1902 Ed VII Crowns

Hyperion

I know we have rubbed up matte proof crowns out there, were there 1902 circulation strikes of the crowns? If so, what are the diagnostics for telling them apart? (except for the "rubbed up" assessment)

Might be a dumb question...

Hyperion

answer must be yes if this is out there:

http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/Coins/SetScoreDetail.aspx?SetTypeID=1002

SYRACUSIAN

There is no dumb question. Answer is yes.


Here's one I owned for quite a while.





I'll leave the diagnostics of MS vs PR in 1902 to a more experienced member.

Hyperion

I used to have a PR but I really couldn't get over the hairlines, if that sounds dumb, I just picked up an CIRC from the UK because I just love the design....

7Jaguars

Yes, and if you look, coin in hand you can find some "more equal than others". Hand pick and you can find a nice one.
BTW, the TPG grading services are on crack when it comes to grading these so you have to look yourself. A lot of proofs also seem to have garnered fingerprints over the years as well.
The circulated (currency) specimens are not as well struck up and a bit baggy but not hairlined; curse those mint workers who are reputed to have wiped them off on mint aprons - leather? - and seem to have done this on many.
My recommendation again is to hand select a nice proof.

Hyperion

leather?! eep.