what exactly is a specimen coin?

[lacey]

Why bother asking PP.  They didn't ask us if they could change the Wedding Sets.

Mark I think when sales of wedding sets start to decline, maybe they will pull their fingers out and get cracking, making them like they used to.  Like you said, bad move.

[r9453]

Gawd.
:mafia:

[trout]

We didn't invite the RAM to join the forum, should we?

My oath we should, that way we can give them direction as to what collectors REALLY want :ok:

[Australian coin]

they already know about the aussie coin forums, I have sent them several invites before, they are not representing RAM as such, but individuals may be here

[robbiegal]

I have been told that when the RAM did that years ago - i.e. get involved in forums, it was a disaster and is now on the 'do not go there' list

[JeffH]

'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.'
Through the Looking Glass, by Lewis Carroll

Whatever Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) was on might be worth trying. He also wrote Alice in Wonderland.

Anyway, to paraphrase Humpty Dumpty "A specimen coin is what I say it is; no more, no less".

Jeff

[robbiegal]

bluesheet
specimen: A coin struck from an early circulation die state, not intended for circulation

then this: (link below)

Proofs, Patterns and Specimens.
Proof coins represent the very best of the minter's art. Today, they are manufactured from hand-polished dies, are virtually flawless and are superby presented in customised packaging, with strict limits on production.
Originally they were trial coins, hand struck at the start of a mintage, in order that any flaws could be detected and rectified. Then they became a special sample, kept as an example of each mintage. Today, they are considered numismatic coins - of interest to coin collectors - and are sold at fixed prices consistent with their quality and rarity.

For most Australian pre-decimal proof and pattern issues (particularly gold sovereigns and half sovereigns), mint records were poorly kept. Confusion has resulted from references to Proof, Pattern and sometimes Specimen coin strikes, all of which seem to have similar qualities. To overcome these description difficulties, a proof or specimen coin is now defined as a specially prepared coin which also has normal circulating coins issued with the same date and die types. On the other hand, a Pattern is an issue of a particular date and die types for which no circulating coins were issued. Patterns may, and often do, show slight differences from circulation issues as they were usually intended as examples of a change in proposed design,

http://www.australianstamp.com/Coin-web/history/grading.htm