Hi everyone! Today I had a guy walk into the store who had an 1813 Isle of Man Half Penny, or at least he thinks he does. He asked me if I could authenticate the coin for him and having a very limited knowledge of world coins, I told him that I would research his coin as best I could and let him know what I could find out. Here are the facts that I have on the coin: 1813 Isle of Man The coin appears to be copper, but may be plated or gilt. (or faked) Weight: 10.4g I was unable to measure it in mm because I didn't have a caliper or even a tape measure in millimeters. It was approximately 1-1/8 inches wide (give or take) The coin also appears to be struck like a proof with squared rims. I admit is possible that it's legitimate, but it's in really great condition for a coin of its age. I am and here are pics: any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Krause 10a is a copper gilt version and proof. Weight isn't listed. The pictures look correct but I'm no expert.
the coin looked good to me as well. I was unable to find what the correct weight should be, as i don't have a world coins book from that era. The penny should weigh 20.04g, which through logic, means that this coin should weigh 10.02, but it weighs 10.4, so that's heavy for the correct coin. Also, there is a relatively common copper version and a gilt version. I don't know what the correct weights for either is, but the gilt version is far more valuable. My other thought is that someone gilt a common copper coin in order to sell it for a big payday, but the lettering and other devices seem too sharp for a plated coin. As much as I'd like it to be real, my better judgment (and complete lack of expertise on these coins) says it's too good to be true. Perhaps this coin is a copper version and has toned to this color and finish, but how would I explain its weight?
I think your concerns are unwarranted. It's not an especially valuable coin, and it's not uncommon to find Isle of Man half pennies and pennies in that condition.
THESE WERE ENGRAVED BY CONRAD HEINRICH KUCHLER AND STRUCK BY MATTHEW BOULTON AT THE SOHO MINT,BIRMINGHAM ON THE STEAM PRESS
Looks like a good VF example of a coin that's quite common well worn and with loads of edge knocks, because the pure copper is relatively soft. To get one this tidy is quite rare. Unless my screen is completely maladjusted the colour looks reasonably normal, I cannot see where the talk of gilding comes from. I have no idea what the buy/sell for a US dealer would be. I'd pay maybe £20 and hope to sell it for about £30.
No, in 1813 electricity was no more than a lab curiosity. Plating as we know it is done with electricity. It was one of the earliest practical uses though. Gilding would be either with gold leaf or in the case of a copper coin, probably fire gilt. You dissolve some gold in mercury (yes, solid gold will dissolve in mercury) and coat the item with the mixture. It will look silvered, but if you put it in a very hot oven at over or about 350 degrees Centigrade, the mercury will vapourise and leave the gold on the metal object. The effect is probably the nicest looking and most durable gilding possible, the quality depending on the amount of gold in the mercury amalgam. Do not try this at home. The process has been commercially illegal since the 1850s, when it was realised how toxic mercury vapour could be over a long term, too many workers were manifesting strange symptoms, as in a the hatmaking trade mercury users became the source of the saying 'Mad as a Hatter'. The process is still used unofficially to restore damaged fire gilt antiques, but those who do it do it outdoors and stay upwind of the 'oven'. They also don't do it very often, as you rarely need to do this sort of restoration.
