VickySilver

That would be the copper large modulus halfpenny. US market = HUGE, and therefore demand higher for such rarities. A US coin of equal rarity even in an unpopular series would have to go 1+million USD. Australia = "managed demand increase" . A more complicated situation but note there are mechanisms whereby a numismatic issue can be purchased with retirement funds. Now there is no doubt more to it than just that but that is just a portion of it. I can see the '05 2/6 going for 15-20 k or even higher before so very long with the '03 not far behind at maybe 70%.

I think I would take exception to the 1905 half crown NOT being rare in Unc. This coin is in fact prohibitively rare, but the change in relative values to other E7 2/6 IMO is more a function of demand flux in the 21st Century. Condition and rarity absolutely are the major driving forces to big prices, and this coin would fit the bill (theoretical as CC's is a bit less). I have seen one in PCGS63 that was slabbed some 6 or 8 years ago and definately fit the bill and would hit the 10k mark. Perhaps one other, and Rob would correct my memory but I believe that Colin Adams even had difficulty with these dates ('03 & '05)... What would be the value for the less loved, but still admired 1903 2/6 in a like state? 7k? Also IMO the two half crowns may have decent potential for further gain yet in value as they are quite rare...

Well, no chance for me to go either, but as much as I like Baldwin's and their material I too agree that prices have blown up. Did you see on their list the price for the set of five pattern E2 florins? Ouch!!

Ah yes, silver-coloured not silver as these are plated bits - a wash of copper or so on the steel for later dated copper coins...

I quite agree with Argentum's points. It seems coins have different prices depending on the venue, and that on occasion bidding frenzies can "blow up" the price - either at a traditional auction or an ebay one.

Acetone - no damage just colour change usu. very subtle. I am an absolute fan of acetone esp. on silver (can you imagine?)... I have no experience with EDTA although ChKy's example shows a bit of redness - I think I see it - so perhaps a danger to otherwise mint red coins with good lustre. Vinegar is a much stronger acid source in my experience, so be careful as it doesn't just work on the desired verd. spot... Rob, I think I am seeing that effect but have seen it even stronger. There is supposedly some solvent that takes care of the blueness as well??? FYI: The book, maybe obtainable from Amazon or the like is: Weimar W. White "Coin Chemistry Including Preservation and Cleaning"

Uhhh, Peck I think my Organic chem Prof would have been horrified at that explanation. And since its been 35 years I've forgotten some of the "bits and pieces". However, I do remember polar and non-polar & hydrophilic/-phobic, etc. Olive oil is a complex mixture of substances with most of them being hydrophobic (archaeic terminology to be sure), lipophilic substance properties that even with shifts in polarity tendency such as with the oleic acid would not be so readily miscible in water & not particularly that the acid would not be "friendly" to other acids (i.e. vinegar).... OK, sorry for some sorry pseudo-science.... Anyway, IMO, I would not like to keep a mint red penny of lated milled vintage to bathe in olive oil for any long period of time... In a related vein, I recall reading somewhere about changes in acetone and its degradation after longer exposure to copper surfaces. As far as it goes I believe I have seen some slight colour changes with copper exposure to acetone for even shorter periods. I am quite leery of some of those substances occasionally available such as "Blue Ribbon" or the more worrisome "MS70". One of them causes copper to turn blue and I have seen one of the 1860 proof copper farthings with this bluish lustre! Yikes!!

How do those kids say it (with regards to CGS) - NOT! I was visiting about 2 or three years ago to the NYINC show when I pointed out to the CGS folks that the 1875 farthing in their FEATURED display case actually was an 1875 H!

Wow, not sure if I like the responses. Olive oil is acidic, and can not say if this property deteriorates with time but know that it will continue to react with coin surface - I have had some strip to an unnatural color (20th C. pennies & farthings). I have seen some go to a pinkish colour after some while, stripping down to the copper base. Maybe depends on the oil...I remember living on Cyprus and visiting Crete where they had some of the mildest and finest olive oils - I wonder if they were as acid as the base Italian stuff? I remove excess oil with dish detergent and LOTS of water, tamp & not rub dry with a high nap CLEAN white towel. PS - A gentleman in the States, Weimar White wrote I believe two books on coin chemistry and will have a look around and see if I can find at least one title. PPS - Once when I was brave I used a celly charge cord as the power behind an electolyte source to reduce the oxidation at coin surface; believe it or not I found out by this method that one 1936 penny was actually a proof!

Wow, I really hate it when they do that. Damages credibility quite a lot. My pet peeve with them is grading of matte proofs, both the 1902s, and later patterns and proofs that I have seen. What are they thinking on these? Not consitently high or low but all over the place gradewise.

It is my understanding that they do, and have seen some coins reflecting this...

Ah yes, "focal aesthetics" maybe is the term? I too am in the same boat, as even minimal marks to the face seem to carry so much more weight and a corollary that the same physical dimensions of scuff, brush or mark on either the reverse or lesser area seems to carry so much more import. I remember seeing one of the rarest of all Victorian currency bits, the 1893 Jubilee Head 6d now slabbed as MS64, that was virtually perfect with mirror-like PL fields that had but a single tiny and otherwise seemingly insignificant blemish on Vick's cheek and thinking what a terrible shame that was - the mark itself and the fact that it was accentuated but such an otherwise pristine coin.

Yikes, big step of a statement. 1860 copper farthings pretty tough as you were saying as well. I don't know, may be true about the halfpennies but they just do not "light my fire", and this seems to be the general feeling I get from many collectors as well. On the other hand, wouldn't turn down a mint 1845.

Not sure if you mean the clash mark found on all that I've seen, including the other Colin Adams specimen we have talked about. That one is of course a mark of legitimacy. I would challenge the finding of significant wear marks of any circulation on the one just sold.

Of course that leaves 1863, plus or minus dot. Nice '63s a bit hard but not crazily so...

For now I think this quality will cost 10 k. USD. The two mentioned on these boards appear to be near the very top quality wise. EFs might drop the price in half.

Mandatory picture as you esp . to see if it is NOT a counterfeit and also whether there is a "C" (for Ottawa/Canada mint) at base of horse's hoof on reverse. If no "C", then it could be rare London Mint issue.

IMO, the price on the 1889 small head shilling was a good one for that sort of top shelf quality. The second session without floor auction has been known to offer up the odd bargain. Perhaps Rob knows of a finer specimen? I definately do not. RLC, I really feel for you on the 60/59 but perhaps it is not in strong hands and will re-emerge - I have noticed this to happen on occasion. I too think that the prices fetched for some of the "condition rarities" were rather high...

Anybody bid in the just-closed Heritage Auction Sales? Some high prices but friend of mine got the 1889 Small Head shilling - Wow! Nicest I have seen ever. Seemed like there was a concentration on high grade material versus absolute rarity, last example excepted.

Great source and he has helped me out with some of the greatest coins imaginable...

Yikes, "Run Forrest, Run"!!!

Sword I'd check with them on that.

I am convinced that the "plastic changes/PVC" are due to factors prior to encapsulation and not the plastic of the "tomb" itself. What is that term for the flame test again (think it's naturally a German one)?

Yes, likely a wiser move rather than the "itchy fingers" I would have to "fix it". PCGS of Europe for a try? They may also be at some coin fairs but you might have to contact them. Do let us how this all works out. BTW, can you show the rest of the coin?

I have had excellent luck with acetone (pure 100%) and no colour changes - works pretty well. I don't think it a big thing to crack it out of a holder at 64. If it was 67, it would be. The two TPG's in America guarantee their coins against such damage and will make good but I don't think the value would justify sending it...