1887 Victoria Double Florin - Proof or Not

[Alex]

Bought this beauty few months back but I`m still not sure if it`s a proof or not.Any help please?

[Elements]

Does this thread help? http://www.predecimal.com/forum/topic/6023-1887-double-florin-proofs/

I know nothing a about these but had a really quick read, a clue is in the date from what I gather where a Roman or Arabic numeral 1 is in place of the normal 1......I think!

[KevjustKev]

Think the only 'real' or at least recognized way to tell, is to get it graded. If it's proof great if not still it's very nice MS coin.

[sovereignsteve]

Lovely coin but I'm not convinced it's proof.

[Alex]

4 hours ago, sovereignsteve said:

Lovely coin but I'm not convinced it's proof.

Very similar with this PCGS graded one.The Queen looks ''frozen'',definitely different to the lower fields of the coin.

[sovereignsteve]

2 hours ago, Alex said:

Very similar with this PCGS graded one.The Queen looks ''frozen'',definitely different to the lower fields of the coin.

Yes, as the linked thread says, there's a lot of confusion about these "proofs". The ones I've seen have definitely had more of a mirror field, even allowing for some toning.

@shortstack68 may have more of an idea.

[Alex]

23 minutes ago, sovereignsteve said:

Yes, as the linked thread says, there's a lot of confusion about these "proofs". The ones I've seen have definitely had more of a mirror field, even allowing for some toning.

@shortstack68 may have more of an idea.

Mine does have mirror like fields and the 'frozen' Queen.

''There are simply far too many prooflike currency pieces - or at least, UNC examples with highly mirrored fields but with the raised design not mirrored - to be explained by polished blanks.

I believe it is more likely that the proof dies were used on normal blanks once the proof strikings were complete, as there would have been plenty of life left in them. Even with a single strike rather than double, this would have produced coins with a prooflike finish, but without the sharp rims that the specially prepared blanks would have had.''

Seems plausible.

[Alex]

7 hours ago, shortstack68 said:

Most proofs will have thick rims compared to currency coins of the same denomination, proof like comes from being early struck from new dies. Here is my 1887 currency Florin but has proof like qualities, at a guess i'd also say yours isn't a proof, also not sure what is meant by "frozen queen" perhaps you mean frosted queen?

Yes,sorry,frosted Queen .Please have a look at these double florins graded Proof`s by London Coins

http://www.londoncoins.co.uk/?page=Pastresults&searchterm=Double+Florin+1887&category=9&searchtype=1

Some have thick rims some don`t