Seeking honest opinions on this Straits Settlements Victoria 50c

lordmarcovan · February 4, 2011 10:24AM

I need one of these for my daughter's 1901 Victorian collection. They're a pretty scarce coin (only 120K minted), and while searching for them in the past, I've come across little but Chinese replicas and fakes. Precisely for that reason I thought I should ask what y'all think of this one before I make an offer.

I see nothing that concerns me majorly- it looks real enough to me- but I wonder about the end portion of the crown (just to left of Victoria's hair bun) being missing- it almost looks like it wore off because it bulged upward. Granted, that could be the high point on the obverse design of this type of coin, but see how it looks a little bulgy? Is this normal? The color seems a little strange until one stops to consider that these were .800 silver, not .900 or .925. I've seen plenty of "German silver" (.800) with this sort of color before.

Does the coin look OK to you in terms of authenticity? How about in overall terms? Yes, it has some circulation and will not be as beautiful as an MS64 example, I realize. But I probably couldn't afford an MS64 example. And I'd be far more leery of an MS example potentially being a fake. Should I make an offer on this piece? If so, what ballpark range should that offer be in? The 2009 KM catalog values are: $52.00 F, 80.00 VF, 350.00 XF, 1,500.00 UNC.

PS- a big thanks to nicholasz219 who brought this and a few other coins to my attention.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS 50 CENTS 1901 SILVER - SCARCE

ajaan · February 4, 2011 12:07PM

I no like. Might have been bent at one time.

Lancastercoin · February 4, 2011 1:08PM

Kinda funky, more likely from alteration or old damage than outright fake though. An old bend does seem reasonable, since usually the "50" is gone on pieces this worn.

olmanjon · February 5, 2011 1:20AM

Quite worn. One would think that with a coin this old and worn there would be more rim dings and scratches on it. Just something to think about.
Olmanjon

I see what you mean about the 50 , Lancaster. I agree. Seems like it should be worn as much as the coin is on both sides of it. Looking at the picture in Krause the crown disappears into the bunn, so I think this one is ok by that.
John

lordmarcovan · February 7, 2011 12:04AM

Anybody else?

This is a tough coin, and it might be a while before I see another piece offered that is within my pricerange. I was thinking of making an offer on it despite the fact that it's not exactly ideal looking.

Then again, with what the seller's initial asking price is, I dunno if we'd ever come to an agreement over it.

questor54 · February 7, 2011 3:25AM

The rest of your set has much more eye appeal.

pendragon1998 · February 7, 2011 7:48AM

Rob,

If it was me, I'd hold out longer for something with more eye appeal. You used the word "despite" which is perilously close to a "but coin" - a coin that you like/want "but" there's something holding you back. I've learned that when that's the case, you'll never be completely happy with the coin. I think this is a "but" coin for you.

But you don't have to take my word for it!

lordmarcovan · February 7, 2011 9:36AM

No, no, this is good. I asked for honest opinions. Point well taken about it being a "but" coin.

Seeking honest opinions on this Straits Settlements Victoria 50c

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