Portcullis Varieties On Decimal Penny

[davidrj 194]

came across this today - portcullis varieties

The author states type 1 (left picture) 1971-94, 1997, 1998 Type 2 (right picture) 1992-7

No info as to whether these are normal currency, specimen sets or proofs

how these relate to David Groom's reverses A to C unknown

Never really looked at decimal bronze, maybe I should before all the non-magnetic stuff gets withdrawn & melted down

[scott 145]

the copper ones are slightly differant, the earlier copper ones the design is more raised, you can rub your finger over the top of it the design is sharper to the touch. so it might be something to do with that.

[DaveG38 420]

Drat and double drat - yet another addition to the book. The possibility of varieties in the decimal series is something I mention in my books, as basically most large scale studies of decimal coins seem to have stopped around 1982 or so. Since then I haven't been able to find any studies, leaving the field clear for anyone to carry out this work and go down in numismatic history - or at least get a mention on here!

I'm unclear exactly which years have the type 1 and type 2 portcullis, so can't be sure whether there are varieties in individual years. However, a quick check through my pot of copper waiting to go to the bank shows that all pre-1994 are type 1 and post 1997 are type 2. However, in 1994, I have found both types, so clearly either the changeover occurred in 1994 or the two reverse dies were used for several years and I haven't yet found any examples to back this up. At the risk of extreme boredom, I might go down to the bank and take out a significant amount of copper with the idea of trying to establish the 'rules' for this design change.

Edited September 23, 2013 by DaveG38

[AardHawk 73]

[DaveG38 420]

1p 1994 reverses (Custom) (2).jpg

Excellent.

[davidrj 194]

1p 1994 reverses (Custom) (2).jpg

Thanks, much clearer picture! Are there any other varieties in the later decimal bronze we need to be on the lookout for?

[DaveG38 420]

So far, I've looked through 400 pennies and found that the two types are present in 1991, 1993, 1994, and interestingly 2007. Only 1600 more to look through!!

[declanwmagee 122]

So far, I've looked through 400 pennies and found that the two types are present in 1991, 1993, 1994, and interestingly 2007. Only 1600 more to look through!!

Dave, please! Life's too short!

[DaveG38 420]

So far, I've looked through 400 pennies and found that the two types are present in 1991, 1993, 1994, and interestingly 2007. Only 1600 more to look through!!

Dave, please! Life's too short!

I know, but its been a lovely sunny day, I've been out walking on the coast, had a very nice pub lunch and a relaxing sunbathe in the late afternoon, so I'm nicely relaxed for a bit of eyeglass work.

[just.me 23]

Drat and double drat - yet another addition to the book. The possibility of varieties in the decimal series is something I mention in my books, as basically most large scale studies of decimal coins seem to have stopped around 1982 or so. Since then I haven't been able to find any studies, leaving the field clear for anyone to carry out this work and go down in numismatic history - or at least get a mention on here!

I'm unclear exactly which years have the type 1 and type 2 portcullis, so can't be sure whether there are varieties in individual years. However, a quick check through my pot of copper waiting to go to the bank shows that all pre-1994 are type 1 and post 1997 are type 2. However, in 1994, I have found both types, so clearly either the changeover occurred in 1994 or the two reverse dies were used for several years and I haven't yet found any examples to back this up. At the risk of extreme boredom, I might go down to the bank and take out a significant amount of copper with the idea of trying to establish the 'rules' for this design change.

1986 is the earliest I have found type 2 portcullis with incuse rivets.

There are quite a few varieties in the reverses and obverses over the years if you compare the circulation issues, the BU set issues and the proof issues. Even though the pictures above show type 1 portcullis as having 110 beads and type 2 having 113 beads, it is not always the case, you can get the type 2 portcullis with the 110 bead reverse too.

Here are the Portcullis types I have in my collection (1971 to 1981 I collected circulation and proof, 1982 and 1983 I collected BU set and proof issues and 1984 >2008 I collected circulation and BU set issues)

1971 to 1985 circulation, BU sets and Proof have type 1

1986 circulation has type 1, BU set issue has type 2

1987 circulation and BU set has type 1

1988, 1989 and 1990 circulation has type 1, BU set has type 2

1991 both circulation and BU set are type 1

1992 circulation has type 2 and BU set has type 1

1993 circulation has type 1 and BU set has type 2

1994 both circulation and BU set have types 2

1995 to 2006 circulation and BU set have type 2

2007 and 2008 circulation has type 1, BU set has type 2

[davidrj 194]

Drat and double drat - yet another addition to the book. The possibility of varieties in the decimal series is something I mention in my books, as basically most large scale studies of decimal coins seem to have stopped around 1982 or so. Since then I haven't been able to find any studies, leaving the field clear for anyone to carry out this work and go down in numismatic history - or at least get a mention on here!

