mrbadexample

I'm intrigued, bagerap. What makes you say the "coin" linked to is a lucky amulet? (Oh, I've just noticed that it's enormous - strange that I can zoom in on the "coin", but not the COA.) I only ask because I've been researching a couple of cash pieces of my own. George yours appears, to me, to be a cast brass 50 cash from Hsien Feng reign 1851-1861, Board of Revenue mint.

Yup, all just a bit sharper, isn't it?

Angolan 40 reis, 1757. Larger images here: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BxBRenK8v0n-d291UUdKdU5zRHc&usp=sharing How do I go about grading something when I have no idea what it would have looked like when minted? I have no way of judging the level of wear. All I know is that I can find very few similar examples on t'interweb, and none as good as this one. ø40mm, if that helps? Any assistance gratefully received! Cheers, MBE

That'll be my first ever slabbed coin.

Me please!

I can't do any better than the ebay ones Ian: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-1927-SILVER-PROOF-6-COIN-SET-CROWN-TO-THREEPENCE-IN-HARD-CASE-OF-ISSUE-/201517546371?hash=item2eeb61bb83:g:aH4AAOSwX~dWs3mu

After all that, I'm keeping it. Now, I need another wreath crown. This one's lonely.

One of the things I like about mine is that it has escaped the countermarking that so many similar coins have been subjected to. The one that got away, almost.

Apologies bagerap, my response was a little short, and thanks for taking the time to dig out a similar item. What's the Mountain Groan collection? I've never heard of it. Again, comparing the flowers by the date makes me think mine has a good degree of wear, which is partly why I was dubious of the suggested grade given on the other site. I've only managed to find a couple of other examples, this one, which is more worn than mine: http://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces53250.html (I think the reverse is upside down?) and one on ebay listed as Brazilian and heavily pitted. I can't find that one now though.

Something wrong with seeking a second opinion bagerap? On the other site I was told EF or EF/UNC. Quite simply, I don't believe that, so I thought I'd ask here. The more opinions I get, the closer I get to an answer, and the more I learn. I don't need to be told to respect people's knowledge, thank you - I have done nothing disrespectful on this site or the other. Incidentally, the question I asked was how to go about grading it, not what grade it was. I'd like to know how you attempt to grade a coin when you don't have others to compare to.

My first thought was VF. Mostly because of the flowers *X*L* - the one on the left has a centre clearly visible. I think it's reasonable to assume that the others did too, so there's probably a fair amount of wear, therefore probably well past EF. Got to be better than fine though, methinks. It's not remotely in the area I collect but it has some sentimental value as it was passed to me from a late uncle's estate so I'm hanging on to it. It's quite a handsome piece I think.

This of interest to any of you? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GB-ERROR-2-PENCE-1997-COPPER-UNC-201C-BY-COINMOUNTAIN-/371554890818

I'd like the proof, but not the others Pete, so if you get no takers can you put it aside until my next order please?

I think probably yes. When cataloging my farthings I lowered my opinion of the grade of quite a few of them. Have the coins changed? Nope. I never considered myself a generous grader either (although some of you on here are downright mean ) but the ability to see so much closer made me rethink. As for the penny, sorry, it's rather nice. As for the set, I'm still undecided. My initial reaction was a bit of panic, but I keep having another look. And another look.

It's an entirely valid point Ian. I have the technology to look much closer than ever before, and under the USB 'scope some of my collection looks like it should be in the bin. However, I can clearly see the marks on these coins using a 40x hand-held loupe, and on the wreath crown with the naked eye.

Sorry, Pete, didn't realise you wanted one too. I'll fish one out in a bit.

Ok, a few more questions if I may - this is a bit of a steep learning curve for me, and I don't want to be unfair to the seller if what I'm seeing is (at least mostly) die polishing. Unfortunately, I have no proof coins of a similar age to compare them to - the oldest I have is a 1950 penny received from Pete this morning. When I look at that through the USB 'scope I do see some hairlines. However, they are much fainter and fewer in number. I've attached a picture for comparison. Is the difference due to the different metals? Is the difference due to improved production techniques in 1950 over 1927? Does anyone have a silver proof of similar age that they could take a close up picture of for comparison?

I've added another 5 photos of the wreath crown. See what you think.

I think the worst are on F1, the florin, and WC2, the wreath crown. You say that the hairlines should be raised if it's die-polishing (which I confess, I am absolutely unfamiliar with) but I can't see that the lines are raised either under the loupe or the USB 'scope.

I covet it.

Well it arrived this morning. I can't say I'm entirely happy - everything seems to have been cleaned. Hopefully this link will work to a few photos: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BxBRenK8v0n-SEVjZGhLRGZDRkk&usp=sharing So my next questions: would that be acceptable to you? Is is something I should expect? Having never spent over £100 (honestly!) on a numismatic item, I feel a bit out of my depth here.

It's another of those hammered pennies people here go on about.

Well if I'd been offered 3k for a coin I'd immediately put it on ebay with a 0 feedback account and hope to do better.

0 feedback. 1934 wreath crown. Would you bid? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EXTREMELY-RARE-1934-KING-GEORGE-V-SILVER-WREATH-CROWN-Reasonable-Grade-/121903052893?

Deal!