1937 Coronation Crown Opinions Please

[Arganto]

Hello!

I have this 1937 Crown and the more I look at it the more it looks kind of proof-like to me. There is wear to the high points but taking that into account the design seems to be more defined and almost frosty in comparison to others I've seen. The fields have a nice shiny lustre too although far from perfect. Unfortunately it's the only one I have so can't compare two side by side, I have however compared it to a few lovely condition half crowns I have. The reverse design has a definite contrast to the fields on the crown whereas with the halves the fields and design look to be the same in colour/shine.

My experience with old coins is growing gradually but I am comparatively clueless, so if those with the knowledge take one look and giggle I won't be offended 😁

Thoughts?

 

[stefffana]

Hi, Liam,

I am looking at your coin from one hour and I am almost sure that it is a proof one.

I've tried to compare with another pictures from internet and the best one I could find is this one:

https://www.gbclassiccoins.co.uk/shop/crowns/1937-george-vi-coronation-silver-proof-crown/.

[stefffana]

Also, I am very sure that I've seen on "Today I want to show..." one proof set Crown to maundy 1937, but I don't know who or when.

Maybe our colleague who have this set can show a good quality picture of his crown...😊

[stefffana]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gt-Britain-1937-Crown-Gem-Proof-NGC-PF-64-Rare-Grade-15k-Struck-/163620081657?redirect=mobile

[richatthecroft]

Photos aren’t great but here’s my two 1937 Crowns.

The one on the right is (very clearly) the Proof- the other a near uncirculated. 
 

[Arganto]

Thank you very much @stefffana @richatthecroft for the replies. I'm going to get mine under better lighting and compare but it does look like it could be a proof issue.

[richatthecroft]

It does look like a Proof issue- I’ll get some better photos of mine for comparison. 

[richatthecroft]

[Arganto]

8 hours ago, stefffana said:

Hi, Liam,

I am looking at your coin from one hour

I appreciate the effort bud, thanks! 😁

[Arganto]

4 minutes ago, richatthecroft said:

That's very helpful Rich, thank you. The obverse on yours seems more proof struck in colour but I can see where the detail in the strike is similar to mine. The reverse looks spot on, although yours has survived with a bit more detail I think 😁

When I get back later I'll take some better photos of mine and put them up.

This is excellent chaps 👌🏻

[Simmoleon]

Strangely was looking at the 1937 silver specimen set last night and here are pictures of the proof crown. Obviously toning impacts the coins appearance but this is practically as stuck with a few marks and slight localised toning 

Reverse

 

[Stuntman]

I'm not convinced that it's a proof, the strike doesn't look sharp enough to me.

The toning, especially on the obverse, looks a little bright and a little flat.  Might it have been dipped?
(It's still a nice coin...)

[Arganto]

56 minutes ago, Simmoleon said:

pictures of the proof crown.

That's a looker! 

[Arganto]

28 minutes ago, Stuntman said:

I'm not convinced that it's a proof, the strike doesn't look sharp enough to me.

The toning, especially on the obverse, looks a little bright and a little flat.  Might it have been dipped?
(It's still a nice coin...)

I appreciate the input either way! I can't attest to the history or treatment of the coin as I've only owned it since September. It doesn't look cleaned or dipped to my untrained eye but it may well have been at some point in it's past. It's a keeper and not something I'll be selling, I picked it up in a tiny coin shop (for a good price) run by a very helpful and kind old gent whilst on holiday so it's something of a memento of the time away.

If it is a proof issue it would be nice to know, especially given the super low mintage of that issue.

I'll take some better photos this afternoon and post them up 👍🏻

[Simmoleon]

5 minutes ago, Liam84 said:

That's a looker! 

It’s on my list of do I send it for conservation or not; it’s got a few marks that distract from it but no guarantee conservation resolves these so currently still undecided 

[Simmoleon]

2 minutes ago, Liam84 said:

I appreciate the input either way! I can't attest to the history or treatment of the coin as I've only owned it since September. It doesn't look cleaned or dipped to my untrained eye but it may well have been at some point in it's past. It's a keeper and not something I'll be selling, I picked it up in a tiny coin shop (for a good price) run by a very helpful and kind old gent whilst on holiday so it's something of a memento of the time away.

If it is a proof issue it would be nice to know, especially given the super low mintage of that issue.

I'll take some better photos this afternoon and post them up 👍🏻

I think you are on to a win win either way; you either have a proof or a very nice non-proof. It’s a tough call and if you want a nice comparison go and have a look at the 1935 rocking horse crown in which you have the proof, specimen silver and circulation; some of the non-proof coins look border on proof so it’s not usual to see fantastic strikes on these crowns 

[Arganto]

Hello again!

