Obverse Test - Which One is It???
Obverse Test - Which One is It???
Here's a test for the 5c collectors. Below are images of two different 5c Victorian coins. The images are of uncirculated coins to make ID'ing them easier. Worn coins of course present a much bigger challenge. Your test: Determine if one or two different obverses present, and which one(s) is it. Let us know your thoughts on this, and how you arrived at them.
"These are tough to distinguish"
You are right - these are tough to distinguish. Very tough.
"and I may be 100% wrong"
Nope. You are actually 100% right! Congradulations!!!! Well done.
The first (or top) obverse comes from (if I remember right) a 1900 dated 5c coin, and the second (or bottom) obverse comes from an 1858 dated 5c coins. dave62 was correct in noting that it is a wide rim variety, which also appeared in 1870. The obverse of an 1858 5c coin was chosen since there could be no mistake that it is an obverse 1. The obverse of a 1900 5c coin was chosen since all the coins in that year (plus nearby years) are all obverse 2.
If you look closely at the top of the head where the hairline meets the forehead, the Obverse 1 has a lower hairline compared to the Obverse 1. But this marker is good for only EF40 and above coins; possibly as low as VF30. Once it wears off, which is easy to do, it no longer is a factor.
I have to wonder though: if all it takes to define a unique obverse are such subtle differences, then would not the tiny lock of hair that sticks out at the back of the head (about midway between the neck and the bun) - present on some coins but missing on others - also be enough to defines a unique obverse? Any thoughts on this?
You are right - these are tough to distinguish. Very tough.
"and I may be 100% wrong"
Nope. You are actually 100% right! Congradulations!!!! Well done.
The first (or top) obverse comes from (if I remember right) a 1900 dated 5c coin, and the second (or bottom) obverse comes from an 1858 dated 5c coins. dave62 was correct in noting that it is a wide rim variety, which also appeared in 1870. The obverse of an 1858 5c coin was chosen since there could be no mistake that it is an obverse 1. The obverse of a 1900 5c coin was chosen since all the coins in that year (plus nearby years) are all obverse 2.
If you look closely at the top of the head where the hairline meets the forehead, the Obverse 1 has a lower hairline compared to the Obverse 1. But this marker is good for only EF40 and above coins; possibly as low as VF30. Once it wears off, which is easy to do, it no longer is a factor.
I have to wonder though: if all it takes to define a unique obverse are such subtle differences, then would not the tiny lock of hair that sticks out at the back of the head (about midway between the neck and the bun) - present on some coins but missing on others - also be enough to defines a unique obverse? Any thoughts on this?
- Adrenalyne
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:52 pm
I can see 3 points of interest.
The first is the tip of the nose, on the first picture the nose is more rounded, on the second picture it seems more pointed.
The second point is the junction of the chin and throat. The first figure is like a rounded junction and the second figure, the junction is more pronounced.
Finally, we can take a look on the bust, at the left tip. On the first photo, the tip is rounded and the second it's pointed.
Those are my comments.
The first is the tip of the nose, on the first picture the nose is more rounded, on the second picture it seems more pointed.
The second point is the junction of the chin and throat. The first figure is like a rounded junction and the second figure, the junction is more pronounced.
Finally, we can take a look on the bust, at the left tip. On the first photo, the tip is rounded and the second it's pointed.
Those are my comments.