Irish coin tip - Identifying a 1961 Mule halfcrown
MSD61
Posts: 3,382 ✭
Wanting to always be helpful and to give back to the forum, I thought it would be nice to post this tip on 1961 Irish halfcrowns. I can't take credit for the information but I hope it will be helpful
Identifying a 1961 Mule halfcrown
The 1961 mule halfcrown was struck in error (or on purpose) from a reverse die from of the 1928-37 type. In 1938 the halfcrown reverse - the horse - had been redesigned to improve the striking characteristics of the coin. During the preparation of the 1961 restrike of the 1928 proofs the original dies were tested and found not to be in suitable for use in producing the new proof coins. In this process the halfcrown die from the 1928 series was introduced into the production run for circulating 1961 halfcrowns. This may have happened to other reverse dies but the halfcrown and penny are the only two which were distinct in design and no pennies were struck in 1961, so the opportunity for a mule penny to exist is minimal.
The term 'mule' is used to describe any coin made from two mismatched sides it is an unfortunate term in this case as it makes people think that the 'mule' halfcrown has a picture of a mule on it.
The 1961 mule halfcrowns are quite easy to detect and the image below shows the major differences in the two halfcrowns.
1. The 'd' of 2s6d is open at the top on the mule but it is closed on a normal coin.
2. The tail on the mule has a slightly 'bell-shaped' sides with 8 hairs - the normal coin has a straight sided tail with 7 hairs.
3. The lettering on the mule is finer and the spacing is different - most notably the OI of COROIN are much closer together on the mule than the normal coin.
4. The designer's initials PM are larger and the P is not at all under the hoof, on the normal coin the initials are smaller and almost entirely under the hoof.
5. The base of the 2 is longer on the mule than the regular coin.
I have been on the hunt for this Halfcrown for my collection and hope that all find this information useful.
Identifying a 1961 Mule halfcrown
The 1961 mule halfcrown was struck in error (or on purpose) from a reverse die from of the 1928-37 type. In 1938 the halfcrown reverse - the horse - had been redesigned to improve the striking characteristics of the coin. During the preparation of the 1961 restrike of the 1928 proofs the original dies were tested and found not to be in suitable for use in producing the new proof coins. In this process the halfcrown die from the 1928 series was introduced into the production run for circulating 1961 halfcrowns. This may have happened to other reverse dies but the halfcrown and penny are the only two which were distinct in design and no pennies were struck in 1961, so the opportunity for a mule penny to exist is minimal.
The term 'mule' is used to describe any coin made from two mismatched sides it is an unfortunate term in this case as it makes people think that the 'mule' halfcrown has a picture of a mule on it.
The 1961 mule halfcrowns are quite easy to detect and the image below shows the major differences in the two halfcrowns.
1. The 'd' of 2s6d is open at the top on the mule but it is closed on a normal coin.
2. The tail on the mule has a slightly 'bell-shaped' sides with 8 hairs - the normal coin has a straight sided tail with 7 hairs.
3. The lettering on the mule is finer and the spacing is different - most notably the OI of COROIN are much closer together on the mule than the normal coin.
4. The designer's initials PM are larger and the P is not at all under the hoof, on the normal coin the initials are smaller and almost entirely under the hoof.
5. The base of the 2 is longer on the mule than the regular coin.
I have been on the hunt for this Halfcrown for my collection and hope that all find this information useful.
0
Comments
My World Coin Type Set
C'mon, now. did you read the post? The animal is a horse, on both coins. "Mule" is just the term to refer to mismatched sides.
PM with info.
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e-bay ID= 29john29
1. What's the typical cost difference between the mule and the normal issue? Have you ever seen one for sale?
2. What was your source of this info? Just curious, so the source can get proper credit
Thanks!
..................................................................................Mintage...........F............VF............ XF...........UNC
1961 -normal style.................................................1,600,000 ...€2.00.....€3.00.......€5.00........€22.00 -
1961 variety - 'Mule'with 1928-1937style reverse*..50,000 ?......€8.50.....€25.00...€130.00..... €750.00
Hope this helps.
-john
PM with info.
Auction Sniper For all your sniping needs. Tell them I sent you and I'll get three free snipes!
e-bay ID= 29john29
Ya, I read the post. Good information. I guess I was in a bit of a strange mood this morning
I wonder why the earlier reverse die was not destroyed after the redesign. Is it common practice for a mint to keep an out-of-date die around for over 20 years? I could see keeping a Matirx around for a long period of time, but a die?
My World Coin Type Set