I'm unclear exactly which years have the type 1 and type 2 portcullis, so can't be sure whether there are varieties in individual years. However, a quick check through my pot of copper waiting to go to the bank shows that all pre-1994 are type 1 and post 1997 are type 2. However, in 1994, I have found both types, so clearly either the changeover occurred in 1994 or the two reverse dies were used for several years and I haven't yet found any examples to back this up. At the risk of extreme boredom, I might go down to the bank and take out a significant amount of copper with the idea of trying to establish the 'rules' for this design change.

1986 is the earliest I have found type 2 portcullis with incuse rivets.

There are quite a few varieties in the reverses and obverses over the years if you compare the circulation issues, the BU set issues and the proof issues. Even though the pictures above show type 1 portcullis as having 110 beads and type 2 having 113 beads, it is not always the case, you can get the type 2 portcullis with the 110 bead reverse too.

Here are the Portcullis types I have in my collection (1971 to 1981 I collected circulation and proof, 1982 and 1983 I collected BU set and proof issues and 1984 >2008 I collected circulation and BU set issues)

1971 to 1985 circulation, BU sets and Proof have type 1

1986 circulation has type 1, BU set issue has type 2

1987 circulation and BU set has type 1

1988, 1989 and 1990 circulation has type 1, BU set has type 2

1991 both circulation and BU set are type 1

1992 circulation has type 2 and BU set has type 1

1993 circulation has type 1 and BU set has type 2

1994 both circulation and BU set have types 2

1995 to 2006 circulation and BU set have type 2

2007 and 2008 circulation has type 1, BU set has type 2

Gollly! any similar discrepencies in the 2p series?

[Peckris 579]

Drat and double drat - yet another addition to the book. The possibility of varieties in the decimal series is something I mention in my books, as basically most large scale studies of decimal coins seem to have stopped around 1982 or so. Since then I haven't been able to find any studies, leaving the field clear for anyone to carry out this work and go down in numismatic history - or at least get a mention on here!

I'm unclear exactly which years have the type 1 and type 2 portcullis, so can't be sure whether there are varieties in individual years. However, a quick check through my pot of copper waiting to go to the bank shows that all pre-1994 are type 1 and post 1997 are type 2. However, in 1994, I have found both types, so clearly either the changeover occurred in 1994 or the two reverse dies were used for several years and I haven't yet found any examples to back this up. At the risk of extreme boredom, I might go down to the bank and take out a significant amount of copper with the idea of trying to establish the 'rules' for this design change.

1986 is the earliest I have found type 2 portcullis with incuse rivets.

There are quite a few varieties in the reverses and obverses over the years if you compare the circulation issues, the BU set issues and the proof issues. Even though the pictures above show type 1 portcullis as having 110 beads and type 2 having 113 beads, it is not always the case, you can get the type 2 portcullis with the 110 bead reverse too.

Here are the Portcullis types I have in my collection (1971 to 1981 I collected circulation and proof, 1982 and 1983 I collected BU set and proof issues and 1984 >2008 I collected circulation and BU set issues)

1971 to 1985 circulation, BU sets and Proof have type 1

1986 circulation has type 1, BU set issue has type 2

1987 circulation and BU set has type 1

1988, 1989 and 1990 circulation has type 1, BU set has type 2

1991 both circulation and BU set are type 1

1992 circulation has type 2 and BU set has type 1

1993 circulation has type 1 and BU set has type 2

1994 both circulation and BU set have types 2

1995 to 2006 circulation and BU set have type 2

2007 and 2008 circulation has type 1, BU set has type 2

Gollly! any similar discrepencies in the 2p series?

What, you mean someone has to count the individual strands in each feather???

[just.me 23]

Yes, the Two Pences also have different dies used on the currency, BU sets and Proofs.

From 1986 through to 1997 there are various obverse dies, L of Elizabeth to either left or right of bead, mostly the circulation pieces has the L of ELIZ to left of bead and the BU sets and proofs have the L to right of bead, there are a few I have found which go against the grain, 1987 proof L is to left of bead.

