Question on South African proofs...

[spiny]

Is it normal for them to have some cartwheel luster and not very reflective fields? This one looks more like a prooflike strike to me, but it's the first one I've ever handled.

 

[spiny]

Another pic with the fields fully lit.

 

[Hoot]

From this point of view, the coin does not even look PL. I'm sure in-hand it looks a fair bit different. The coin certainly does not have the look of a proof.

 

Hoot

[spiny]

From this point of view, the coin does not even look PL.

 

That has more to do with my pictures...

 

The coin has a nice strike with squared off rims and such. I can make out reflected text about 3-4" deep in the fields. Besides that, the business strikes are worth more than the proofs, so not much chance that I got a really nice business strike.

[TJ]

From this point of view, the coin does not even look PL.

 

That has more to do with my pictures...

Perhaps pushing the marcro button would help?

[spiny]

[JamminJ]

I've also had South African proofs where the mirrors weren't complete and there was some cartwheel also. They were no-brainer proofs - I think that's just the way the come.

[JamminJ]

Perhaps pushing the marcro button would help?

 

TJ learned a new photo trick today.

[spiny]

I've also had South African proofs where the mirrors weren't complete and there was some cartwheel also. They were no-brainer proofs - I think that's just the way the come.

 

Thanks Jammin!

[World Colonial]

I collect the entire South Africa series and I only buy uncirculated busines strikes or high grade proofs. To answer your question, you should hope that your coin is NOT a proof because the 1948 business strike is a rare coin and much rarer than the proof. I have both of them, NGC MS-63 and NGC PR-67 but would be happy to have the coin you illustrate as a duplicate (if it was certified) if it is a business strike.