This coin has haunted me. I cant seem to find much info on the specimen Churchill 1965 English crown. I have never asked the computer a question and not gotten a good answer to until I asked for auction results of this coin. I am completely stumped on it and when I try to find more info I get more questions than answers. The only info I find is in the KP world coin cat. that lists it at 1650.00 at MS 60 and states "Satin Finish" From what I can tell there are only 2 var. and the only thing I am certain of is I have both. I have exhausted every avenue I can to figure this one out. I am new at this and not so good with the computer but I will supply pics as follows
Welcome to Coin Talk. From what I found with a quick search is that there are only about 14 known in existence. Here is a link that talks a bit about the coins. I am but a novice collector when it comes to UK coinage. Best of luck on your quest. https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mycoinfacts/1965-crown-s-4144-churchill-v-p/785956/0
Thanks for the link! I have five of these that I acquired at a garage sale about 15 years ago, and I've never been able to tell which they are. Sadly, I don't see any die polishing lines on mine. C'est la vie! Chris
Seriously? I've always thought that's one of the most creative and compelling portraits I've ever seen on a coin. I applaud the designer for resisting more obvious and mundane solutions. Like they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Here are some images of my coins both var. and some comparison shots So can anyone confirm that there are just the two var. And if I am absolutely certain that I have both that it would be reasonable that 1 would be the specimen and 1 would be the business strike I have a pic of both showing unfortunately the only test I can't do is a silver test as the coin I believe to be the specimen has already been slabbed and graded but in comparison the slabbed coin has a satin finish more so than the other. In addition the hole in the R of Churchill matches to the specimen I really could use some input from anyone who knows this coin. I would be ever so grateful thanks
Neither are the specimen matte type. The PCGS citation above shows one that I would accept. The specimen matte varieties are with and without "ON" designer initials at bust. The business/currency strikes are bog standard until the MS 65 slabbed grade is reached; the specimen mattes which are much superior in presentation are both quite scarce to really rare. I for one really like the realistic design and never expected Churchill's bust to compete with a sexy Liberty or Britannia design on looks alone.
Oh! And 1 more thing I discovered that lining the R up with the reed edge shows a difference in the 2 coins as well I wanted to thank you lawtoad for the link you sent me earlier every little piece of information I can get Thank you 7jags but you stated in your post quote. "The PCGS citation above shows one that I would accept"
What I am saying is that the coin in the PCGS citation IS a specimen matte unc. coin - the special and rare issue. There may be some minor types of the currency but it is common. IMO, I would look for a PCGS or NGC slabbed MS65 or 66 - if you can find it.
7jags I didn't quite follow your statement The PCGS citation above is one you would accept. If you were referring to the pics above the slabbed coin in image 5 is my coin in question
What I am saying is the coin the comes up when checking the PCGS registry (Lawtoad above in this post) is a specimen matte. Yours, sadly, I believe is not - I will admit that your picture number 5 is not of the best quality but feel comfortable in making that judgement.
Here are two obverse pictures, one of a currency/business strike crown, the second of a specimen matte currency. And sorry about the quality of the second -I'll see if I can find another specimen picture...
FWIW I am a big fan of these coins. They're nice, big and chunky. They seem common until you hit gem. As a matter of fact a sealed mint bag of em sold recently for about $1 per coin. https://www.ebay.com/itm/LOT-200-CHURCHILL-CROWNS-GREAT-BRITAIN-ORIGINAL-SEALED-MINT-BAG-1965-UNC-BU-/264336092548?hash=item3d8ba8ad84%3Ag%3AXwoAAOSwJyxc0kdW&nma=true&si=kUY7aWurOKaRMFT0uRSwgDkOvQ8%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557