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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,731 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
I have two 1742 halfpennies. One is basically uncirculated, with residual luster, but with some sort of major planchet problem or odd corrosion. The other is circulated, more like a UK VF piece. My question is, which is more desirable from the perspective of a UK collector? If these were US coins, the immediate answer would likely be the lesser grade no problem coin. But I often see high grade halfpennies with problems in major collections out of the UK. So which is more desirable, the higher grade nearly UNC piece with problems, or the lower grade problem free piece?   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
The top one is better to have IMO. It's not going to get any worse. Look at the whole coin and don't focus on the black. ( which couldn't be better placed anyway )
Both are very nice.
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Bedrock of the Community
United Kingdom
18021 Posts |
 As a UK collector I'd be inclined to agree with TheNickelGuy. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
735 Posts |
We're in the realms of IMHO here but I agree with the others. I'd happily live with the minor staining evident on the higher grade coin as it isn't that big an issue and doesn't spoil the eye appeal too much. Come to think of it, as they're struck from different dies. I'd keep both anyway.  Edited by Hogarth
03/16/2017 4:03 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1304 Posts |
Keep Both! Hogarth! You are going against the tide! I usually do not hear that coming from a collector in the UK! I only have room for one coin per date in my cabinet, so one has to go. The "stained" 1742 is actually quite micro-porous, but does exhibit luster where the staining/porosity is not located. That said, I'll probably keep it, as UNC pieces, even problem ones, do NOT show up that much. Thanks for all the opinions!!
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Top example more desirable, but both are happy enough coins. I would keep both.
In terms of British grading standards,
top: good VF
bottom: nearly Fine.
'EF' is the highest listing for these found in British pricing guides. EF examples are valued a many hundreds of Pounds, VF examples listed a tens of Pounds.
These issues saw heavy circulation, and truly uncirculated examples are quite rare. I have never seen one in hand,
although I have seen odd examples in public auction catalogues over a period of recent decades.
I have three different British coin price guides. None of them have a listing for uncirculated Half Pennies of this period. I suspect that the reason for this is that there are so few truly uncirculated examples and public auction price records for them, to justify an 'UNC' price listing in the pricing guides.
Edited by sel_69l
03/16/2017 5:25 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
Those grades seem a bit harsh. Wish there was an actual grading guide for this stuff in the UK. I put the top one as EF and the bottom one as VF (British).
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Valued Member
Canada
68 Posts |
There is: The Standard Guide to Grading British Coins, by D.F. Allen. Available on Amazon. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
735 Posts |
Yes, British EF and VF are nearer the mark for me too.
GVF or EF would be a legitimate debate for the first coin but 'nearly Fine' is way off for the second.
Edited by Hogarth
03/17/2017 7:17 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
695 Posts |
Well I would keep both as they are both different varieties. Lettering spacing distance pretty obvious for one and the tree is closer to A in the lower pic and different position.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1984 Posts |
I am pretty sure that a competent restoration can make the top coin "problem free". So I would for sure pick it, absent questions about varieties.
EFL, if you like I would happily buy the problem coin from you and have a go at restoration. As a demonstration, I will take the risk. You can have I back for what you sell it to me for if you like it....if not, my problem.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,731 |
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Posted 03/13/2017 2:59 pm
