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 Replies: 15 / Views: 2,115 |
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Valued Member
Australia
50 Posts |
Hi all, I am wondering if anyone would be able to give me some help grading my 1960 sixpence? I have some concerns with the very large fingerprint on the obverse, the nick after 'gratia', and the scratch between the 'N' & 'A' of 'Regina'. The somewhat 'weak' strike on 'advance australia' also brings up some problems for me, but I'll leave that to the experts to decide. The rest of the coin is pretty much problem-free. Do you think it's a proof variant, and if so, what grade do you think this would receive? Many thanks, Coinanthebarbarian I am happy to provide more images if needed.    |
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Valued Member
 Australia
50 Posts |
I don't know what happened to the image quality.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
I agree; image quality is too poor for accurate grading, and if a proof or not in any condition. However, all is not lost.Go to Google Images, and search: '1960 Australian proof Sixpence'. A proof sixpence should be exceptionally well struck and best seen in the details of the emu's head and feathers. All of the feathers should be easily seen under moderate magnification. Also Google search for non proof Australian Sixpences in high MS++ (choice or gem), ( not PF++), condition. Spend some time to learn and consider carefully, and hopefully, you should be able to come up with an accurate grade opinion for yourself, and also have a good idea it it is a proof or not. Your comment about "weak strike" on 'Advance Australia' suggests that it is not a proof. Spend some time comparing your coin with those found on Google images. You never know, you may end up being the expert yourself, and have acquired a lot more confidence in grading for yourself, rather than relying Third Party Grading. That has to be a good thing !  |
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Valued Member
Australia
50 Posts |
  Hopefully these aren't as blurry. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Still a bit blurry - the images come out at 9 inches diameter on my screen monitor.
Emu's back feathers are all there, but the faint 'ADVANCE AUSTRALIA' makes certain that it is not a proof coin.
Need much sharper pictures to give a 'GEM' grading - just guesswork to accurately grade above
Ch. Unc (MS-64), but I am not really happy with using Sheldon grading on non U.S. coins.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1039 Posts |
Quote:
Emu's back feathers are all there, but the faint 'ADVANCE AUSTRALIA' makes certain that it is not a proof coin. Yes,all the feathers seem ok but the base of the cocked leg doesn't seem Ok. Along with the vague strike of 'Ädvance Australia'I'm not sure what to make of this Coin. Others that know more than me will probably be along to offer an opinion. |
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Valued Member
Australia
50 Posts |
Yeah, I've had some mixed opinions on this coin. Many people have thought it's a proof while others have thought its a regular business strike. Do you think it would be worth sending off to a TPG service to let the pros check it out, or is it not worth it because it's most likely only a $AUD10 coin if it's not a PR? |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1333 Posts |
yeah, not worth unless you looking to keep it in a plastic case, since shipping makes it probably to costly I would say $25 per coin standard. I would say unless you can get Top MS grades its definitely not worth bothering unless you want to handle it a lot e.g display to customers. Just thought about it yeah there isn't much cameo effect on the Australian (pre-decimal) proof coins.
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Pillar of the Community
4628 Posts |
Quite a few scratches and fingerprints on the coin. Generally hazy appearance and weak strike evident on the "Advance Australia" logo, no way a coin struck this badly is a proof.
However in the positives can't really see any wear on it, although the star above the shield is weak. I would say its Uncirculated, maybe Choice Uncirculated. Not bad but nothing too special as 1960 is a common date.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
852 Posts |
The sixpence looks better than ChUnc. I'd also have to disagree with Princetane about 1960 being a common date (common in circulated grades but scarce in high grade). 2 weeks ago an example in MS65 sold for $54 and last month a MS66 sold for $250 (and that was an underpriced BIN that sold before I had a chance to buy it), in MS66 they are worth around $300.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
852 Posts |
A quick update, the coin was subsequently listed on ebay (Australia) and I won it. Now waiting on delivery  and hoping it is a nice circulation strike. Will update when it arrives. |
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Valued Member
Australia
50 Posts |
Let us know if you get it graded! I'd be interested to see what it comes back as!
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
852 Posts |
It will probably be graded, though it will be in a queue as I currently have about 800 coins to be graded over the next few years. I do have about 80 QEII sixpences in MS graded PCGS slabs (including 1960 in MS65 and 66) so I should be able to assess the likely grade once I get it under my loupe.
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Valued Member
New Zealand
140 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
852 Posts |
Hi NZStamps, there were no pre decimal year sets in Australia. Basically the coins were either regular circulation strikes that collectors obtained from banks/mint rolls (or in their change) or proof strikiings sold at a premium. From the images it most likely is a circulation coin in ChUnc or higher condition.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
852 Posts |
Sixpence came today. Very nice  Compared it to my proof sixpences (1963) and to my MS sixpences (1959 and 1960). It isn't a proof. The obverse beads are nice and domed from about 4 to 10 o'clock but not fully filled out from 10 till 4. Proofs have all the beads fully filled out. Both dies are not fully centred and they are slightly misaligned. Proofs are centred. As to strike quality, SUPERB. The AUS in the ribbon is well struck up and better than on my MS65 and 66 1960 sixpences (though not as well struck as the MS65 1959 (which may well be undergraded). Surface originality is lovely, only issue is a fine vertical scratch on the reverse, fingerprint is barely noticeable. The rim edge is as good as the proofs. Nice subdued lustre, dies look to have been fresh. The proofs have that mirror like shine that this coin lacks. Likely grade MS65. |
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Replies: 15 / Views: 2,115 |
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Posted 09/15/2021 11:24 am