Up until 1988 the F of F:D: was to bead but in 1989 it is to space on both BU sets and Proof. It then changes again after that

2004 to 2008 BU sets have the T in TWO to space and the circulation issues have the T to a bead.

The same goes for the 5 Pences, 1988 1989 and 1990 all have different pointings

Small 5 Pences, I have obverse 1 as having I in ELIZ to left of bead and obverse 2 as having the I in ELIZ to space.

I have reverse A as having I of FIVE to left of bead and reverse 2 as having I of FIVE to right of bead

so far I have found

1990 and 1991 circul 2+B BU set 1+A

1992 circul 1+B BU set 1+A

1993 BU set and Proof 1+A

1994 > 1997 circul 2+B BU set 1+A

1998 to 2008 having the new obverse, all seemed consistent with the obverse dies, the reverses still differed, circulation having rev B and BU sets having rev A

10 Pences after 1982 seemed consistent as they were all BU set issues up until 1992 small version. The 1992 versions are listed in Chris's check your change book.

From 1993 to 1998 the circulation issues have the 1 in 10 pointing to a bead (reverse A). The BU sets, the 1 points to a space (reverse B ).

1998 sees a new obverse die and there are now 2 used again, obv 1 L of ELIZ to space and obverse 2, L of ELIZ to bead. Again there are still 2 reverses used.

I have found so far

1998 and 1999 BU set with 1+B

2000 > 2007 I found circulation as having 2+A and BU sets having 2+B

2008 both circulation and BU sets had 2+B

I liked the old designs a lot better than the shield types, but at least the shield types will have far less varieties and pointing differences having no teeth or beads

[davidrj 194]

What, you mean someone has to count the individual strands in each feather???

David Groom has left and right pointing feathers for the 1975 2p!

One wonders whether in 50 years time these will all be enthusiastically sought varieties, much as we now cherish the vagaries of bun pennies

I totally ignored Elizabeth halfpennies whilst they were in circulation, modern rubbish I thought, and so I dont have examples of some of the scarcer varieties

[davidrj 194]

Yes, the Two Pences also have different dies used on the currency, BU sets and Proofs.

From 1986 through to 1997 there are various obverse dies, L of Elizabeth to either left or right of bead, mostly the circulation pieces has the L of ELIZ to left of bead and the BU sets and proofs have the L to right of bead, there are a few I have found which go against the grain, 1987 proof L is to left of bead.

Up until 1988 the F of F:D: was to bead but in 1989 it is to space on both BU sets and Proof. It then changes again after that

2004 to 2008 BU sets have the T in TWO to space and the circulation issues have the T to a bead.

The same goes for the 5 Pences, 1988 1989 and 1990 all have different pointings

Small 5 Pences, I have obverse 1 as having I in ELIZ to left of bead and obverse 2 as having the I in ELIZ to space.

I have reverse A as having I of FIVE to left of bead and reverse 2 as having I of FIVE to right of bead

so far I have found

1990 and 1991 circul 2+B BU set 1+A

1992 circul 1+B BU set 1+A

1993 BU set and Proof 1+A

1994 > 1997 circul 2+B BU set 1+A

1998 to 2008 having the new obverse, all seemed consistent with the obverse dies, the reverses still differed, circulation having rev B and BU sets having rev A

10 Pences after 1982 seemed consistent as they were all BU set issues up until 1992 small version. The 1992 versions are listed in Chris's check your change book.

From 1993 to 1998 the circulation issues have the 1 in 10 pointing to a bead (reverse A). The BU sets, the 1 points to a space (reverse B ).

1998 sees a new obverse die and there are now 2 used again, obv 1 L of ELIZ to space and obverse 2, L of ELIZ to bead. Again there are still 2 reverses used.

I have found so far

1998 and 1999 BU set with 1+B

2000 > 2007 I found circulation as having 2+A and BU sets having 2+B

2008 both circulation and BU sets had 2+B

I liked the old designs a lot better than the shield types, but at least the shield types will have far less varieties and pointing differences having no teeth or beads

Thanks - interesting

[Coinery 1,244]

Yes, the Two Pences also have different dies used on the currency, BU sets and Proofs.

From 1986 through to 1997 there are various obverse dies, L of Elizabeth to either left or right of bead, mostly the circulation pieces has the L of ELIZ to left of bead and the BU sets and proofs have the L to right of bead, there are a few I have found which go against the grain, 1987 proof L is to left of bead.

