1826 halfpenny

Blackhawk · April 20, 2007 2:08PM

If my photos are clear enough, can someone in the know tell me the variety of this 1826 halfpenny. There's supposed to be some difference in the "saltire", and I'd surely look for it if only I knew what a saltire was.

DesertRat · April 20, 2007 5:49PM

I have no idea what a saltire is either, but everytime I look at the reverse I think it is someone in a wheelchair

Teg · April 20, 2007 5:58PM

Hi,
A saltire is a representation of a flag, in this case on the shield (The wheel as some see it)
The cross almost at right angles is English, the diagonal cross is Scotland and Ireland - and is
the saltire. There are three varieties in Peck, no raised central line, thin line and thick line.

Your coin does not have a central raised line on the saltire- so is Peck 1422, this is the most
common type.

What a beautiful coin.

Teg

Sapyx · April 20, 2007 6:16PM

A saltire is the heraldic name for a diagonal cross, or X-shape, used on flags and coats of arms. The Confederate battle flag has a saltire. The only X I can see on that coin is the one forming part of the design of Britannia's shield.

According to Spink, your options are "thick line" and "thin line" on the saltire, and "plain saltire". On some 1826 pennies, you'll see, on the X-strokes on on the shield, a line dividing the wide stripe. It's the thickness of the line that's an issue.

Here's a thick line on saltire.

Here's a thin line on saltire.

The "plain saltire" variety doesn't have a line there at all. I can't see a line in your pic, so it's either a plain, or a so-thin-its-invisible-on-your-picture line.

Blackhawk · April 21, 2007 1:02AM

My thanks to both of you for your explanations. There is no visable raised line on the X.

farthing · April 21, 2007 8:56AM

Learned something new today - Thanks Teg and Sapyx!

coinkat · April 21, 2007 9:51PM

attractive coin

rhound1977 · April 22, 2007 12:35AM

Sweet 1/2 D, and nice info shared....

1826 halfpenny

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