VickySilver

I'm a buyer at 150, too cheap IMO. 1k over the top. BTW, I am not an advocate of fancy catalogue prices, high or low.

Ah yes, well speak of the devil...LOL That coin is IMO mint state with a very soft strike through the bow at bottom of wreath. This is not wear. The obverse is a bit soft through the hair & the brow area, for example, is also soft and NOT wear. So a technical grade would be in the 60-70 range. To narrow it down: very little in the way of distracting actual marks, but the toning makes it hard to determine if there not be lesser areas of "bag marks" - I have to guess since the coin is not in hand that they are there, however. I do not have a problem with 63-4. This is not a gem (65) or superb (67). Toning colour looks acceptable and neither outstanding or necessarily artificial. So I think this would reflect overall the colour, strike, metal quality (as best as can be determined), and overall eye appeal is decent. Have to weasel on the 63 or 64 designation without it being in hand. As far as value, I am not going to pretend to guess what it would go for but I would tend to opt for possibly 300-350 pounds and do not see 1k as being reasonable. I have in the past had some major disagreements with NGC 6d and 1/- grading on later milled, and PCGS also seems to have a spread of often 2-3 points high or low of what I might attribute when speaking of a coin I have no interest or stake in. Generally, I would say the PCGS grades are a bit more conservative, but NOT always. An example would be some of the pieces graded for the "Millennium Collection" of some 4 years ago. Another example is the 1854 6d that was in the Cheshire sale (by memory) that was UNDERGRADED IMO as there appears to have been clashmarks responsible for some of the downgrading to a 63. That was a superior piece, and probably a "65". I saw recently an ex-Spink SNC 1848/6 shilling in NGC 58 that had only minimal bag marks, excellent strike, colour, metal and eye appeal which I would have given a certain GEF or 63 to. A conservative GEF might quite often reach "63", a very conservative such as Glendining GEF from the grand olde days might even reach 64 or 65. The coin graded 1926 ME in MS65RB (PCGS) is a superior piece that was originally a Spink SNC GEF - the colour on that quite original and showing a silky lustre and one of the nicest 20th C. coins I have seen. Point being that these numbers are not perfect and certainly open to debate but, I at least, have rarely seen a later milled coin that was graded 65 by either of the two above services that would not generally be considered a nice piece with decent appeal and GEF to mint. I do not see them grading cleaned, hairlined bits that might otherwise be called VF cleaned or some such.

Amen, will leave blanket unsupported statements and assertions at Peace without response for the season! Meanwhile, we can encourage actually learning as well and will say that though I am no supporter PCGS has supplied their definition to each numerical grade they "award" It might be entertaining enlightenment to see what VF, EF, AU are as well (say, as opposed to lower grade UNC), and why there are different numbers for uncirculated in the 60-70 range. Meanwhile, I have seen "good olde daye" Spink coins listed as GEF thar really were Uncirculated and without other than the most minor of bagmarks and no wear.

Well the final price - 227 - was consistent with a "no", but that was my choice anyway. It is possible to find quite PL silver and some copper of this era as well.

Or rather that the article touts the capacity of the two major TPGs to pick out dipped pieces = really more of a comparo re: the lesser or backyard TPGs to pick out specimens altered.

Supposedly original 1889 French definition: "bloom of the die"

And Spinks is gospel? Not! LOL on the '73 set - you may have to pay someone to take it...

Hmm, smarter use IMO...

Not sure how FDC coins have to be of proof strike. A coin with full mint bloom and without bag marks would be the virtual definition, but I think the "n' or "a" prefix has some validity as the minutest of marks missed by some are picked up by others with more acute observation powers or vision. Probably most "68" or "69" coins would fit this definition as well as the 70s, but of either proof or currency format. Azda's coin is rather nice but the rim dent or deflection would keep it out of that category, most def. post-minting. I have seen a matte proof 1953 with such an edge "deflection" that I think was caused by a soft hammer strike. Otherwise nice surfaces though. Interesting that as was pointed out in the Coincraft book, it seems that virtually all the matte proof 1902s were given an extra wipe by the workcrew before being packaged up in sets - how much does this bother others? As for me, I would rather not have them present but at least if they are more subdued, then a bit better. These marks are sometimes difficult to pick up in the wrong lighting, and I have also noted in the areas of what is perhaps micro abrasion to be slightly varied toning.

