Paulus

I have also had excellent problem-free transactions with this eBayer link

Doesn't quite make EF for me. perhaps GVF / NEF, and the obverse in particular definitely looks polished. I quite like natural toning, I find it can be very attractive if it's not patchy. I wouldn't describe this coin as having 'rainbow' toning however, that suggests to me the kind of unnatural effects that some US collectors seem to prefer, even when obtained artificially, for example

Woo-hoo, welcome back Chris! :)

I find this article very useful: link

That doesn't surprise me, in my early days (before I joined the Forum) I was persuaded to buy a Henry V Calais Mint (yeah, right!). Agincourt was mainly luck I think, but that Shakespeare speech is very stirring, my favourite being the Kenneth Branagh version. Talking of military brilliance (or lack of it !) is he also interested in any English Civil War stuff? Or Waterloo? I love our English history, we punch so much above our weight for a tiny island This is my fav H5 Speech

Not for your goodself I'm guessing Stu? I need a decent W3 Crown too so leave off please (seriously though if you let me know which lot number you may be bidding on (if any) I will steer clear) haven't had a chance to browse, yet, and no not for me! A nice W3 crown around the £800 mark is a little bit illusive. It's a price range where you can buy average or great, depending on the day, so I'm being patient on his behalf! H5 is no better or easier a find between HG and Penny! I haven't browsed yet either (except their highlight preview), but I totally agree re a W3 crown, seems to me they can range from £300 to £2000 for apparently similar grades and eye appeal, based on the pics alone. So maybe a series to see 'in-hand', or where you can view in hand from a dealer 'on approval' is what I have concluded so far. Distance buying one from an auction would trouble me unless the pics were extensive and excellent. I've always wanted an H5 example, perhaps that's just the Shakespeare/Agincourt factor, but I am not going back that far into hammered just yet

Not for your goodself I'm guessing Stu? I need a decent W3 Crown too so leave off please (seriously though if you let me know which lot number you may be bidding on (if any) I will steer clear)

I have never liked the terms UNC and aUNC, for the reasons outlined above. There is no way of knowing whether a coin is truly UNC unless it is still sealed in it's original packaging from the mint (if it came with any), and 'about uncirculated' sounds like an oxymoron to me! I prefer 'as struck' and 'practically as struck', which some dealers also seem to prefer.

Just imagine, that would be 0.4 pence! Postage maybe 10,000 times that!

On the verge of acquiring this, just for due diligence anything to put anyone off? Opinions on eye appeal and grade very welcome

I agree with Michael, your grading is not far off at all. People normally grade coins for wear, allowing for weak strikes etc, and ignoring imperfections like rim nicks and digs. These will affect the value, but not the grade (at least in my opinion!) You should be beginning to notice how so many sellers (including SOME dealers) routinely over-grade their coins. £28 very reasonable for the 3.

Not your area? Early milled silver? Maybe not these days! Now the proud owner

No pics though sadly. CGS describe the variety as "First Head. Smaller more wiry date numerals with the 6 and 9 of the date appearing to be damaged on their loops"

The eBay listing is here: link The highest grade in the CGS population report is 85

Of some concern is this eBay auction offering what they say is a CGS 82 slabbed and graded coin. There is no UIN Number in the listing, I have asked for it. The seller says it is Choice UNC CGS 82, but look at the pic for this common coin (Not that that should affect the grade) GF ?NVF?

I agree with Dave on this, too many of this seller's coins have the same toning and / or photo effects link

Very very interesting ChKy! Thanks for posting

Thanks Peter, I think so too!

Happy birthday indeed!

Great news Peter, have a lovely weekend

As I understand it, there is no way to know how many were minted that were actually dated 1854 (or any other date)?

Thoughts to you and yours, chin up

This is what I would aspire to, tips welcome BRG

Excellent!