1902 Crown - your thoughts please

[Magpike 4]

Hi
Recently purchased this 1902 Crown and slightly worried about its authenticity - would appreciate your thoughts

 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381865733309

Nothing obvious regarding detail when compared to other 1902 crowns but toning dark and uniform which is unusual.

The biggest issue is weight - I would expect this coin to weight around 28.24 grams but it weighs 28.09 grams, less than

other 1902 crowns in my collection with more wear.   

[PWA 1967 2,142]

Hi Magpike and welcome to the forum.

Sorry but not my thing but sure someone can help on here.

However if you were unsure why buy it off ebay instead of a reputable dealer ?.

If you have other 1902 crowns ,why buy another and be concerned with a small difference.

Might sound daft but i am learning also 

[VickySilver 832]

Hard to tell from pics but generally LOOKS alright , if a bit scruffy ugly. That is a bit of weight difference but I might be ok if btwn 28.0 and 28.5 gms. 

The rims and devices as well as lettering appear close though I am viewing on iPhone. 

[Magpike 4]

Thank you for the replies

I am no coin buying expert and will be looking to buy coins like these direct from dealers/auctions if I can. At the moment, given my knowledge I have concentrated on a few coins I feel I know quite well and mainly buying from reputable IDs off ebay, mostly dealers. Looking to gain knowledge on this forum, particularly where to buy at this stage.    

I have 14 of these 1902 crowns - love the coin. This coin is actually very attractive, well to me anyway - it is a circulated example, so far from perfect. I like dark toning on silver coins although most of my silver crowns have little or no toning. The coin appears genuine but having compared the weight with that of all the other crowns it is 0.15 grams light.   

If it is a fake it is a very good one but paid too much so would return. Anyone aware of quality fake 1902 crowns.       

[VickySilver 832]

Not seen any of them - I agree a beautiful coin, both obverse and reverse. I hope you have a nice matte specimen!

[Magpike 4]

Hi Vicky

That one no but I think this one I bought has matte finish........................

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ANTIQUE-SILVER-CROWN-COIN-1902-RARE-DATE-FINE-COIN-/192031723613?nma=true&si=1MdTP2eEexVfxpTflp0olAirPMA%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Would be interested to know how to accurately judge whether a crown has a satin or matte finish.

 

[azda 979]

1 hour ago, Magpike said:

Hi Vicky

That one no but I think this one I bought has matte finish........................

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ANTIQUE-SILVER-CROWN-COIN-1902-RARE-DATE-FINE-COIN-/192031723613?nma=true&si=1MdTP2eEexVfxpTflp0olAirPMA%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Would be interested to know how to accurately judge whether a crown has a satin or matte finish.

 

That's not matte, just old toning

[VickySilver 832]

Yes, I would imagine if you look at the www.londoncoins.co.uk that you might find some decent photos archived there. Dave, of course, is spot on.

[Gary1000 41]

1 hour ago, azda said:

That's not matte, just old toning

I like the before and after cleaning pictures

[Paulus 1,975]

Here's my matt proof example:

[Magpike 4]

Nice coin Paulus - will look on your website later to try and pick out the detail.

Take a look at this one.....................

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1902-Proof-Crown-/350635746021?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

Do you agree with the matt proof description?  

[Magpike 4]

5 hours ago, Gary1000 said:

I like the before and after cleaning pictures

Yes amused me as well

 I have thousands of pre 1920 silver coins and so many variations of toning. The shine always permeates, no matter how dark the toning. My coin has no shine. 

[Paulus 1,975]

22 minutes ago, Magpike said:

Nice coin Paulus - will look on your website later to try and pick out the detail.

Take a look at this one.....................

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1902-Proof-Crown-/350635746021?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

Do you agree with the matt proof description?  

Yes. The seller (John) is a member on here,

[Magpike 4]

1 hour ago, Paulus said:

Yes. The seller (John) is a member on here,

Thanks for confirming that Paulus and no offence meant John. You are obviously an expert in this matter and your collection has a high number of matt silver coins. There were over a quarter of a milllion 1902 crowns minted and only 15000 matt/matte versions. How does one tell a matt coin from standard, particularly where there is wear/toning?

Is there a difference between satin and matt?

Apologies for the silly questions but google is not throwing its normal array of answers when I search.

     

Edited January 4, 2017 by Magpike

[Gary1000 41]

One way to tell the difference is to look at the edge lettering, the matt proof has frosting to the top surfaces of the letters whereas the currency doesn't.

[Magpike 4]

I think I have my matt proof 1902 crown......................

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Edward-VII-1902-Crown-GEF-/132067040816?hash=item1ebfcf1e30:g:5twAAOSwnHZYfj23

I hope others and in particular Paulus agree?

 

[Sword 1,489]

That's a matt proof crown for sure ...

[azda 979]

4 hours ago, Magpike said:

I think I have my matt proof 1902 crown......................

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Edward-VII-1902-Crown-GEF-/132067040816?hash=item1ebfcf1e30:g:5twAAOSwnHZYfj23

I hope others and in particular Paulus agree?

 

A very nice coin indeed and i'd be inclined to also say Matt proof, but i really dislike how he's handled it, now all his oily fingerprints will be on there 

[VickySilver 832]

Nice price!!!

[Sword 1,489]

18 hours ago, azda said:

A very nice coin indeed and i'd be inclined to also say Matt proof, but i really dislike how he's handled it, now all his oily fingerprints will be on there 

Shocking way to handle a coin. I didn't even notice the fingers until Azda's post.

 

 

[Magpike 4]

Thanks for the replies and appreciate comments made about fingerprints.

As a novice coin collector, not used to owning such high quality and vulnerable coins, will start another thread on the beginners section asking basic advice.

[Rob 3,152]

13 minutes ago, Magpike said:

Thanks for the replies and appreciate comments made about fingerprints.

As a novice coin collector, not used to owning such high quality and vulnerable coins, will start another thread on the beginners section asking basic advice.

I doubt you will need to start a new thread as all the info has been reiterated many times. 

[Magpike 4]

5 minutes ago, Rob said:

I doubt you will need to start a new thread as all the info has been reiterated many times. 

Yes, that's what I had hoped Rob - a sticky, FAQ or similar but couldn't find that and looked through a number of posts on the beginner forum before starting my thread.

Please feel free to point me in the right direction.