Bank Of Canada 1912-14 Gold Coin Special RCM Release

CC-Ottawa, MoneyPenny, tripoli and other interested forum members,

I think I know why the range of satisfaction varies so greatly among those of us who have received our gold coins.

Except for experienced collectors who have seen many of these coins in a variety of conditions, there is a great deal of subjectivity involved. It's difficult to know if one's coins are really high quality or not, when one has only poor photos to compare them to. (no offence to the many of you who have posted photos of their coins).

It's extremely hard for amateur photographers to do justice to coins when they are held "prisoner" in their thick plastic capsules, or in ICCS flexible plastic holders, or the hard plastic "coffins" used by PCGS and other grading firms.

Most cameras can't clearly focus of the coin. Also, dust, dirt, fingerprints and other debris, not to mention poor lighting, weird reflections and shaky hands all contribute the coins appearing to be in much worse condition than they are. Also it's hard to capture the amazing lustre maintained by there century old coins.

Granted, dings on rims, deep scratches on the king's face, or on the background definitely take away some of the eye appeal, and it's unfortunate for those of you who have received your coins in this condition. I still think that if your coin is really in such sad shape that you wished you never bought it, I would ask the mint to replace it or at least allow you to return it for a refund.

I have to say that I am generally very pleased with my coins despite each one having small imperfections (almost all are on the obverse side). I never thought they would be "perfect" like the modern NCLT coins., but they are spectacular overall. I personally don't care too much about what grade they might be given. For me they are truly great Canadian pieces of art.

However, I am frustrated by the difficulty I have had in taking decent photos of them. I almost want to crack them out of their sealed capsules.

Anyway, I will start posting mine shortly beginning with the last one I received, the 1914 Hand Selected $5.

So here we go...

In the black clam shell first:








Five different shots of the obverse:
(There's no black spot on the King's cheek, nor to the left of the "I N", no too sure what caused it to appear on 4 of the 5 photos, probaly shadows?)













Now three of the reverse:








So what do you think about mine and jsinger21's?

Finally, got mine today.
I like it and happy to own this piece :)

Will post on late evening pictures of the HS 1914 $5 coin from the Feb order and this one (from the Nov order).

FINALLY! Five and a half months after ordering my 1914 HS $5 is now in my hand. The condition is not spectacular, but it completes my 12/13/14 $5 set. There is some scuffing on the obverse, and a couple of noticeable dings on the reverse edge, but I'm happy to finally get it. I'll try to put up some pictures ASAP.

Will be posted, as promised.

Too many hours I spend in the office and didn't have a time for nice things in the life.

@SilverBug, looks very good luster on King side

As wrote previously, was interested to compare closely my HS 1914 $5 coin ordered in February (shipped in March) and HS 1914 $5 coin ordered in November (shipped in May).

Well...as I see it - no significant difference.
Tried to do some pictures to compare, may be because of light conditions, or something else, but on my pictures the best view - is "un-cropped", when the coin is in the box.

Here the pictures:

HS 1914 $5 - February order:











HS 1914 $5 - November 29-th order:








Added:
The last one - not clear, some reflections make it less detailed. Sorry

still waiting for mine! lol