Colonial British Experts: Mid 19th India Proofs?

nicholasz219

Hi all!

I was clicking like mad yesterday on Ebay when I noticed several similar auctions grouped together offering Proof Indian coins from the mid to late 19th century. They sure looked beautiful, but with my seriously outdated Krause and little knowledge about Indian proofs from that era (or any other for that matter), I was leery of spending about $100 per coin.

If anyone could take a look at these auctions and let me know if I missed a phenomenal bargain, saved myself a bunch of money or should have sold my kidney, please let me know.

I was very tempted and have only the god of nearly empty checking account to thank for not purchasing one or all of these coins.

Thanks,

Nick

Proof One

Proof Two



Proof Three



Proof Four

Proof Five

Proof Six

MacCrimmon

It's really impossible to tell from those images if they are original proofs, early restrikes, or later restrikes. The restrikes will usually have evidence of die rust in the fields and devices, and considerable die polishing in the fields to remove same. Almost all of the Pittman coins of this type were restrikes.

Check the Northeast website, as I believe they had several Regal India proofs a few weeks ago. Either request images or view them if they are already posted. Value? Outside of original proofs (certified only), I would be leery. Maybe Civitas or Aki will happen along with some market insight.

nicholasz219

Thanks Mac.

I was really tempted even though I wasn't certain of their authenticity. The images were pretty stunning when I first laid eyes upon them and the temptation of some nice proof Vickies was pretty strong. (Very jealous of the Victorian era coinage I see on display here, I admit.)

Luckily it seems I was able to resist the temptation. I will look at Northeast and see what they have to offer by comparison, but am still very open to anything and everything any Darksider has to offer in terms of opinion and experience.

Nick