3/12 Claw 20 Cent Coin

These are quite common in circulation so I'm sure it will pop up again soon

Sad discovery this morning

I checked my two 1981 3.5 claw 20 cent pieces.
I had previously classified these in the evening, by strong lamplight.
One of the pieces was my "pride and joy", because it was in quite good conditions.
But unfortunately, the bright and shiny little "advertiser" was an impostor.
When I looked at the coin again in daylight, and rotating it against the light, I noticed that it was in fact a 4 claw.

I have "shown all" below.
The "shiny impostor" is on the left-hand side, the "true" / weather-beaten 3.5 claw on the right-hand side.

I have also shown the evening photo of the claws from the impostor in A - looks a lot like 3.5 claws, right ?.
B shows what the same area of the coin looked like "in the light of day" - first claw faintly extends the full length.
C shows "true blue" in the light of day. Clearly a "3.5 claw".





A bit grumpy , but wiser nonetheless .

Squire

thanks for the tip trout1105

Yes, I can clearly see the difference in the Queen's eyebrows in the photo's that I have submitted.

I have a few 20 cent pieces to look at tonight, so maybe "second chance" at the "Canadian" in "brilliant" condition .

But for the detection of subtle features, such as the 3.5 claw, I will make a point of turning the coins around. To inspect under varied angles of illumination.

Squire

I read that the easiest way to determine a claw coin is to look at the base of the lettering. In your picture is seems the base of the E and the L in Elizabeth are flat in the left coin and have more of a curve in the right coin. This would indicate the right coin is a Canadian Claw. IN a good picture, look at the E, L and B.