Huge variation in prices for Victorian farthing "die varieties" - it's well worth checking !

It took me a little while to get all of the illustrations together but this series of coins has many die variations that make a huge difference to the price.

Collectors are advised to check for these varieties because many dealers don't bother and your patience and effort will be re-paid many times over if / when you find some of these little numismatic nuggets.

https://oldcurrencyexchange.com/2018/01/27/obrien-coin-guide-gb-ireland-bronze-farthings-victoria/

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Hi James,
I was inspired by your post on farthing varieties and decided to do some digging. I believe this to be an 1892 2/2 variety and was wondering how you would grade the coin.
Thanks!

 

How far to the left is the H on the 1881-H, H to left, variety? Is this one? I picked it up in a 12-for-a-dollar box at a flea market.

 

Hi Mark,

The reverse is absolutely beautiful - a solid EF (for me).
Sadly, the obverse has a bit more wear + a few little knocks/dings - a good VF (in my books).
Overall, I'd grade it at gVF and price it at €60.

It's still a beautiful coin and an absolute bargain at that price !

That said, grading is always going to attract a few "too generous" and "too harsh" comments, so let's see what our friends on CoinTalk think of my opinion ???

 

The H should be "almost touching the first 8" ... which this isn't.
That said, it definitely is slightly off-centre.

Personally, I'd hesitate to call this a "H to the left", price it accordingly and let someone think they one over on me, i.e. collectors always go back to dealers who grade conservatively.

At less than 10c each, I hope you cleaned him out !
You simply cannot go wrong at that price !!!

I just love those boxes at fairs.
I set up my stall, cover it up with a cloth ... and spend all my spare time "before the fair opens" at other dealers' bargain boxes.

 

Thanks for the info! I seldom get to places that have them now. I once lived in Mobile, AL, and there were two, sometimes three dealers at a flea market that had great bargain boxes. Most were worth very little, but I love the history behind all of them, and occasionally there was a nice find. I love all the old British copper. And I loved the time spent talking with the dealers. I bought so much from one dealer that he would sometimes let me have them for 20 or 30 for a dollar.

 

It's a great way to collect coins.

I believe the joy is in the education, the research, the "getting out of the house/office" and the friendships, etc.

Coin collecting is so much more than "just in it for the profit"

 

I'd say yes to the 2 over 2

 

Inspired by your post started having a closer look at some of my farthings and spotted this extraneous spot on my 1863. Anything to write home about?

(In the sea beneath the lighthouse.)

 

... and does this count as an H to the left in 1881H farthing?

 

I think I have found the answer to the dot under the lighthouse variety here:
http://www.predecimal.com/forum/topic/8273-1863-farthing-with-dot-under-the-lighhouse/#comment-92030
Seems to turn up about 30% of the time...

 

Yes, it's almost touching the first 8 and there is definitely a larger gap to the right-hand side

 

Pleased to hear that you have taken "a second look" at your farthings !

Most of the catalogues are poorly illustrated and collectors often don't know what to look out for.

I'm trying to come up with a simple format (list) with clear illustrations of all the major varieties for Irish coins + the interim period for monetary union (British & Irish, 1826-1927). I'm continuing up to the end of the pre-decimal period because British coins continued to circulate alongside Irish coins in Ireland well after Independence.

It's a constant "work in progress" so please be patient.

 

With all the publicity around modern and old bullion coins, its easy to forget that there is much easier profits to be made on old copper/bronze coins - especially if one knows what errors/varieties to look for.
- the jump in retail prices for an error/variety are quite staggering
- and, of course, its more fun searching for them !

 

The coin I posted sellers pi s of previously arrived yesterday. I'm happy with how it looks in hand. The reverse is great, the oversee has a couple issues. Excited for my next cherry pick!

 

Beautiful coin - great picking !

You seem to have an eye for a good coin.
Keep up the good work.

 

Thanks! Here's another one I recently obtained. Not nearly as nice but an overdate nonetheless.

 

True ... on both counts !

Careful checking really does pay dividends.