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Replies: 18 / Views: 645 |
Press Manager

United States
1411 Posts |
George V Proof Florin 1927 Canberra, KM31, Proof 67 PCGS, a stunning example of this classic rarity, struck for opening of the new Parliament House in Canberra. Only 400 were struck in Proof and this is the finest we can remember seeing. The surfaces are fully mirrored with light amber patina in the legends.  Check out Florins on ebay. Read More: Coin of the Day Series
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
602 Posts |
I've always liked that coin, and to see it in Proof - just lovely! Thanks.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2199 Posts |
Wow. What a beautiful coin.
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Pillar of the Community

Sweden
651 Posts |
That's just amazing. 
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Moderator

United States
98038 Posts |
Outstanding! 
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
18360 Posts |
The very first design of George Kruger Gray, and arguably his best. He went on to design dozens of designs for British and British Commonwealth coinages that went into wide scale circulation.
The letters 'K' and 'G' can be seen in the scrolls below the raised date oval.
Proofs show three steps at the doorway at the end of the driveway approach to be building. MS+ circulation strikes that also three full steps are probably rarer that the proofs. This was a low point in the design and it had to be, to allow a full strike up of detail of the King's head on the obverse.
Over the years at auction view days, I have seen 3 or 4 proofs of this coin, but only one example of a business strike in MS+ condition, with all three steps fully struck up.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2919 Posts |
This is my slabbed coin. A MS63.  Steve :)
View my Coins here, (NOW WITH OVER 15,000 IMAGES).... http://www.coincommunity.org/galler...hp?cat=10048OFEC count = 237
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Valued Member
Australia
341 Posts |
The proof dies were also used to strike some regular business strikes. Normal planchets and pressure. Most of the die markers are still visible. A fair number were made before the dies cracked.
Edited by echidna 02/12/2021 11:07 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
18360 Posts |
@ triggersmob: An exceptional coin in this condition and a three stepper, not often seen, even with just pictures.
Could be a coin as indicated by echidna.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2919 Posts |
Thanks for the extra info guys.
Steve :)
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Pillar of the Community
New Zealand
2460 Posts |
Those are stunning my AU is not even worth showing here!
The proof one is wonderful with a nice tone emerging. The coin was one of the most stunning designs ever!
The 1988 $5 Parliament House was less stunning.
Loving Halfcrowns. British and Commonwealth coins 1750 - 1950 and anything Kiwi. If it's round, shiny and silvery I will love it.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
756 Posts |
Possibly even scarcer than the Proofs and the 3 step florins are the prooflike florins (circulation strikes on unused proof blanks). I'm only aware of 3 such examples in MS grades and only one has the adjective "prooflike" on the slab which is below the MS63 grade. For some reason they won't call it MS63PL though.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
646 Posts |
Yes,great Coins,i have one somewhere with 3 steps and severe die cracks thru the reverse lettering,must have been one of the last coins struck with that reverse die. As mentioned above I read back in the 1960's the die strike pressure was reduced to try and get some longtivity in the Dies and one of the casualties were the steps. I'll throw a Pic. up when I find it.
This thread may bring Trout back,LOL.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
18360 Posts |
@ nealeffendi: I am not surprised to read your report. Reason for this is the fact that the 1927 PH Florin was intended for circulation, and as the Great Depression approached, most who found such a nice coin in their pocket, were nevertheless most tempted to continue to spend, rather than keep them.
Although much more common in VF and EF grades than the standard definitive 1927 Florin, a genuine PH Florin 3 stepper in high MS grades is a seriously scarce coin, with high collector demand amongst those who know of their background.
I have about a dozen 1927 PH Florin in above average condition, but no genuine 3 stepper in MS60 or better, despite searching over hundreds of examples over a period of perhaps 20 years or more.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
756 Posts |
Hi Sel, my understanding is that the "prooflike" florins were regular strikes struck on the specially prepared blanks (highly polished) that were meant for the proofs. That MS63 with "prooflike" on the insert was previously owned by Trout. He had actually sent it in to get the letters "PL" put after the 63 but no dice so as far as I'm aware it is the only example of a pre decimal with the word "prooflike" on the insert. Trout and his missus went Grey Nomading a few years back and he downsized his collection, that's how I snapped it up.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2919 Posts |
The coin I showed previously was a Trout coin too.
Steve :)
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Replies: 18 / Views: 645 |
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