Help with an 1861/81 Great Britain Half Penny

ashmore

I need help from an expert on Great Britian coins. I have located an 1861/81 or 1861 6/8 Half Penny and the references I have both show this coin as VERY RARE. Well, I can only tell you that I own a few "very rare" coins that are only worth about $50. But then I have others that are 5-figure coins. I need to know what this coin is worth in an appropriate auction. Any help would be appreciated. I can be reached at ash@ashmore.com. I don't check this board very often, but I'll try for a few days, having put up this post.

Attached are two pictures.

wybrit

It looks as though you may have one.

Spinks calls it "extremely rare" but gives it no value.

2005 Collectors' Coins calls it "Rare" and gives no value.

British Coins Market Values 2004 does not list it.

Krause 4th Edition calls it "Rare" and gives no value.

Coincraft (1999) lists it and gives valuations of £100 F and £250 VF. Note that these prices are 6 years old and since then, the British market has exploded. I can't see much of your coin, but would grade what I do see "fair."

Given the recent surging demand, you could realize as much as $500 for an example in fair.

I would go to Colin Cooke's forum and ask the question there as well. Someone there may have actually located and bought or sold one recently. The answer might be slow in coming and sadly, it won't be Colin responding as he passed away just a week ago. The website and business are now being run by his business partner Neil Paisley.

Link to Colin Cooke's website and forum.