Ummmm So, for starters, I was going to send this in because I thought it would be at least an XF (I have an 1861 XF45 and it looks similar?). But then there’s the obverse rim damage, so details grade (I think?). But I needed some input on some other things to see if it’s still worth slabbing... (1) I didn’t find any A, B, C, or LCW. So... here’s where it gets fun? (2) Obverse F. Looked shelf-like, so thought MD. Zoomed in and the E had a serif and then noticed the lower left looked like a true doubling. ** pics to follow ** (3) Went around... First R “Victoria” and second G “REG” seemed doubled. So, DDO? (4) Reverse F in “Half” stuck out. The P and second N in “Penny” looked off. Magnified down on F and it looked like it was a big F over a small F... I check these because of the 1861 HALP. F/F? DDR? MD? (5) the N. Please explain? (6) the P... most pictures because it threw me off. It looks like an I over P... Sorry this is another long post. I’m new, so trying to get advice. Most of the photos are straight on shots, but a few are angled to show a better view? I don’t know... thoughts?
Interesting. Some of this looks like MD to me. Was "Half Penny" hand punched into each die? That would account for some of what I'm seeing. I'm not familiar with the manufacturing methods here, maybe a thread bump will get someone more knowledgable to comment.
Thanks for the response! I’m not sure of the exact technique. I know one of the major varieties is the “HALP”, but I don’t know if that was hand punched. I agree with MD look on parts, especially as most doubling looks more shelf-like on the obverse. I was trying to look at the serifs and how the doubling appears. I don’t know. Sorry, I’m new to varieties and errors - trying to look at images and videos for help (like the pinned post). Thanks again though!
Interesting images. Unfortunately I don't know what die making methods the royal mint was using at that time. i would be kind of surprised if they were not using die hubbing by that late a date, but the features on your coin definitely look like the result of repunching of lettering not hub doubling. When was this type introduced? I know a little before this time in the US, a new Master die of a new design used for creating working hubs would have the lettering punched in by hand. Then all the working hubs created from it. If that was the case in England you should find the other 1862 half pennys would show these same features.
Thanks Conder! This was what I could gather: The seated right-faced Britannia half penny started in 1825, but the words "half penny" didn't start until this series in 1860. All British coins have been machine made since around the 17th Century. It seems like they're pretty specific about combinations of dies also - the HALP being Obverse 7, Reverse G. The F over P in the 1861 "halp" penny just looks like a F repunched over a P. The other letters look clean in comparison. Here, the F, P, and N look odd... Is this similar to RPD errors?