Up until 1988 the F of F:D: was to bead but in 1989 it is to space on both BU sets and Proof. It then changes again after that

2004 to 2008 BU sets have the T in TWO to space and the circulation issues have the T to a bead.

The same goes for the 5 Pences, 1988 1989 and 1990 all have different pointings

Small 5 Pences, I have obverse 1 as having I in ELIZ to left of bead and obverse 2 as having the I in ELIZ to space.

I have reverse A as having I of FIVE to left of bead and reverse 2 as having I of FIVE to right of bead

so far I have found

1990 and 1991 circul 2+B BU set 1+A

1992 circul 1+B BU set 1+A

1993 BU set and Proof 1+A

1994 > 1997 circul 2+B BU set 1+A

1998 to 2008 having the new obverse, all seemed consistent with the obverse dies, the reverses still differed, circulation having rev B and BU sets having rev A

10 Pences after 1982 seemed consistent as they were all BU set issues up until 1992 small version. The 1992 versions are listed in Chris's check your change book.

From 1993 to 1998 the circulation issues have the 1 in 10 pointing to a bead (reverse A). The BU sets, the 1 points to a space (reverse B ).

1998 sees a new obverse die and there are now 2 used again, obv 1 L of ELIZ to space and obverse 2, L of ELIZ to bead. Again there are still 2 reverses used.

I have found so far

1998 and 1999 BU set with 1+B

2000 > 2007 I found circulation as having 2+A and BU sets having 2+B

2008 both circulation and BU sets had 2+B

I liked the old designs a lot better than the shield types, but at least the shield types will have far less varieties and pointing differences having no teeth or beads

Crikey and blimey, good for you!

[Peckris 579]

What, you mean someone has to count the individual strands in each feather???

David Groom has left and right pointing feathers for the 1975 2p!

One wonders whether in 50 years time these will all be enthusiastically sought varieties, much as we now cherish the vagaries of bun pennies

I totally ignored Elizabeth halfpennies whilst they were in circulation, modern rubbish I thought, and so I dont have examples of some of the scarcer varieties

I had to buy my example of the (commonest) 1956 variety from a forum member. But it's still very scarce so I was happy to pay. Lord only knows how many of them passed through my hands when I was searching through bank bags in 1969.

[davidrj 194]

I had to buy my example of the (commonest) 1956 variety from a forum member. But it's still very scarce so I was happy to pay. Lord only knows how many of them passed through my hands when I was searching through bank bags in 1969.

Hindsight is the only exact science

[DaveG38 420]

OK, the survey is complete. 2118 pennies have been checked and here's the results:

1971 63 All type 1

1973 13 All type 1

1974 11 All type 1

1975 12 All type 1

1976 13 All type 1

1977 18 All type 1

1978 11 All type 1

1979 21 All type 1

1980 20 All type 1

1981 17 All type 1

1982 12 All type 1

1983 12 All type 1

1984 12 All type 1

1985 9 All type 1

1986 13 All type 1

1987 33 All type 1

1988 55 All type 1

1989 32 All type 1

1990 36 All type 1

1991 13 type 1 1 type 2

1992 31 type 2

1993 25 type 1 15 type 2

1994 40 type 1 42 type 2

1995 20 type 2

1996 51 type 2

1997 42 type 2

1998 74 type 2

1999 78 type 2

2000 93 type 2

2001 162 type 2

2002 62 type 2

2003 116 type 2

2004 90 type 2

2005 71 type 2

2006 56 type 2

2007 41 type 1 43 type 2

2008 30 type 1 1 type 2

2008 49 New Type

2009 84 New Type

2010 102 New Type

2011 91 New Type

2012 179 New Type

2013 2 New Type

Based on this, it looks like type 1 and 2 varieties occur for the years 1991, 1993, 1994, 2007 and 2008. If the numbers are to be believed, the 1991 type 2 is fairly scarce and the 2008 type 2 is rather rarer. One thing that was quite clear from this survey is that the quality of the strike varies considerably for both types. On type 1 reverses, there are many examples where the portcullis rivets are almost worn away, even where the coin still has lustre present. Similarly some of the type 2 reverses show nearly missing rivets, particularly on the left hand side. All in all, either there are many weakly struck specimens or, perhaps more likely, worn punches have been used leading to details not being struck up properly. The one exception to this was 2004, where I have found a coin without any sign of any rivets, and this specimen still retains much of it's lustre. I can't, in all honesty conclude that it is a weakly struck type 1 although I am pretty sure that it isn't a type 2, as there is no sign of any incuse cutting into the coin, where the rivets should be.

