A Hong-Kong coin, 50 cent 1893
YQQ
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Yesterday a former neighbor, a older lady of 87, called me up and wanted to sell "the 2 old Tobacco tins" containing old coins her husband had collected since he was young”. So off I went to see her. Might be finally something interesting.
There were 98 coins in one tin, mostly Canadian old Large cents from 1858 to 1920. that in itself was exciting. The key date,1858 is a very good VF. Several 1859s are some nice varieties and the rest most other Large cent dates. Some are US coins, pennies, some and nickels. and some mish mash across the world stuff.
The other tin was all silver coins, mostly Canadian, all sort of types and denominations from silver nickels to silver dollars, a few US silver dollars and European silvers and a Honkong 1893 50 cent piece. I had never seen one before. The most recent and youngest coin was a Canadian 1948 50 cent piece in about F15. Nothing to seriously "write home" about it. This indicated to me that in or about 1948- 1949, the accumulation of coins had stopped for whatever reason.
So I used my tablet and asked FEEbay about the HKG coin. A few popped up for sale from across the globe, asking anywhere from $300 to over 1K respective of grade.
We all know that anyone can ask anything. Getting it is proof of worth (or having found a dummy)
I told the lady that I know about all the other coins and what I would pay for them, but with the HKG coin I would have to guess. She agreed and we made a deal for the whole stash. She was extremely happy with my offer and I went home questioning my wisdom. Did I over pay because of the HKG 50 Cent??
I am asking you experts to please help out if you can:
1 what grade would you assess to this coin and would you send it
to a TPG for grading and which TPG? (I am in Canada)
2 what is the coin worth approximately as is
3 How easy would it be to find a buyer without using Feebay?
4 And, judging by the images, is this coin authentic or a fake?
Personally I believe it is authentic. It is too old to be part of the PRoC influx and does not have any typical markers.
And it was in that tin box for about 60-some years. The lady told me the tin was in their bedroom closet from the day they got married in 1952, Over 60 years ago. Apparently her husband said at that time: “this is for a rainy day”. He past last summer at 91. And since that she said, the two tins were looking at her every day, as she had taken them from the closet and placed them on a small table in their Study.
Thank you all for your input.
Comments
I can't seems to find any info for 1895 HK 50C.
It is an 1893 and keep in mind that the mintage figures are low and the surviving population is difficult to gage. Seems this one is sort of a challenge to grade as it almost looks to have been wiped. I see it as a VF 35 on the Sheldon scale. A decent coin with significant demand. I would hold onto this one.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
VF might be a bit of a stretch plus it is not very attractive. Genuine for sure, JMO.
I would acetone that coin and see if the dirt will come off the face. I see a potential for a very attractive coin which may go XF!
I think it's a VF and looks original. I like it. I also agree an acetone bath wouldn't hurt at all.
Good pick up!
My YouTube Channel
What a bit of Acetone can do to some dirt. took all but 5 minutes
Thanks for the suggestion.
Now, since I do not collect HKG or China (been there quit a few times), I have decided to list it later in BST section for a while.
Thanks again for all your comments
here is the "new" coin after a bath.
That coin looks much better! I now agree it's a nice VF though!
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Much better...when I first saw this I didn't want to respond, didn't know what to make of it. I guess Fine if grading the bust as we would for Canadian .
WOW! Sell me all the Canadian Victorians you have that look like that as a Fine for Fine money!
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The detail in the Victorian HK coinage is just not as strong as Canada. In looking at the after image, I think I was too optimistic... 20-25 seems about as good as this gets
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
I think a couple of you guys should reread Charlton's grading descriptions. I don't think even on a bad day ICCS would grade this coin F!
That coins is really cool! I love the look of it. On world coins, if I need a quick reference I often pull up the ngc coin world price guide. There's probably something better, but anything beats carrying around the giant Krause telephone books lol
Thank you fellows for all your nice comments and guesses on grade. I am sure you guys know more about grading Chinese / HKG coinage than I do.
Personally, after it's acetone treatment, and based on Canadian grading , I would place the coin at a very solid F12 and on a good day at F 15.
However, If I send it to ICCS in Toronto, and Brian has a very good day, it might even make VF 20 including "gradeslip".
Now, I think the "old problem" would come into play when sending it to Anacs , NGC or even our host.
I am convinced It would be a VF 20 and probably end at VF 30.
But , as we always say, anything is possible and grading is very subjective.
BIG question here: why is there not a uniform grading system based on a norm, like for example the size and threat of bolts? There would be a lot less buyer / seller grading arguments and opinions.
Besides the Feebay indications , I am wondering what realistic pricing levels are for this type of HKG coins?
amwld,
"WOW! Sell me all the Canadian Victorians you have that look like that as a Fine for Fine money!"
Maybe some of them, others are just a bit more. But some in F can be a few hundred....