1844 Half Farthing. Odds that it's AT'd at PCGS???

canadacolornut

I have trouble passing up nicely toned coins like this one; no matter the series or the country.

And this one actually "fits" into my collecting goals.

I bought it raw, as "UNC" from what appears to be a reliable dealer with a high all positive feedback.

The price was right; very low actually, if the coin is indeed uncirculated and the toning is natural.

I'm thinking that it's both. But many of you here have seen a lot more British material than I'm ever
likely to so I'd appreciate any opinions.

As usual, poor focus on part of the coin due to my tilting it to best bring out the color...

Hussulo

I really like it.

Colour wise I think you have a 70-30 chance in your favour. IMHO I think PCGS is a bit tighter with coloured coins but yours should be okay.

I think it might grade PCGS MS63 BN. Nice reverse only a very slight rub on the thistle, although you have to remember these coins are small so that will hardly be noticeable in hand. Put it down to cabinet friction. The obverse is also nice but the hair above the ear is slightly flat.

Here is my PCGS MS64 RB for comparison.

SwK

Hus now i know were u r all the time

u keep bringing out choice pieces

j

Hussulo

Thanks Jeff. I am trying to build a complete set of fractional farthing. My 1/3 farthing set is complete (see link in my signature) so I am now concentrating on 1/4 and 1/2 farthings.

The only thing that concerned me about this coin when I first saw it was the fingerprint but since it isn't a highly expensive coin and it is in high grade I didn't let it put me off.

In a way its quite cool because it's part of the history of the coin. I know we will never know who's print it is but it would be nice to think it belongs to someone in the mid 1800's. Perhaps they have since passed away but there fingerprint remains.

WWW

I like it very much and the color looks real to me. I will happily take it off your hands if PCGS bags it.

OchoReales

I like it!

Edited to add; Stop it guys, you're making me develop a yearning for Brit material!

RobP

<< <i>I like it!

Edited to add; Stop it guys, you're making me develop a yearning for Brit material! >>


Please don't get too carried away, there's not enough to go round the existing collectors. I recommend you collect post-1970 British decimals - lots there for everyone and more.

wybrit

To answer the original question, I'd say you have less than 40% chance of getting that in a PCGS slab. They've been really tough on "questionable color" of late.

Nice piece, though.

coinkat

I like the obverse - the reverse raises some questions but that could be the lighting

canadacolornut

Thanks for all the comments folks.

I reluctantly agree with Wybrit that the coin will probably be body bagged and this is indeed a shame since
I'm about 95% sure the toning is original.

I've seen dozens of the obviously AT coins on Teletrade and other auctions and most are so easy to spot
you wonder why they were even submitted.

But anyone who has seen the kind of natural toning copper will take on over the years would, I think,
agree that this coin hasn't been doctored. Just look at the toning patterns and fading in and out
in areas of the coin ; have no idea how the toning wizards would pull that off, or why, in a coin of
this cost.

Realizing that nicely toned coins command a premium it's pretty sad that collectors see some wonderful
naturally toned coins end up in body bags because PCGS can't seem to put together any kind of "grading
set" for coins that are obviously and naturally toned.

God knows they've seen enough of both kinds and have access to enough examples to be able to do that...

coinpictures

I love it! but then again I'm partial to both toners and fractional farthings.

The coin below is in a PCGS holder. When I posted pictures of it over on the British coin forum a couple of years ago I got yelled at about how it was obviously AT because "real copper does not tone colorfully."

Needless to say, my stay there was a short one.

SYRACUSIAN

The minute I saw the OP's coin, I thought of coinpictures' example. An eternal optimist, I believe that it will grade nicely at PCGS, and if it doesn't I offer $5 more than WWW to buy it in a nice and cheap Genuine holder.


Hus, yours is a very pretty one too, and the fingerprint reminds us all what a real British red coin looks like after a dealer has handled it for a while.

RobP

<< <i>The minute I saw the OP's coin, I thought of coinpictures' example. An eternal optimist, I believe that it will grade nicely at PCGS, and if it doesn't I offer $5 more than WWW to buy it in a nice and cheap Genuine holder.


Hus, yours is a very pretty one too, and the fingerprint reminds us all what a real British red coin looks like after a dealer has handled it for a while. >>



Hus got it from me. I got it from the US as part of a job lot.