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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,614 |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
521 Posts |
I am curious as to why some UNC coins have more steps than others? Is there 3 steps? Is the lack of steps due to a weak strike or wearing dies? The coin in the link seems to only have 1and a half steps? yet MS64? https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/304784118555Still a fantastic looking coin. Edited by crab eater
07/29/2023 01:31 am
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7619 Posts |
I think my MS63 has better steps, so I guess it's not just the steps that count.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
580 Posts |
 A circulation strike struck from the proof dies. With the full four steps.
Watch your top knot
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21593 Posts |
It is possible to have a sharp strike with 2 steps or less, and
to have a weaker strike, with full 3 steps.
Coins with 3 full steps are much scarcer.
The reason why the differences has to do with individual die pairs.
If you examine a PH Florin, you will note that exactly under the 3 steps on the obverse side of the coin,
the relief it's highest point, and
that happens to be in the middle of the head band of the King's crown.
When the coin was struck, the metal has to fill the high point on the head band, and thus there is not enough metal thickness available in the flan to enable the step detail on the reverse side to be fully struck up.
In fact, there is one particular die pair, where the 3 steps are better struck than on the proof examples of this coin.
If you can locate a high grade example off this particular die pair, then go for it !
The best I have been able to find is in good EF, with almost full luster, in 40 years of searching.
If searching for any top grade example, (2 or 3 steps), look for an early strike with sharp beard and mustache detail on the King's effigy.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
998 Posts |
Quote:
The best I have been able to find is in good EF, with almost full luster, in 40 years of searching.
If searching for any top grade example, (2 or 3 steps), look for an early strike with sharp beard and mustache detail on the King's effigy. This was examined in detail in the 1960's when I was still at School, general consensus was the full 'steps' were only clear on early strikes. Reason being was the Die pressure was reduced to ensure longivity of the Dies as some were failing,i have a eg. somewhere with all the steps showing along with massive die cracks,i'll throw a Pic. up when I find it.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21593 Posts |
I have a small stash of 14 Parliament House Florins,
only one example (as mentioned above), could be considered as exhibiting full 3 steps.
None of them show die cracks,
so no reasonable conclusion can be drawn as regards the combination of three steps and die cracking within this particular stash.
That led to me to search:
Google Images:
'Die cracks 1927 Parliament House Florin'
Of the 63 examples I observed,
6 of them exhibited concentric die cracking on the obverse side, no die cracking on reverse of any of them.
None of those that exhibited obverse die cracks also exhibited 3 steps.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
580 Posts |
Is "full steps" 3 or 4 ?
Watch your top knot
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21593 Posts |
3 full steps.
Although a fourth vestigal step can also sometimes be seen.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
580 Posts |
Is the top counted as a step as such ? 
Watch your top knot
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
998 Posts |
Quote:
Is the top counted as a step as such ?
Always 3 steps amongst dealers but I guess you can count the top step,that Pic. is as good as it gets. I have 2 coins with all the steps and one with massive die cracks and one with minor,i'll try and find them and post pics.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
998 Posts |
This is one of my Florins showing minor Die Cracks. I have one with major cracks,i don't know how it escaped the Mint. I purchased it in the USA so may have been included in a bulk lot to a US Dealer.Major cracking thru Australia & Florin. I think it may be in my Sisters safe as I can't find it amongst my 1927 Florins.  This is a different coin with steps,there is some signifance of the green arrow.I'll post when I work out why I highlighted it.  Edited by Basil
07/30/2023 8:37 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
998 Posts |
Edited by Basil
07/31/2023 8:21 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 Australia
521 Posts |
Very interesting replies ,thanks for the info.  I would love to see a picture of the whole reverse of your 'full steps' coin please echidna if possible.  And more info about your 'green arrow' Basil.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
580 Posts |
 Note the small die flaw above the first A in AUSTRALIA. This is a die marker of the proof dies. There are other die markers but this is the easiest one to spot.
Watch your top knot
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
998 Posts |
Great Coin Echi. Quote:
And more info about your 'green arrow' Basil. Not sure CE,IIRC it was for a Post on a now defunct Forum about 20 years ago,may be something to do with the 'railing' not showing on later strikes. Leave it with me my old XP computer may have more details. I'll post this whilst I have the Coin out,not the one I was looking for but it has minor die cracks on both dies as they start to fail.   Edited by Basil
08/12/2023 9:14 pm
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Valued Member
Australia
51 Posts |
just curious about this florin I got ... anyone with lots of knowledge on Australian florin needs your help pls ...I am about to upload a photo of my florin I would like to get the correct facts rather than me guessing or assuming. Cheers Roni  |
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,614 |
Posted 07/29/2023 02:27 am
