What did the royal mint do?

[watchesandwhisky]

Compare the two ...The later ones are nice but not a patch on earlier proofs!

[Danny-boy]

Based on those pics, I reckon I got a 2011 proof from atkinsons random pot the other day.

The figure was not frosted like my 1980 proof, so I assumed it wasn't.

Maybe I was wrong.

[watchesandwhisky]

If it has mirror feilds it probably is

Hate to say it but the later ones look like chinese knockoffs compared to the earlier ones...:/

[garthy]

Just looking at those two coins I can't believe how many subtle changes there are, from the horses tail to the muscle tone of the george and the dragon, it's like spot the difference.

I never realised they'd changed so much of the detail.

[Danny-boy]

If it has mirror feilds it probably is

Hate to say it but the later ones look like chinese knockoffs compared to the earlier ones...:/

It has, so maybe it is. I'll take pics for opinions tomorrow.

[watchesandwhisky]

Just looking at those two coins I can't believe how many subtle changes there are, from the horses tail to the muscle tone of the george and the dragon, it's like spot the difference.

I never realised they'd changed so much of the detail.

Yup, the quality of the sculpting was far better on the older ones, much more lifelike!

[watchesandwhisky]

The more I compare the two the more surprised I am at the differences, @sovereignsteve can you shed any light?

[HawkHybrid]

Based on those pics, I reckon I got a 2011 proof from atkinsons random pot the other day.

The figure was not frosted like my 1980 proof, so I assumed it wasn't.

Maybe I was wrong.

 

the figure on proofs should be frosted/matte instead

of the milky shine found on bullion.

 

Compare the two ...The later ones are nice but not a patch on earlier proofs!

DSC_0248.JPG$_57 (1).JPG

 

starting 2007 a new recut die was used to try

and bring out more of the detail in the design.

some subsequent years had modifications.

the 2007 could just be a bad example of the

new dies.

 

HH

[sovereignsteve]

Yes, HH is right. There was a major change with the 2007 although I must confess, I've not done a straight comparision as the one above. I'm actually quite shocked at how flat the detail on the 2007 looks in comparison to the 2000. I don't think the years after that are as bad. I need to have a close look at mine.

If you look at the early years in the modern series, such as 1979 especially and 1980, you will see a difference again, the difference between the frosted detail and polished field is  not as great.

[watchesandwhisky]

Well it seems that all proof sovereigns are not created equal! 

 

Though this makes it easier for me if I was to ever go for a proof sovereign date run, I think I would end it at 2006.