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Brit Tip #15

Tip #15

More die numbers and letters

As I stated in the last tip, die numbers were common in Victorian sixpences, shillings and gothic florins. It turns out that there were other die number experiments performed earlier on the bun head Victorian bronze coinage. These are extremely rare and highly sought after.

The most famous die character experiments were done on 1862 halfpennies. A letter was placed to the left of the lighthouse. At present, the following are known to exist (source: Michael Gouby's fascinating report, The British Bronze Coinage, 1860-1869):
Die letter A - 20
Die letter B - 5?
Die letter C - 8?
Die letter A to right - 1

Another die number experiment was made on pennies dated 1863. The die number is found below the date. These are broken down as follows (again, Gouby's paper is the source for this info):
Number 1 - none known
Number 2 - 4 known
Number 3 - 3 known
Number 4 - 5 known
Number 5 - 1 known

The purpose of the experiments is not reliably known.

Needless to say, given that these can probably be easily forged, it is imperative to have coins like this authenticated by a reliable third party.
Former owner, Cambridge Gate collection.

Comments

  • AethelredAethelred Posts: 9,288 ✭✭✭
    Great info Wybrit, are you putting these together in one place like your website?
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  • wybritwybrit Posts: 6,961 ✭✭✭
    Great question. I hadn't thought about it too much, but I will do just that as I get more time to fiddle with that in the new year!
    Former owner, Cambridge Gate collection.
  • MacCrimmonMacCrimmon Posts: 7,058 ✭✭✭
    I second a repository of these "tips" somewhere.....your website, or a "tips" index containing these links to Tips #1 - 1000.

    1000!!! image Hey, you better get moving, Sir!
  • Wybrit
    All of the 1862 1/2ds with die letters are rare. But the die letter C is beyond a joke. I've never seen on and the dealer I work with has seen one in the last twenty five years. The letter C is apparently not to the left of lighthouse but left and way down in the waves

    The B is coming up more frequently - hardly common - I have one for sale now, and sold a damaged low grade one earlier this year.

    A BU die letter A went on Ebay over a year ago for £1250. It is interesting to note that all A's are unbarred.

    As most of you know you find a lot of 1862 1/2ds in junk boxes, as it's such a common date. When scavaging, you should always look for an LCW above the 8 and 6 of the date, in the rocks. This is easier to see than the die letter B. But ALWAYS look around the lighthouse for something. Any one of the above in VF+ is a £1,000 coin.

    I have never seen a die number penny for sale.

    Good "Tipping"...

    L
  • 1jester1jester Posts: 8,637 ✭✭✭
    Great tip!

    imageimageimage
    .....GOD
    image

    "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -Luke 11:9

    "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." -Deut. 6:4-5

    "For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us." -Isaiah 33:22
  • SYRACUSIANSYRACUSIAN Posts: 6,461 ✭✭✭✭
    Print those tips!

    image

    image
    Dimitri



    myEbay



    DPOTD 3
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