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 Replies: 40 / Views: 8,009 |
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New Member
Australia
6 Posts |
Hello, I have recently been given a few books of coins by a family friend which included some Australian predecimal Florins. I am unfamiliar with any Australian predecimal coins so I have been Googling away & have found it all quite fascinating. I have come to find that the Florins I have been given are all commemorative coins ie Opening of parliament house, Queens visit to Australia & the Australian commemorative Florin. Finding that I am missing one to complete a set of all four commemorative Florins, I began looking into purchasing a Melbourne Centenary Florin. After doing some reading into these, I came to know that there are fakes out in the market. Now this makes things rather difficult for me. This is where I am hoping a few of the experts on this forum may be able to help out a poor guy like me who finds himself in unfamiliar territory. There are a couple being sold on ebay at the moment, if someone could please have a quick look & give me some advice it'd be very much appreciated. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1934-19...372641288339https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1934-35...133007273737 |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
580 Posts |
The first one has been badly cleaned and I would definitely not recommend it.
Keep in mind that some sellers clean fakes abrasively to hide the fact that they are fake.
The second is average and looks OK but its a bit hard to tell with the photo.
Its difficult to ID a fake centenary sometimes so best bet with is to buy a PCGS graded coin.
The price difference is not that big and you will get a real one.
Watch your top knot
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21593 Posts |
I agree with echidna, If you are new to Australian coins, and are considering a Melbourne Centenary Florin, but don't know how to spot a good fake, better to buy slabbed, if going via ebay. I must admit: I cannot pick a very good fake MCF from screen pictures alone, with sufficient certainty. The other problem, sadly, is that there some very deceiving fake slabs out there, and the coin inside cannot be properly checked. I don't know how to pick fake slabs. Nevertheless, any good dealer worth his salt should be well enough experienced to weed out fake Melbourne Centenary Florins. I have seen some very deceiving fakes of these. He should be able to pick fake slabs as well. |
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Valued Member
Australia
174 Posts |
Hello Bull and welcome
if you Google " 1932 Melbourne florin " the 2nd entry down in Google - all coin values - has excellent photos and details about all Australian pre - decimal coins. Scroll down on the left of that page and the list of florins are each highlighted for you to click, and view the 1934/35 Melbourne florin. I advise that you have good look at both the reverse and obverse of the 1934/35 Melbourne florin and familiarise yourself with all the fine details of the coin.
There are now so many near perfect fakes everywhere that they have got very difficult to distinguish.
It's very important that once you are confident that you are very familiar with all the finer details of a real 1934/35 Melbounre florin, even if you have any minor niggling doubts about the one you are considering buying.....don't !! That's how good the fakes are now.
My motto for over 50 years is - I've lived this long without one, so I can wait a bit longer ( and be certain )
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Moderator
 United States
157664 Posts |
 to the Community! Bull, you asked the staff about your links. They appear to work fine now.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21593 Posts |
I still can't get the links to work.
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Moderator
United States
54140 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6356 Posts |
Welcome to the Forum. You've come to a phenomenal place to share and learn. Enjoy!
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21593 Posts |
Links now work, thanks.  |
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New Member
 Australia
6 Posts |
Thanks for all your feedback coinsters. I really appreciate it. I have done a huge amount of reading about the Melbourne Centenary florin fakes to try to educate myself & I find that I'm still struggling to pick a fake! I had no idea that the fakery & trickery is at such a high level. In all honesty, I never even knew that fakes existed but now it's apparent to me that its rife. It's so annoying. This must drive you guys crazy! I am not looking to become an expert, I just want to complete my little set with a legit florin. I mean until last night, I didn't even know what PGCS was! With that in mind, in regards to the second florin that I listed from ebay, this coin seems legit to my novice eyes. I have come to find that this seller is actually a coin dealer named Trevors Coins in Perth. They also have a website named wacoins.com.au. They seem reputable & this makes me feel safe buying from them but. I guess you never really know. Are you guys familiar with this shop\seller? What about the florin itself. Is it overpriced for the condition it's in? I'm feeling like a very small fish in a massive ocean here. Once again, any advice would be greatly appreciated. |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1333 Posts |
Yeah 1933/1934 Florin is a hard one due in part I think to the cartoonish looking King George 5th profile and its higher value rife with fakes, and scarce and in high demand. First one look suspect has finehair scratches which should be an indication of cleaning (no wear, lol seller)!. As for the second one does look better in term of whether its genuine, however personally for such a coin a premium slabbed coin might be the way to go, doesn't mean there aren't good bargins but they will be few and far between and sometime you will get your fingers burnt.
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Valued Member
Australia
174 Posts |
Bull I reckon all those many many years ago I drove people crazy with many questions, which at the time, might have been " silly little " questions but, hey, that is the best way for anyone who wants to learn. Small gradual steps. For what it's worth : I tend to look for the lettering on the reverse. The A's, and more importantly, the " M " and the " B " of Melbourne. Another which might be of help is the bottom curve on the " 5 " of 1935. One of the ebay numbers of the 1934/35 MC florins you wrote is most likely a fake.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21593 Posts |
Go to Downies (Sydney & Melbourne); they know their Melbourne Centenarys quite well.
That would be about the safest way you could buy one, in a grade that would suit your budget.
Price vs grade pretty well a fixed and well known market.
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Valued Member
Australia
174 Posts |
113701132915 is a slabbed one I wouldn't touch .. I haven't looked around at 1934/35 MCF for a good while. The only thing I've missed is seeing the vast increase in number of " imports " getting better and better. I'm yet to be convinced of the experise of PCGS, and others, when it comes to accurately grading Australian florins, nor most pre-decimals. Maybe they've got better at identifying Australian fakes.. but...
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21593 Posts |
I would agree with that, when it comes to slabbing pre decimal Australian coins, including MCF's.
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Valued Member
Australia
174 Posts |
Hi all After quite a few years of not needing to, I've done a bit of a " refresher " course on the 1934/35 MCF by putting 1934/35 Melbourne etc, in the ebay Australian coins toolbar. Up came 50 odd, which is reasonably ideal for comparing them for " kosher " ones and the not so obvious " imports ". I'd appreciate your opinion(s) on # 's 292292852131 and 382827354519. thanks
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Replies: 40 / Views: 8,009 |
Posted 04/03/2019 03:50 am
