Another attempt at grading......

[DrDave]

So, armed with my new Grading book, an image of the coin on a large screen in front of me (eyes are not what they used to be), and yesterdays comments ringing in my ears,  I have another 1887 Half crown to have a go at grading.

So heres what i think:

Obverse: The pearls and lace detail is still good, and the hairline is intact. Looks like the earrings have flattened off a bit, so i'm going to be cautious and say that it is VF

Reverse: The George and the dragon on the bottom is sharp and intactas is the buckle,  but the lions faces are losing some detail. I'll give this a GVF

Any thoughts?

By the way, is there a standard notation for grading each side differently? VF/GVF for instance (obverse/reverse)

Thank again in advance for your comments

[harrygill111]

I cant comment on the grade, as this is an area I'm not comfortable with yet, but what stunning pictures! 

[Orpster]

26 minutes ago, harrygill111 said:

I cant comment on the grade, as this is an area I'm not comfortable with yet, but what stunning pictures! 

I agree, you have a real eye for the photography side @DrDave

[DrDave]

14 minutes ago, Orpster said:

I agree, you have a real eye for the photography side @DrDave

Thank you

I wanted to make them easier to see on my screen rather than squinting or using a loupe

[GoldDiggerDave]

For example this is NEF.   Grading is not solely about the wear it's one of the main factors, but things like the fields, lustre, strike, rim nicks and edge bruises, scratches,

I'd go aVF/VF the last pics is a screen shot of yours it looks like the is mechanical cleaning marks between the 1 and 8 in the date but it's only my opinion 

[GoldDiggerDave]

Is that graffiti?

[DrDave]

Thanks @GoldDiggerDave

Very useful info 👍

[Happypanda88]

15 hours ago, DrDave said:

Obverse: The pearls and lace detail is still good, and the hairline is intact. Looks like the earrings have flattened off a bit, so i'm going to be cautious and say that it is VF

Reverse: The George and the dragon on the bottom is sharp and intactas is the buckle,  but the lions faces are losing some detail. I'll give this a GVF

Any thoughts?

I concur with your description and grade.

I am happy to grade your photos too. They are Extremely Fine ! 👍😊

[DrDave]

27 minutes ago, Happypanda88 said:

 

I am happy to grade your photos too. They are Extremely Fine ! 👍😊

Ah! Thank you very muchly 👍

[SidS]

I would concur with your grading also.

[Silverlocks]

The grading looks about right.  On the reverse the telltale on shield designs is the lion's faces.  To hit aboutEF or EF they should be fairly distinct, although they wear very quickly and by and large you won't see them completely intact on anything but uncirculated coins.

[Stuntman]

I missed this thread first time round, but I agree with @GoldDiggerDave's slightly harsher/stricter assessment of grading as AVF/VF as opposed to VF/GVF.  Either way, 1887 halfcrowns are lovely coins and very affordable given that lots of people kept 1887s in high grade.

Here's my own example - a little higher grade perhaps, but I think that a VF coin with good eye appeal is often the sweet spot between quality and value for predecimal coins.