of satisfaction.

There was a collector that divested his 20th C. proof shillings through Spink about 12 or so years ago - many of these had to be obtained by breaking incrdibly rare VIP and Matte sets. I know because I bought a few, but not the QE2's. Don't know if it was the same source. That '56 set sold for a small fortune IMO....

I think the question bears a general answer - I have seen a couple of crowns over the years & some worn. Most are in better shape but these might be confined to collector examples. Some doubtlessly were spent but not most - after all a crown represented quite a bit of money to most people, even into the early 20th Century. I think many, and likely the mentioned 1934 crown may have been "pocket pieces". There certainly could be a differential in survivability between heavily worn and nicer, but if we do not assume that reasonable premise it then seems that most late Vickies and Ed7's are seen in EF-AU grades commiserate with a bit of handling by average lay public. BTW, if the double florin was the barmaid's lament, then a whole crown was what got one the enchilada, so to speak. Wouldn't that be the equivalent of 50 or 100 quid now?

Pete, if they are rare bits with a high grade then in all likelihood you'd be pleased. PS - Can you give us a hint as to what they are?

PM me, and I will send you pictures of each Wreath date in currency and VIP proof - although some are locked up in safe deposit box. I used to have two of the currency 1934s (sold one) & proof is ex-Spink. BTW, many of the slabbed proofs in fact are early die state currency which in the case of the lower mintage 1934, 1932 and 1936 is nearly the entire issue. This is also all the more reason that there should be better striking detail in the areas I have outlined previously. Not quite sure why some readers seem to be missing the issues I have brought up, which are actually quite germaine and unfortunately bring this specimen into question. Also will note that NGC have not always been on mark and I have had to continually resubmit a few coins with supportive documentation as to type/variety and they with a few have held on pigheadedly to their initial opinion; finally gave up on them

Ah yes, I can see those very nice images. Do we get to see the others? I only got a few of the Ed 7's in hopes they were a bit better than what I had of those dates - they weren't especially. You know, Richard I have stretched for a few and generally as a collector have appreciated that I did afterwards; I bid up to (sorry!) about 6500 by memory but felt anyone wanting it more dearly would deserve it, so congratulations. BTW, I tried to bargain that off of Steve when he first showed it on the board and he wisely held on to it....

I agree with CK, certainly there is quite a bit of variance in quality at the same slab grade with even the same company. Also, some series they either don't seem able to grade or something - this would be my [sort of] specialty - matte proof silver of 20th C. One of my favourite dates of shillings - I think that one was a relative bargain when it came up for sale. Somebody went "big" for the MS 64 that came up same time.

Now that is the sensible way! I tried the Hercules method once of just twisting one in my hands until it shattered - but then the coins and some very sharp plastic shards exploded all over the room.... Prax, for some reason your images generate only a question mark on my I-mac. That was quite a haul there from Steve's bits. I really thought about giving our dear SS a run for the 1922/7 but guess I have to keep something in the bank!

I once tried removing a matte proof (off year) coin from a slab and HIT THE EDGE OF THE COIN! Fortunately it was only minor damage, yikes! I bet Heritage would remove it for you once they were paid.

Although I liked Steve's pennies that I won, the photos were a bit more exciting from CC than the actual coins....

I think so, but a more careful checker would be a better source! LOL.

I really liked the only "major" winning, the 1841 shilling.

Hmm, better get your leather pants on.

It is my recall that in fact these florin patterns WERE sold as sets - or at least a portion of them. I have seen not complete 27 sets but I think it was 8 or so coins in a set...

I'm sure readers have seen the Atlas Numismatics site? Atlasnumismatics.com I note that there are some nice coins on the positive side, but the prices are -well - scintillating to say the least. A gold 1935 Jubilee Crown listed at the bargain price of $195,000! I would hope that is just for a starting bargaining position. Most prices are IMO 40-100% or more on the "optimistic" side. The dealer must have access to considerable resources to even control such stock, but what might all of us think of what this does as far as upwards pressure put on the prices of scarcer bits of milled coinage?

I was really commenting on their high end bits...They were running quite a few Patina/INA items at 300 USD!

Don't think the quality of their coins are in dispute, and most seem to agree that can charge whatever they will. Good for you in getting them to negotiate on price. Jaggy has shown a pretty good eye IMO in the purchases he has shared with us. I just think it is a bit cheeky to quadruple or quintuple a price on a particular coin; good if they get it, but perhaps a bit excessive. I only broached the subject in that they seem have taken this business model, and think if a few more dealers were to take this approach that it would change the market in the coins we like. Maybe that is just longing for the good ole days, but a bit sad also.

Interesting in that they were willing to go "auction retail" and then charge at least 40 % above that in all likelihood.

They inhaled many of the Gerald Jackson pennies for a song, and then were able to resell at very good prices. Kudos to them. those were some of the greatest quality currency pennies I have seen, period. Still, the cited gold crown example is a bit over the top as well IMO as these at auction have pretty well been stuck at the 28-35k pounds level for a good decade.

And it almost literally has that appearance - specimen....Lovely surfaces and strike of course.

In silver it would be 3500 quid or better.

Go SS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!