Chop marks are pretty special. While it's technically PMD and thus a detriment, it's also a part of that coin's history just as much as legitimate patina or circulation wear. A coin like this inspires all kinds of speculation - what was it used to buy from some wizened, shriveled up Chinese merchant? Human trafficking, opium or maybe a Gremlin or two.
If I wasn't already over committed in other areas it's a theme I'd love to explore. I'm guessing that there's already a lot of information published on identifying individual marks. It ought to be possible to build up a complete history of where that coin has been, from it's country of origin through the hands of merchants in exotic places like old Shanghai.
Can't do that with your typical MS70 ASE can ya?
Non illegitimis carborundum est. Excellent advice for all coins.
Make Numismatics Great Again!
Quote: "pnightingale"I'm guessing that there's already a lot of information published on identifying individual marks. It ought to be possible to build up a complete history of where that coin has been, from it's country of origin through the hands of merchants in exotic places like old Shanghai.
Can't do that with your typical MS70 ASE can ya?
Yes, there are a few clubs for collectors of chop marks that have online material for identifying the marks. I found one for Mark a couple of years when he had a chopped coin, back but I can't remember what it is now.
The big gouges would have been to check the coin wasn't plated. They also used to do this by cutting notches in the edge of the coin
Does anyone know if the TPG deadbeats still give chopmarked coins the dreaded "details" tag?
I've always been prone to a quiet smile whenever I see this - such a perfect illustration of a "professional numismatists" knowing bugger all about coin collecting.
Non illegitimis carborundum est. Excellent advice for all coins.
Make Numismatics Great Again!
Quote: "pnightingale"Chop marks are pretty special. While it's technically PMD and thus a detriment, it's also a part of that coin's history just as much as legitimate patina or circulation wear. A coin like this inspires all kinds of speculation
I feel the same way about clipped coins. Sure it reduces the value, but it really makes you wonder what was going through the minds of those who were willing to put their lives on the line for a little piece of silver. Were they pushed to it by desperation or were they part of a larger criminal organisation? And, most importantly, were they ever caught?
I guess they have no other option really. They can't really grade it and ignore the chop marks completely, and I don't think they have a category to acknowledge chop marks.
You would think they would have some sort of note for chop marks. They have one for everything else.
Personally I don't consider chop marks a detriment. Having those kinds of records adds value for me. Any sort of confirmed information I can get on whose hands held a coin before I did is just such a gift. As long as it's contemporary damage.
Quote: "MonaSeaclaid"You would think they would have some sort of note for chop marks. They have one for everything else.
Personally I don't consider chop marks a detriment. Having those kinds of records adds value for me. Any sort of confirmed information I can get on whose hands held a coin before I did is just such a gift. As long as it's contemporary damage.
There, dear lady. You have a better grasp than the "experts" at PCGS.
I see what you're saying Neil but yet they don't give details grades to countermarked colonial issues, which are, in the terms we are discussing, their closest relatives. I believe that their inconsistency stems from ivory tower ignorance. The Emperor is actually naked, I'm telling ya. They know a lot about how many scratches Eisenhower can have on his venerable nose before he drops from MS 67 to MS 66 but next to nothing about coin collecting.
I don't like TPGs. Have I ever told you?
Non illegitimis carborundum est. Excellent advice for all coins.
Make Numismatics Great Again!
Yeah. The Chinese shroffs done this too a whole host of silver coins including Hong Kong & Straits settlements dollars.
I love them. I actually prefer a nice grade trade dollar with some chops than the basic dollar it's self even some worn ones are great. Now, I have both types in my collection and I even have a chopped straits dollar. It's a shame they assign details grade for those wanting to slab them but great for collectors of chopped coins. Whilst the slobbers are all chasing MS I can pick up these golden eggs for pittance in comparison.
I was was in touch with a man for the chop marks Colin Gullberg but I never managed to retrieve the latest catalogue although my coins have featured in his articles they generally don't say a name but just a word that the vendor would recognise.
heres my straits dollar it's the only large dollar I have
Heres as my fav trade dollar with a chop and punch mark.
I have also got a java rupee with test punches which I think add character too the coin :)
