1887 UK Half Crown Opinions.

EF to gEF.
There are a few different varieties too and it's worth checking out as the pattern type is quite rare: https://www.coincuriosity.com/view/...rieties.html

Nice coin, I would say it's just about EF on the reverse, as there is a lot of wear on the veil and some light wear on her hair on the crown. The hairlines are flat (An EF coin you should be able to see the strands).

The Obverse is stunning and shows only a touch of wear. The buckles are sharp and lion faces show good detail. Lustre is nice, however a slight disfiguring stain and dullness on the reverse.

This type was notorious for a poor strike of Victoria and a sharp one of the elaborate obverse. These coins are my favourite and I am lucky to own very nice 1887, 1888 and 1891.

Your 1887 is better than mine too!

aEF/gEF British grading - AU50/AU58 American

!887 is by far and away the most common date for Victorian Half Crowns. I bought my example in good EF with full luster and mild patina (has fewer dings than coin pictured) for £7 (AUD $15) a coin show about 15 years ago.
Lots of them were hoarded by the British Public for the Jubilee Year.


I thought I got a reasonable bargain at the time, but I keep seeing high EF to choice Unc examples turning up for sale reasonably often. They always seem to be available, if you go looking for them.
Grading wise, if there is the tiniest amount of wear on Victoria' ear, they should grade in the EF to good EF range.
For Unc grades, look for undisturbed luster on the high points - both sides.

For quality of strike, I look at the front faces of the triple lions in the shield.

I agree SEL - 1887's are common due to hoarders, yet ironically the number minted 1.14 million was the lowest of all the 1887/92 Jubilees. 1888 was second lowest and 1889 the highest.

Also even more rare is the 1887 Young Head halfcrown, some 261k were minted of this.

This is my best of the series a high EF 1891



Possibly cleaned in past, but this is about as nice as mine will get at my budget outside of 1887. It catalogues at £90 in EF and £175 UNC. I paid $112 NZ for it, so are happy!