I have owned a low grade sixpence of Queen Elizabeth I for decades (bottom coin). I'm not sure why I found it appealing so long ago and still do. I even loaned it out twice to brides looking for a sixpence for their shoe. The coin show Friday brought my way a less worn but damaged coin (top) which some might or might not consider an upgrade. It is, in fact, a completely different coin far beyond the four year difference in their dates. As a collector of ancient/medieval coins I often tell people that I do not collect machine made coins but this coin makes me a liar. It was the product of a horse powered press tested and rejected during the reign of Elizabeth. The mint went back, for just a few years, to the crude but faster hammered coin method leaving these 'milled' coins as part of the history of numismatics.
Wow, really like the top one. Damaged or not its really nice. I happen to forgive most damage on those kind of pieces. Holes or clipped are about the only no no's. Ive actually been looking at getting one after some other coins are bought. Maybe by years end...
