1927 Australian Commemorative Canberra Florin [opgelost]

I have a 1927 Australian Commemorative Canberra Florin, but I can't tell the difference between the 2000000 coin and the 400 proof coin.

https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces12501.html

Also I saw this coin selling for $300 on eBay; this was probably the 400 proof coin right?
So if I don't have the proof coin then how much is my florin worth?

Thanks,
Julia

Welcome to Numista!

"Proof" refers to the method of manufacturing of the coin: planchets and dies get polished, and the details usually get a frosted look. Minting is done with added pressure to obtain the highest level of detail. Proofs are not intended to circulate and not intended to handle without care anyway. They come in a box, capsule or bag and should remain there for the better. Look but no touch.

Here's a forum post dedicated to Proofs:
https://en.numista.com/forum/topic6717.html

And here a more recent one with some more explanation on the terminology Proof, Mint State, Uncirculated:
https://en.numista.com/forum/topic40350.html

A quick way to get an idea of the value of your coin is the NGC database:
http://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/australia-florin-km-31-1927-cuid-40135-duid-115929

Citeer: ArnoV"Proof" refers to the method of manufacturing of the coin: planchets and dies get polished, and the details usually get a frosted look. Minting is done with added pressure to obtain the highest level of detail. Proofs are not intended to circulate and not intended to handle without care anyway. They come in a box, capsule or bag and should remain there for the better. Look but no touch.

I knew what proofs were but thanks anyway, but what did stand out for me in your post was the above. So does this mean a proof is kind of fuzzy or really bold?

Also, in regard to the "they come in a box", this coin was the first commemorative coin in AUS and I don't think they came in boxes. I'm pretty sure this coin was before they started making "proofs" for collectors like us!

Cameo proof is the Frosted details type, a standard "polished die" proof will have a different "reflection" between the details and the background, the background almost gives a "black flash" type of reflection, These are tougher to distinguish.

A few pics of your coin at several different angles, some with flash and some without might help so I can compare it to mine which isn't a proof. That will help narrow it down at least. Each proof type is very different from the other in a pretty big way.

Citeer: FlukeCameo proof is the Frosted details type, a standard "polished die" proof will have a different "reflection" between the details and the background, the background almost gives a "black flash" type of reflection, These are tougher to distinguish.

A few pics of your coin at several different angles, some with flash and some without might help so I can compare it to mine which isn't a proof. That will help narrow it down at least. Each proof type is very different from the other in a pretty big way.

Could you explain "frosted details" and "reflection"?

The reflection is like a mobile/cell phone screen when it is off in a well lit room, dark looking but has a "Reflective shine"

Frosted it literally how it sounds, the reflection is still the same as above but the detail on frosted would be very apparent, this type is classed as a cameo proof.

example



Standard proof will look slightly frosted at certain angles.

example



then you have the highly polished coins, do not confuse these with a proof, you can see in the detail from the one above that a proof has significant higher detail than the polished.




Hope that helps you understand and welcome to numista.  

Okay then I think I understand.

My coin looks to be kind of worn but is not overly polished. My assessment is that I have don't have a proof coin.
And if eBay is any assessment of price I am rightly confused.
I've seen listings for:
$300
$90
$85
$45
$35

And none of these say proof. So, maybe I'm lucky and that doesn't matter so much.

Anyway, thanks for all the help! :D

If you can provide links to some of them then I will take a look at them and see if I can give you a reason.

Don't forget there are plenty of wishful thinkers on ebay who would try and sell a coin only worth a few $'s for an obscene price, I get plenty of those on eBay.co.uk, selling an actual £2 and asking up to £1000 for it for example    

unless you can provide a picture of your coin, I cant tell where on the price scale it may be. The proof can be rather expensive, whereas the circulation coin can be 20-100 depending on condition.

Were frosted proofs common before 1960?  I was under the impression that older proofs were not frosted... am I mistaken?

No, I think you are not mistaken ... the "frosting" - (did an American invent that term because it has to do with high calorie food    ) effect was, if it occoured or at least partially, a product of a die not polished enough or false press calibration.
Modern frosting is made by roughing up the desing elements either with chemicals, abbrasive materials or most recent lasers.  

I found a nice video from the royal mint website that shows the stages and differences


But to this day I can't tell the difference between normal and proof issues of the 19th century.

Citeer: CeruleanWere frosted proofs common before 1960?  I was under the impression that older proofs were not frosted... am I mistaken?

You are correct sir, The last known non Frosted common proof was the 1970 British coin pre decimal set as far as I know, but the frosting process may have been apparent in other countries before that.