If authentic it would be valuable. Unfortunately, it is most likely a concoction which is generally made by hollowing out the obverse (heads side) of one coin, machining down and away the heads side of another and fitting the second coin within the first with a braze or gluing of the two pieces. There is generally a seem showing on the rim (although this can be worn away). Also the obverse half of one can be cut away and two halve showing the "tails" side glued/brazed together. Also, counterfits can be cast. These are then worn down by either real or simulated wear. These are the main methods, but others can be performed...

Yes, I concur as to value. But more importantly, and I hope it does not fuel the slab debate too greatly (but will take on whoever if it does), MS 61 is a technical uncirculated grade but may be low on eye appeal despite the PL status; and maybe the moreso because of it! Some "GEF" pieces are nicer even if they are at a technical deficit. Why? Because PL surfaces tend to highlight "bagmarks" . In general, and I have seen many coins, I have found that MS61 is generally a preservation state that is not too attractive - it is a bugaboo grade so to speak.

Wow, that tissue test is a bit simple there, and maybe simple-minded? Mostly the "drop test" should show a silver coin generating more of a ring with a higher pitched resonance than a copper-nickel or baser metal specimen which would be more of a lower pitched "clunk".

Outrageous IMO. I love late milled and will not begin to pursue! 20th C. meet Bunhead nuts! LOL. Does it really matter for a hill of beans? I know of a collector who collected by die number and DIE STATE! Well, to each their own...

Amen! I was not favoring the 2012 edition and felt many of the milled values to be off. What was your impression of Victorian copper and silver?

BTW, the vast bulk of Heritage coins are photographed THROUGH the slab, although they do show coin in slab as well.

Wow, silly me thought that was a slide case! And it MUST be a proof! All for 9.99, what a steal. Thing is that it might actually be a bit better preserved than some, but can not really tell from picture and the price needs to drop.

It does look to be a "Satin Specimen" as I like to call this issue. Definately more detail struck up although as has been pointed out the finish of the coin is not that obvious. I was curious in my previous response if it was some sort of different issue in proof or ?, now answered. Nice piece, and I for one do like these.

Yikes, I tried to get on the CGS site and they sent me on a spin.....Hmmm, techno challenged! Still would like to see the '65. PS - My 1951 is suspect as VIP even though bought as such.

Ouch! Some of us like "Churchies" even if there are too many laying about...

Divemaster (and to return the topic back to crowns!) - you said you have a VIP ?1965? Have you a picture. BTW, the Churchill thread on PCGS foreign threads has a picture of the central devices of my satin "Churchy" toward the end...

The VIP record proofs of "non-standard" years are a bit more interesting, or can be. Not many left for me, so am a contender on occasion for the 19th C. copper and silver bits. I would not recommend playing any large premium for a VIP of a standard year - 1937, 1950, 1951, 1953, or even 1927. I have a rare pattern 1927 crown but is so similar to the final that there might not be much interest in it either but I do like it.... Still, was a shocking amount that the 1965 pattern "initialled" Churchill at some 3800 pounds went for - got blown out on that one... BTW, JeffHouston has posted a picture of Churchill from a Satin Specimen on the PCGS forum & rather nice!

I am wondering what an "ordinary" Satin proof/specimen would go for now? I did not feel the estimate bad, but surprised that interest buoyed it up so high. Hate to say it Gary, but I also was in the hunt but was brushed aside by the bidding as it headed toward 3k. My recall is that Satins were generally going when they came up for 1200 or so, and in a related vein, DNW sold THE ONLY 1937 matte proof crown that I am aware of in private hands (ex-Norweb) for 3.2 k just a couple of years ago...

Wow, NEW RECORCD FOR CHURCHILL CROWNS - 3300 pounds plus the juice!!!!

Well, no I won't be there and had to figure out what to do so left two bids by email...

Wow, do you trust them to have it up. I have bid successfully day of sale via internet but by recall a couple of times I was "skunked" by being unable to attach on satisfactorily and thus unable to bid...