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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,072 |
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New Member
United States
10 Posts |
I've just bought a long term goal of mine, that being an Oliver Cromwell shilling. Unfortunately, I have some doubts about it. I'll start with the weight. It's 4.84g, which is quite below the 6g that it should be.  Here are some images of the coin I bought.     I've noticed some detail problems on the lettering and other places. Filled in letters and features:   Also, the edge doesn't have any reeding, and has an odd notch.  Here is an image of a coin I found doing an image search that is of a similar condition and 5.72g.  Notice that it doesn't have any filled in letters. Here is an image of one that is 4.5g in poorer condition.   Notice that this one does have some filled in letters. I'm very curious as to the opinions of the community about this coin. Thank you in advance. *** Moved by Staff moved to a more appropriate forum. *** |
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Moderator
 Australia
16806 Posts |
I'd tend to agree with your suspicions: low weight, poor detail, no milling, and (to me) a yellowish tint to the high points, all point towards a brass replica. The "notch" implies to me a jewellery mark, which would make it a made-for-jewellery replica.
I'm always suspicious whenever I see one of these in heavily circulated condition: these coins are effectively patterns, they were not struck in circulation quantities and never released for circulation. "Finding one in change" would have been like finding a Confederate Cent in change.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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New Member
 United States
10 Posts |
Sigh. Thanks for your opinion Sap. I really hope someone more optimistic chimes in though!
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
725 Posts |
The filled letters don't make sense and I can't see how it's feasible it would weigh 4.84g when it should be 6g. Genuine coins are very close to 6g.
Edited by JohnConduitt
11/07/2023 02:37 am
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New Member
United States
10 Posts |
Hi John. I'm pretty convinced now that this is non genuine. But as for the weight variation, Commonwealth coins never passed the Trial of the Pyx. So it could be that there is more variation of planchet weights than during other periods.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
725 Posts |
Ok but if you conduct your own trial (by searching for genuine Cromwell Shillings and recording their weights) none get close to 5g, let alone under.
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New Member
United States
10 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
725 Posts |
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New Member
United States
10 Posts |
Great research John! Thank you. I've repacked the one I bought and it will be going back to the seller soon. He has been courteous, it seems to have been an honest mistake.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36558 Posts |
That one would have fooled me.
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,072 |
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Posted 11/06/2023 12:43 am
