What is it? Victoria Penny expert needed.

theboz11

1897 VICTORIA PENNY JUBILEE MODEL BY LAUER NURNBERG

13mm copper





A Google search yield lots of German references, but proves no help on this piece.

theboz11

ttt

3Mark

I think it is "spiel marke", which is German for play money. Lauer made all kinds including some that looked like US coins.3Mark

Teg

Hi,
Lauer was a well known firm of die sinkers and engravers from Nürnberg in Germany. (I wonder if you can see their factory in Cacheman's City Taler?) BTW, Nürnberg is the German for Nuremberg. The firm produced counters in various forms in the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries. They produced sets of counters e.g. one Pfennig to 20 Marks, also Spanish and Belgium.

From 1880's to about 1902 they produced counters based on the English coinage. The counters were produced of uniform size - about 13mm and are in the correct colour for the denominations copper - copper , silver - a white metal etc. Farthings to Sovereigns were produced.

It is thought that they were issued with packets of tea as an advertising gimmick.

A common type has OBV: IMITATION L CHR LAUER, REV: ONE PENNY LAUER in exergue.
(LUDWIG CHRISTIAN LAUER was the firms trade name)

The above type also occurs with 1897 to L of bust OBV: DIAMOND JUBILEE LAUER NURNBERG (your coin)

The portrait is of the 1874 -79 penny die.

The above is taken from a 1975 article in the Numismatic Circular. There has been a lot more published since then - but I don't have the books.

Teg

theboz11

Thank You for the great info. I had not run across something this detailed and small before. Makes a welcome Victoria collectible.

cindy1975

I also have one of these coins, but mine does not have a date on it. Any idea how old it is and possibly what it's worth ? It's in very good condition with no scratches or dents that I can see.

Thanks in advance

Cindy