Early Victoria Penny "Model"

pmac

I won this in a Heritage auction awhile back. Not having any descriptive literature concerning this piece, I thought I'd turn to the experts here. Can you share any info concerning this "model"?

carabonnair

from the BBC

This Victorian one penny model was a suggested design by Joseph Moore and made in 1844 to replace the heavy coinage then in circulation. The inner part was supposed to be in silver to compensate for the small intrinsic copper value but those produced in the greatest numbers had a copper outer ring and an inner part made of approximately 60% zinc / 40% nickel. They were never adopted and are quite common. There are two varieties with this metal with the die axis upright and inverted.

syl

Here is a poop sheet from "Unusual World Coins"

Insider2

These pieces were found in 1960's junk boxes for less than $2. Now I cannot afford them. Yours is nice.