Top End Coins – June Newsletter
Intro
As always, I like to start with the big picture view. Given that numismatics is firmly fixed in economic and monetary history, not only can we look back and understand but some of us actually pull our heads out of the sand and attempt to understand future possibilities! And yes, Random Walk Theory is BS. What does this chart say to you – up or down? In my view, the easiest path is down – this is AUD against USD.
Price Protection – for Gold!
With weakening G20 currencies against USD, which remains the world’s global reserve currency, a $3000 AUD oz price will be sticky thanks to forex. Once global investors realise that the Kabuki Theatre of raised US national debt ceilings are over and an interest payment default is likely, then watch gold go for gangbusters in all currencies. That will of course be little consolation as all prices will be heavily out of kilter. Having said that, gold will serve as a better store of value to whatever (long overdue) currency and trade agreement is agreed or not agreed to on the global stage. TEC has a few sub-$900 coins still available for sale. Click on the link below or browse PCGS graded sovereigns.
Pre-Decimal Errors are the Scarcest of all
I consider myself lucky to have avoided the $2 collectors game. The ridiculous amount of consumer cash flooding modern decimal coinage is admittedly destroying future consumer capacity in collecting, but such hyper-focus has permitted this author to learn about pre-decimal errors without losing everything including the shirt on my back.
Purchasing a few fake Centenary florins from cast dies for $20 a pop assisted in observing similar bubbling on the 1945 double struck penny above right, purchased on Ebay. Likely a cast manufactured die out of China. You know what else assisted in determining the fraudulent origins of that penny?
Verdi-Chem did. Verdi-Chem doesn’t clean per se, but you can use it with a soft brush (I use a pig hair painting brush), a toothpick to get between denticles and around lettering and make up removal pads and cotton buds for the rest to remove the vast majority of grime and dirt. Any coin that has been previously interfered with will reveal itself once you’ve restored the surfaces with Verdi-Chem! That is the case with the following coin purchased on Ebay. Note the sharp rim strike and thin film interference (aka colour toning) developing along that second rim. All well and good on a nicely preserved UNC grade penny, but definitely not kosher on a worn, war time penny.
So among all the BS, it is nice to be able to present a few select errors in store that aren’t “Ebay Specials”. They are among the hardest type of pre-decimal coin to collect, especially in UNC grade. If you wish to play it safe and purchase but one example of an error, TEC has this striking wartime penny from Perth available. It has been authenticated and graded by PCGS. Click on the link below. A less exotic, but equally striking error can be found here: https://topendcoins.com.au/product/australia-1950p-penny-off-centre-strike-unc/
Education is Free
Finally, I share willingly places that provide meaningful education on social media (because it is so rare). You’ll find my personal account interacting with Ken Potter, who’s FB page is a compendium of error numismatics. https://www.facebook.com/groups/517126888733698.
The 1962 double die obverse penny is on my to-do list of research. Mike Diamond is going with a double die only, but the various arrangements of detail suggest the possibility of a triple die. TEC has but a single coin to offer at this time. See below.
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