Questions and Answers

[Nevol]

If the coin is an upset, then the Reverse will be out of alignment when viewed.

I think Goldy might mean Obverse here. :winkextra:

I have this vague recollection of reading somewhere that with Australian coins, the Anvil die is always the Reverse, and conversely the Hammer die is always the Obverse and that when Australian coins are ‘upset’, it’s always the Obverse side that is rotated and that it’s not  possible for the Anvil Die to rotate.

Can anyone please confirm this, or correct me if I’m wrong?  

I’ve tried to find the article online, but can’t locate it, so I feel it must have been on ACBO.

[enworb]

I have also heard that the RAM also uses the reverse on top and the obverse on the bottom. I know that for predecimal coins perth used the obverse on top whilst melbourne used the reverse on top.

[Robster]

Thanks to all who contibuted to this thread, interesting reading over this mornings coffee.! The M for F read the thread as well and is showing a new found interest in coins (dollars in particular). Might have a convert.!!

[Nevol]

I found this as a small note to myself from 2006, no idea who the author was or where I got it from:

Please DO NOT assume all presses at the RAM are set up with the obverse as the hammer die, it is my understanding that dies are inter-changeable these days.

[adud2304]

undefined
I wish to thank all who have replied to my inital query - all your replies have been informative and demonstrate the depth of knowledge that collectively is available.
I do have other questions that I hope members of this forum can respond to in like manner. The dates in these questions refer to the dates in the PENNY section of McConnelly's book on predecimal varieties. I do know that I have seen, some time ago, answers to some of these questions but, for the life of me, am unable to find the references now. I am hoping someone can help as I, preferably, do not wish to reinvent the wheel.
How do you determine whether or not a date is wide e.g. 1911, 1913 and other dates?
How do you determine whether a coin is tilted left/right e.g. 1914, 1915 etc?
Other questions may follow later

[Robster]

I use a usb microscope to check for die cracks etc. The software with this unit allows an amazing number of options, including drawing a 'line' between two points and recording the distance in milimetres or even down to 'microns'. These units are cheap to purchase (ebay) and simply plug into a PC to operate.!
My unit is a couple of years old now, I am sure someone will point you in the right direction. Experience will eventually allow you to pick out these varieties without any trouble.!

[enworb]

The best way would probably be by comparison with other coins.

[adud2304]

Why do I get undefined coming up?? when I try to post a reply?
With regard to how an upset coin is described I have decided to:
Align the reverse vertically and when flipped to describe the degree it is upset as always less than or equal to 180 with the rotation as being either clockwise or anti-clockwise.
Thank you to all who replied to my question

[Australian coin]

if you get undefined turn up as a post just edit it and delete that post and start again