How do I spot the difference between the silver and the copper-nickel versions from pictures alone?
I know how to identify silver if I have it in my hand, but I don't.
I would have thought there must be some small difference in the engraving.
There is no difference in design for the silver vs the copper nickel. In early years sometimes you would find that the reeding on the edge was finer and smaller on the silver versions. Also, for some of Isle of Man's early crowns, the copper nickel version would be in unc condition, while a silver version was unc or proof. In this situation, the image is of a proof, so the image is for the silver version proof. I hope this helps you to attribute your coin.
Library Media Specialist, columnist, collector, and gardener...
Thanks Oklahoman.
I interpret your reply to mean that there is no way to distinguish the two from photos alone unless the coin is obviously a proof, in which case it is silver.