1890 Melbourne Sovereign - Proof or proof like?

[Booky586]

Here's a coin that I've just got round to photographing. It's got a few circulation marks but it has the appearance of a proof coin. The fields are flat and reflective while the details look like they've been frosted. I understand that the proof version of this coin is very rare and I appreciate that this is unlikely to be a true proof but why does it appear to be one?

Or is it just Proof like?

And if so why do we get proof like coins? Is it possible that the dies for a proof could have been re-purposed for bullion use, but with a weaker strike force applied? Or is it the product of one of the first strikes from a brand new (in 1890!) bullion die?

Any ideas or thoughts?

Edited August 13, 2022 by Booky586

[Orpster]

1890M proof is an R7, 1-2 known examples, so statistically unlikely, probably just proof-like, a very early strike.  But you never know!

[dicker]

I am fairly sure this is not a proof*.

But it is a very nice coin.

Best

Dicker
 

* @LawrenceChard (my elder and better may well correct me!)

 

[Britannia47]

Most of the jubilee heads seem to have shiny fields - gold and silver, which may give you the ’proof’ impression. Nothing more to add as I can’t find it in my Marsh!  Nice photos though, - Who needs Chards?!! 😏

Edited August 16, 2022 by Britannia47

[GoldDiggerDave]

@Booky586 it’s a nice coin right off the bat.  You can get bullion coins described as proof like, or with proof like fields.

It’s reasonable to say this has proof like fields, the photographs are good but I don’t know if they are flattering the strike, it would be good to see a neutral photo.

it’s a very nice coin and I would be more than happy to have this in my collection. 

The B in J.E.B is very interesting.

I’ll have a look to see if this a variant/error 

 

[GoldDiggerDave]

DISH M14, Marsh 134, Spink 3867B.

no recorded mention of a B/? In J.E.B 

it would be great if we could get closer picture of that mate.  
 

you always seem to pick interesting coins 👍

 

[Booky586]

5 minutes ago, GoldDiggerDave said:

DISH M14, Marsh 134, Spink 3867B.

no recorded mention of a B/? In J.E.B 

it would be great if we could get closer picture of that mate.  
 

you always seem to pick interesting coins 👍

 

Not quite sure what you mean by B/? In J.E.B but here's the highest resolution I can get:

[GoldDiggerDave]

1 minute ago, Booky586 said:

Not quite sure what you mean by B/? In J.E.B but here's the highest resolution I can get:

The B look like it’s stuck over another letter, it’s got what looks to be a straight line though the centre. @dicker likes this sort of stuff. 

[Booky586]

5 minutes ago, GoldDiggerDave said:

The B look like it’s stuck over another letter, it’s got what looks to be a straight line though the centre. @dicker likes this sort of stuff. 

Ah, I see where you're coming from. Just had a look under a loupe and the B looks flat on the high points, it might have just taken a knock and is disfigured?

[dicker]

17 minutes ago, Booky586 said:

Ah, I see where you're coming from. Just had a look under a loupe and the B looks flat on the high points, it might have just taken a knock and is disfigured?

Possibly but it is in a pretty protected area and there is no other damage

[GoldDiggerDave]

31 minutes ago, Booky586 said:

Ah, I see where you're coming from. Just had a look under a loupe and the B looks flat on the high points, it might have just taken a knock and is disfigured?

It defo looks like a B over something also there is 2 MSPL 1890M in the NGC population 

[Booky586]

It would be useful to compare the J.E.B. with an original proof version, you never know, it could make a match! 😀

[dicker]

@Booky586

Fantastic photography by the way!

[GoldDiggerDave]

This is my proof like young head 

[dicker]

It bears a resemblance to the S used on Sydney sovereigns.  

[Booky586]

6 minutes ago, GoldDiggerDave said:

It defo looks like a B over something also there is 2 MSPL 1890M in the NGC population 

That's really usefully info. I'll go and have a look and see if pcgs has a comparable variety too, thanks.

[LawrenceChard]

3 hours ago, dicker said:

I am fairly sure this is not a proof*.

But it is a very nice coin.

Best

Dicker
 

* @LawrenceChard (my elder and better may well correct me!)

 

I agree with you. Possibly early strike, and does look prooflike,

😎