How To Identify Pre-Decimal Proofs.

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Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 3,653
CoinManTim Valued Member Australia 318 Posts	Posted 08/14/2011 07:02 am Just a wondering, how do you identify pre-decimal proofs. I see many listed on ebay being sold in 2x2s, but they look just like normal coins (not shiny like post 66 proofs). Anyone with any Sherlock skills on this topic would be appreciated. Report this Post to the Staff

sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21788 Posts	Posted 08/14/2011 07:41 am CoinManTim: You are quite correct; they do not obviously appear as proofs because the fields are not polished. Sometimes, it requires an expert to identify a proof from an absolutely perfect gem grade circulation strike of the same date and type, but if you do get a chance to compare, the quality of strike of the proof looks better. The only pre decimal proof that obviously appears to be a proof is the florin of 1959. The reason for this is that proofs were made after the production of the circulation coins was complete. It was discovered that after the circulation coins were produced, a flaw in the master hub was found, and all of the emus in the circulation florins have an 'egg' at their feet. This was corrected on the master hub for that date, and the proof die taken from it, to produce the proof coins. The proof florins for 1959 were the only ones that do not have the 'egg' between the emu's feet. 1506 proof florins were struck. Absolute gem uncirculated pre decimal issued coins are probably scarcer than the proofs anyway. I have seen plenty of proofs over the years, and lots of uncirculated pre decimal coins as well. But absolute gem condition circulation coins with a perfect strike?......that's quite another matter. I have seen only a few, but I suspect that such coins are rarer than the proofs. Report this Post to the Staff
Sap Moderator Australia 16834 Posts	Posted 08/14/2011 10:27 am I have seen predecimals slabbed as "proof", when no such proof coins were ever made with that year. So even the American TPGs can't get it right all the time. I certainly can't tell the difference... which is why I'll never pay to own a predecimal proof. I'm happy to leave them for the experts and specialists that can tell the difference. 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 Report this Post to the Staff
thesandpit Valued Member 119 Posts	Posted 08/14/2011 2:45 pm Quote: CoinManTim: You are quite correct; they do not obviously appear as proofs because the fields are not polished. Actually the proof dies of the predecimal proofs were polished!! The Canberra decimal proofs have the high points of the dies (all but the fields) sandblasted to give a cameo effect. The 1955-63 series of Melbourne mint proofs were all struck with just polished dies - things to look for are the reflective fields, the square rims, the near perfect strike. The complication is that the Melbourne mint sometimes used chrome plated dies. These give the coin nice flat fields and are refletive, but less so than the proofs. For the Perth Mint copper; the 1955-57 coins were struck with polished dies. The 1955Y penny has a unique die combination [obverse 9 coupled with reverse with narrow date] so could be identified even if heavily worn. The others can be picked by the nice wide rims, strength of strike and colour. Proofs dies from 1957-1963 were deliberately frosted on the fields and are extremely easy to pick. (Yes you get both types for 1957 pennies). Report this Post to the Staff
CoinManTim Valued Member Australia 318 Posts	Posted 08/15/2011 02:48 am Thanks for taking the time to respond, I feel like I've squished a little bit more knowledge into my head. However, would have preferred you to have said: Proofs are easy to spot because...! Think I will go with SAP on this one and not bother with the pre-dec proofs :) Report this Post to the Staff
zic Valued Member Australia 121 Posts	Posted 08/15/2011 08:48 am sel_69l, am I understand you right, that for example this link represents not the true stoty, where 1958 sh CH/UNC worth 25$ and 1958 sh proof worth 10 times more? I am new to aussie coins, but I really excited about them and desperate about any info) upd here is the link I noticed! http://www.australianstamp.com/coin...1958shil.htm Edited by zic 08/15/2011 10:55 pm Report this Post to the Staff
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