Newfoundland halves (Part 4) Raw VF25 (Me), Mintage - 100,000 PCGS VF30 (VF25), Mintage - 40,000 Raw Fine (Me) Raw VG (Me) I haven't finished the set, but I have quite a few duplicates. I still have to purchase a few Edward VII and George V dates. I never can remember the dates I need, and I tend to be more interested in Vickies. If I found an original-looking Victoria that I liked on eBay and it was reasonably priced according to Coins and Canada, I bought it.
Incredible collection! I have a very nice 1870 example that I got in a bulk lot, and the entire Edward VII / George V run sans 1907 in average circulated condition.
Newfoundland halves Part 5. Not sure where my 1894 is. I have a photo of a 1894, but I'm not sure if the coin is mine. I am more in agreement with ANACS and NGC grading standards for Newfoundland halves than PCGS or ICCS. They seem to be middle of the road and make more sense to me than PCGS (standards too low) and ICCS (standards too high) standards. ICCS VF20 (VF30 details IMO), Mintage - 20,000 - kinda ugly but with good detail for the grade PCGS VF25 (F15 IMO), Mintage - 60,000 PCGS XF40 (same). Mintage - 76,607 1899 Wide 9 PCGS VF25 (F15, IMO), Mintage 150,000
Newfoundland halves, Part 6. 1899 Narrow 9, still raw. VF25, IMO, Mintage - 150,000 PCGS XF40 (agreed) -with a tiny but annoyingly high rim ding between I and A in VICTORIA, Mintage - 150,000 PCGS XF45, Mintage 140,000 PCGS XF45, but too much "black schmutz" (IMO, oftentimes corrosive PVC residue) on the obverse. Mintage - 200,000 Raw, about Fine - a nice circ cameo that Lordmarcovan should like. Mintage - 375,560 PCGS XF45, Mintage - 306,267 I still need to work on acquiring and grading a few George and Edward coins. Also, my really choice dateless Newfoundland half. Purchased for a buck or two over the bullion price at the time for its toning and smooth surfaces free of hits, it can serve as a nice filler for Victoria dates.
I also have lots of duplicates, the best of those that are not graded I store in a nice custom album created by Donahue Numismatics. Down the road, I may try to complete an entire set of Newfoundland coins. The half dollars have been a lot of fun to collect raw off eBay.
