Heritage Galleries Auction - 1860 Farthing

[cathrine 70]

Today, I looked through the coins for Heritage Galleries forthcoming auction of April 17-22, 2013 (CICF World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction - Chicago) on their website.

I saw a listing for an 1860 Farthing - Mule TB/BB - NGC MS 64 RD.

Upon closer inspection of the detailed photos included in the listing, I concluded that the coin illustrated is a very nice specimen of an ordinary 1860 TB/TB farthing.

I sent a query to Heritage expressing my doubt about NGC's designation. They sent an immediate standard reply that acknowledged receipt of my message and promised an answer within a few days.

[Colin G. 147]

Today, I looked through the coins for Heritage Galleries forthcoming auction of April 17-22, 2013 (CICF World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction - Chicago) on their website.

I saw a listing for an 1860 Farthing - Mule TB/BB - NGC MS 64 RD.

Upon closer inspection of the detailed photos included in the listing, I concluded that the coin illustrated is a very nice specimen of an ordinary 1860 TB/TB farthing.

I sent a query to Heritage expressing my doubt about NGC's designation. They sent an immediate standard reply that acknowledged receipt of my message and promised an answer within a few days.

I agree with your identification, it is not what we know as a toothed border/beaded border mule. It is also the 5 berry portrait, so it would be the finest known 5 berry mule in existence by quite a way if it were correctly attributed......deja vu?

Edited February 19, 2013 by Colin G.

[azda 979]

NGC seem to be making a habit of mis-attribution of British coins lately

[Rob 3,152]

NGC seem to be making a habit of mis-attribution of British coins lately

Lately? I've spent the last 10 years actively pursuing NGC mis-attributions on the grounds that there are some real bargains to be had if you are awake.

[VickySilver 830]

And Rob, your point is so well made as not only are there labelling issues (not just with this farthing but the 1848 3d which the cataloguer correctly points out is likely Maundy-sourced), but also psychologic differences that can be played. For example in the last Heritage sale there were some "hyper graded" 6d and 1/- coins that were very nice but lost in the mix were the [quite few] rarities that were just not quite as highly graded & how I got that '89 small head shilling for what I thought was a very reasonable price.

Ultimately, another version of what we see in auctions in England; if you are knowledgeable and lucky to some extent, bargains are still to be had.

[cathrine 70]

Today I received the following reply from Heritage Auctions:

Hello Mr McGowan,

Thank you for your observation. We have not actually cataloged this coin yet, but we generally try to double-check variety designations by the certification services as carefully as possible when we are writing our descriptions.

Thank you,

Michael Peplinski

Numismatist

Heritage Auctions

[jaggy 528]

Does anyone know if Heritage ships using the US Post Office (USPS) or whether they use someone like UPS or Fedex?

It wasn't at all clear on the Heritage site.

I currently live in the USA.

Edited February 22, 2013 by jaggy

[Rob 3,152]

Does anyone know if Heritage ships using the US Post Office (USPS) or whether they use someone like UPS or Fedex?

It wasn't at all clear on the Heritage site.

I currently live in the USA.

I think they ship by whatever you choose in the US assuming it is insured. Overseas is by courier over $250, this seems to have been introduced after I questioned how you could only track a parcel once it had arrived in the UK as offered by the USPS - following the 7 month world tour of a couple of lots which I hadn't received.

[jaggy 528]

Does anyone know if Heritage ships using the US Post Office (USPS) or whether they use someone like UPS or Fedex?

It wasn't at all clear on the Heritage site.

I currently live in the USA.

I think they ship by whatever you choose in the US assuming it is insured. Overseas is by courier over $250, this seems to have been introduced after I questioned how you could only track a parcel once it had arrived in the UK as offered by the USPS - following the 7 month world tour of a couple of lots which I hadn't received.

Thanks. We use a PO Box which often complicates shipping.

If I buy in the UK then I will use my mother's address in sunny Glasgow.

[argentumandcoins 70]

I emailed Heritage over a month ago and told them of the TPG error. No response from Heritage and the coin still up for auction, still what do I know, I'm just a GB dealer!

[VickySilver 830]

At least to my view the lot descriptions have not been finalized. Not a lot on offer for me anyway...