Whoa Nelly this is a Pretty (Half)Penny!

airplanenut

PCGS MS66RD



Big Obverse



Big Reverse

IloiloKano

Absolutely!

7Jaguars

Very nice coin as well. The only thing that concerns me (and not mnuch at that) is the color. I think the red may not be fully original and reminds me to some extent, though not exactly, of many Indian cents in the US series.

However, lovely coin and many kudos to the owner!

ajaan

<< <i>The only thing that concerns me (and not mnuch at that) is the color. I think the red may not be fully original and reminds me to some extent, though not exactly, of many Indian cents in the US series. >>


I think the red is original. Whether it is 100% Red is another question. I wonder how long ago it was graded. Could it have turned a little while in the holder? Also, eventhough Jeremy takes excellent images, images don't always give a true indication of the color. I'm thinking it is more brilliant in person. If I win the coin I'll let you know.

The only thing that concerns me is the spot under Britannia's right elbow. But, it still is a fantastic coin which I wouldn't mind owning. I have always liked that design eventhough it has crazy George on the obverse.

MacCrimmon

Jeremy, here's that PCGS MS64RD which transformed to the NGC MS65RD. Very early image, and compressed to boot, but very much closer to the blazing orange/red shown in your image.

RareBronzeCollector

Both Stunning coins..........

7Jaguars

Yes, I would stand by the first coin NOT being original colouring and have forwarded it to several experts who are also in agreement. Still a nice coin, but NOT original colour.

Interesting that there was an article in Coin World as I recall that mainly referred to silver coins of the 19th C. and that so very few would be essetially untoned. Copper would be the same but even more environmental reactivity. The darker and sometimes slightly purple tinged colour is sign of cleaning and ever so slight retoning.

Cleaning can either be with solvents, but generally either electrolytic reduction or chemical strip of the copper oxidants on the surface layers. Weimer White covered some of these details in his Coin Chemistry book (can't remember the exact title)...

coinkat

I think it is attractive... worthy of a 66 grade. I will just reserve judgment on color. While I think it is likely original and red, I think it needs to be seen to be appreciated.

MacCrimmon

As to whether the colour is original or not; ever seen the Boulton and Watt family coins from SOHO? Are you saying that these "experts" would conclude that Jerry Bobbe's cherry red collection of mint state Conders were not original. Many, many of these coins and medals from the SOHO era were indeed carefully preserved in brass shells and the like by people who were collectors first and foremost.

Remember also, this is a hoard date, and as such they may have rested in the very same private or bank vault, undisturbed, for over 180 years. Oh yeah, if the coin were a "pumpkin", I'm sure that PCGS would have bagged it.

Hussulo

"Oh yeah, if the coin were a "pumpkin", I'm sure that PCGS would have bagged it. "
Hmmmm I guess sometimes even PCGS can make mistakes.
Check this link to the U.S. forum Questionable Toning - upgraded to PCGS MS 69
Though I'm not saying the colour on the 1/2 Penny isn't original (hard to tell from the pictures). It is a very nice coin nonetheless.

7Jaguars

Hi Mac, haven't asked about the Conders (nor have seen them myself), but have heard of them. Preservation of some pieces are rather better than others. Still the colour on this one is wrong, though the coin is attractive.

The key on preservation is that there are always some "outliers" that are essentially preservation freaks but chemistry, heat, humidity and oxidants over time are relentless with copper being particularly prone to oxidation. Also I would say that what held for one coin or coins is not necessarily appicable to others.