mary queen of scots

I have in my collection a Mary silver 1561 testoon, I have attached some photos of it. I would apreciated any information regarding its current price and how many of them are there?
Many thanks
Ashley

 

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I don't know what the value is but it appears to be in good condition.If I owned it and was sure it was authentic,and yours appears to be,I wouldn't sell it for less than $300-400.I could be off on this but these are difficult coins to find.I don't own one.
Meanwhile,here is an interesting previous thread on the subject.
http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=4823

 

The more I look at your photo,the more I'm inclined to agree with Doug.I didn't mention that I have a pewter reproduction of a Mary Queen of Scots coin that could easily fool an inexperienced collector.Here it is.Note the Manufacturer's PRL initials next to the crown.
and then the real thing....

 

Thanks guys for your comments, what makes you think it may be a fake?
Thanks
Ashley

 

Ashley,
We're not saying it's a fake for sure it's just that this is a very scarce series of coins and the one you picture is almost too good to be true.Now what I would do is to determine if it is silver or some other base metal like pewter.The best way I know to do this easily is to GENTLY let it drop onto a hard surface and listen for the tinkle of silver as opposed to the "thunk" of cheap metal.It's almost unmistakable.
Second,how did you come across this coin?Did it come from a reputable dealer,a friend,ebay...and what did you pay for it?
I hope your coin IS for real.I've been looking for a real one for several years with no luck and it would do my heart good to see someone get a nice one.
If our Scots friend Ian happens along,I'm pretty sure he can help you out in authenticating it.Shouldn't be more than a day or two...IAN?????

 

I have done the dropping it test and to my ears its a tinkle. The guy I bought it from said that he previously bought it from Spink. I have asked him for further proof. I will send it to Spink to have confirmation of this. If it was a fake, by who and when was it likely to have been made? If its gen (fingers crossed) how uncommon is it?

Cheers
Ashley

 

The guy has the recipt from Spink so it does seem to be a gen coin.

Ashley

 

Why does the image of coin have the eBay hosting watermark on it? Was this a purchase from eBay.com? I am suspicious of all "rare" coins on eBay and Molotok.ru. There are many examples of "rare" coins from Russia, China, USA and even Britain which are manufactured by "craftsman" of artistry in China.

 

Wow

This opens the eye !

Be well
Floyd

 

I have attached a copy, well at least a part of it, of the recipt from Spink. Yes I did buy it on e-bay, perhaps a foolish thing to do. It would appear to be the real thing.

Ashley

 

heres the attachment

 

Learn here !

I came here to learn and found a lot of those willing to help. If you have been harmed, it will not happen again if you follow the masters voices. The saving could very well be in what you do not spend. I do not know many here but if your half serious, they look out for their own.

Be well
Floyd

 

Ashley,
In all probability,if that receipt is genuine,so is your coin.I would certainly contact Spink and ask if this handwritten note is standard operating procedure for them when selling a coin,possibly emailing them the photo of it INCLUDING the invoice number which is covered in the photo.If that checks out,congratulations!
http://www.spink.com/about_spink/location_contact.asp use the info@spink.com

 

Thanks guys, I have e-mailed Spink with photos of the coin and recipt so hopefully they will be able to prove it one way or the other. I am on vacation for 3 weeks now so I will let you know the outcome in mid August.

Cheers
Ashley

 

Looking forward to the results,hopefully good ones.Have a great vacation!

 

There are many museum class `replicas' out there. Nigh on impossible to tell them apart from the genuine with only a crappy photo to go by.

The obverse looks pretty much as Doug has already said. The reverse is however much better, causing me some hesitation in saying outright that it is a replica coin.

I'd want to weigh it as well as get a measurement of its diameter and thickness to make sure it measures up to the genuine.

It would have been helpful to know when it was bought on ebay and how much for. If it sold for what a genuine one sold for, then it would give an indication of whether any knowledgeable bidders were involved....or whether they stayed away for good reason

A genuine Mary portrait teston in VG condition these days would set you back the better part of £1,000 / £1,500 .....if not more. The market is a keen one. So, you'll have to strike it REALLY lucky or you'll have to up the anti considerably if you want the real McCoy Mikjo (and I wouldn't be buying the one on display in this thread without a bit more provenance!).

Ian