I've had a good look at the coin in natural light and taken two photos using that natural light. The photos are extremely unflattering but show up much more on the surface of the coin...it does indeed look like it's had a cleaning 👀 When I bought the coin it was viewed under low lighting and I pretty much put it away in a coin book when home without really studying it 🤣. Not a big deal as it was low priced (maybe for a reason 🤪) and is still a nice memento. It's interesting that under warm room lighting it has the features of a proof strike, especially on the reverse, but under harsh clear natural light the appearance is quite different.

What do you think?

 

[stefffana]

Liam, you make me laugh, my friend!

In my opinion is happening with you this scenario:

You have met a beautiful young lady, you spent time with her, been in touch for a while, you know... Restaurant, walking in the rain, laughs, theatre, concerts... You are in love...

In your imagination all hopes are raised that the young lady is a virgin and untouched by another man.... Until the inevitable happens and you discover that all your dreams fall apart: the woman was not untouched.

Liam, she is still beautiful and charming, nothing has changed. It is only about you and how are your feelings. If you can love her, stay with her, if your disappointment is too deep, leave her. But remember, she was touched before meeting you and this lady never told you she is virgin, was only in your hopes and imagination.

The same is with your coin. Another man had it in his pocket in touch with two sovereigns and a half crown 84 years ago, what you can do? If you love it, keep it, if not, leave it. I would keep it, it is still beautiful. 😊🤗

Kindest regards,

Stefan.

[Arganto]

24 minutes ago, stefffana said:

Liam, you make me laugh, my friend!

In my opinion is happening with you this scenario:

You have met a beautiful young lady, you spent time with her, been in touch for a while, you know... Restaurant, walking in the rain, laughs, theatre, concerts... You are in love...

In your imagination all hopes are raised that the young lady is a virgin and untouched by another man.... Until the inevitable happens and you discover that all your dreams fall apart: the woman was not untouched.

Liam, she is still beautiful and charming, nothing has changed. It is only about you and how are your feelings. If you can love her, stay with her, if your disappointment is too deep, leave her. But remember, she was touched before meeting you and this lady never told you she is virgin, was only in your hopes and imagination.

The same is with your coin. Another man had it in his pocket in touch with two sovereigns and a half crown 84 years ago, what you can do? If you love it, keep it, if not, leave it. I would keep it, it is still beautiful. 😊🤗

Kindest regards,

Stefan.

Wooo that was deep! A point very well made though 😁 

I assume you belong to the guild of bards and poets? 🤗

[stefffana]

12 minutes ago, Liam84 said:

Wooo that was deep! A point very well made though 😁 

I assume you belong to the guild of bards and poets? 🤗

No, but probably I am a dreamer. I love to imagine stories or fair tales behind a coin. Any old coin has a story, seen people, travelled a lot in a long life. Was used, exchanged thousands of times for essentials, food, drinks, guilty pleasures, lost or stolen several times, been in a silver purse or a dirty pockets, seen happiness and sadness.

In your thoughts, who can tell us more stories: a sixpence coin, or a sovereign?

[Arganto]

I think this is why I tend to be drawn to coins that have a bit of life to them. Don't get me wrong I like to appreciate the detail in the designs but a 70 in a slab is not the same as something nice with a bit of wear that shows it's gotten about a bit 😁 

 

[stefffana]

3 minutes ago, Liam84 said:

I think this is why I tend to be drawn to coins that have a bit of life to them. Don't get me wrong I like to appreciate the detail in the designs but a 70 in a slab is not the same as something nice with a bit of wear that shows it's gotten about a bit 😁 

 

Hallelujah!😊

[Stuntman]

10 hours ago, Liam84 said:

Wooo that was deep! A point very well made though 😁 

I assume you belong to the guild of bards and poets? 🤗

@stefffana - much respect.  Love your analogy!

He may not belong to the guild of bards and poets, but I sort-of-do.  I won the UK Allstars Poetry Slam in 2012 😀

@Liam84 - the coin is still lovely, even if (to quote Madonna) it may not have been touched for the very first time...

[stefffana]

Hi, @Liam84, at the moment @matt1r have a proof crown 1937 for sale. You can check, buy or compare his pictures with your beautiful coin.😊

[stefffana]

Sorry, my eyes are getting old, his coin is a Half Crown Proof 1937. I feel embarrassed.