[Coinery 1,244]

OK, the survey is complete. 2118 pennies have been checked and here's the results:

1971 63 All type 1

1973 13 All type 1

1974 11 All type 1

1975 12 All type 1

1976 13 All type 1

1977 18 All type 1

1978 11 All type 1

1979 21 All type 1

1980 20 All type 1

1981 17 All type 1

1982 12 All type 1

1983 12 All type 1

1984 12 All type 1

1985 9 All type 1

1986 13 All type 1

1987 33 All type 1

1988 55 All type 1

1989 32 All type 1

1990 36 All type 1

1991 13 type 1 1 type 2

1992 31 type 2

1993 25 type 1 15 type 2

1994 40 type 1 42 type 2

1995 20 type 2

1996 51 type 2

1997 42 type 2

1998 74 type 2

1999 78 type 2

2000 93 type 2

2001 162 type 2

2002 62 type 2

2003 116 type 2

2004 90 type 2

2005 71 type 2

2006 56 type 2

2007 41 type 1 43 type 2

2008 30 type 1 1 type 2

2008 49 New Type

2009 84 New Type

2010 102 New Type

2011 91 New Type

2012 179 New Type

2013 2 New Type

Based on this, it looks like type 1 and 2 varieties occur for the years 1991, 1993, 1994, 2007 and 2008. If the numbers are to be believed, the 1991 type 2 is fairly scarce and the 2008 type 2 is rather rarer. One thing that was quite clear from this survey is that the quality of the strike varies considerably for both types. On type 1 reverses, there are many examples where the portcullis rivets are almost worn away, even where the coin still has lustre present. Similarly some of the type 2 reverses show nearly missing rivets, particularly on the left hand side. All in all, either there are many weakly struck specimens or, perhaps more likely, worn punches have been used leading to details not being struck up properly. The one exception to this was 2004, where I have found a coin without any sign of any rivets, and this specimen still retains much of it's lustre. I can't, in all honesty conclude that it is a weakly struck type 1 although I am pretty sure that it isn't a type 2, as there is no sign of any incuse cutting into the coin, where the rivets should be.

You're the man, Dave! Whilst I'll never be collecting in this field, or will ever check my change (even though I do occasionally look at my 20p's), I totally respect the methodology and dedication!

Great stats...and just when Declan thought he was free!

[Peter 615]

Declan is no doubt gagging and drooling for his variety fix.

[DaveG38 420]

OK, the survey is complete. 2118 pennies have been checked and here's the results:

1971 63 All type 1

1973 13 All type 1

1974 11 All type 1

1975 12 All type 1

1976 13 All type 1

1977 18 All type 1

1978 11 All type 1

1979 21 All type 1

1980 20 All type 1

1981 17 All type 1

1982 12 All type 1

1983 12 All type 1

1984 12 All type 1

1985 9 All type 1

1986 13 All type 1

1987 33 All type 1

1988 55 All type 1

1989 32 All type 1

1990 36 All type 1

1991 13 type 1 1 type 2

1992 31 type 2

1993 25 type 1 15 type 2

1994 40 type 1 42 type 2

1995 20 type 2

1996 51 type 2

1997 42 type 2

1998 74 type 2

1999 78 type 2

2000 93 type 2

2001 162 type 2

2002 62 type 2

2003 116 type 2

2004 90 type 2

2005 71 type 2

2006 56 type 2

2007 41 type 1 43 type 2

2008 30 type 1 1 type 2

2008 49 New Type

2009 84 New Type

2010 102 New Type

2011 91 New Type

2012 179 New Type

2013 2 New Type

Based on this, it looks like type 1 and 2 varieties occur for the years 1991, 1993, 1994, 2007 and 2008. If the numbers are to be believed, the 1991 type 2 is fairly scarce and the 2008 type 2 is rather rarer. One thing that was quite clear from this survey is that the quality of the strike varies considerably for both types. On type 1 reverses, there are many examples where the portcullis rivets are almost worn away, even where the coin still has lustre present. Similarly some of the type 2 reverses show nearly missing rivets, particularly on the left hand side. All in all, either there are many weakly struck specimens or, perhaps more likely, worn punches have been used leading to details not being struck up properly. The one exception to this was 2004, where I have found a coin without any sign of any rivets, and this specimen still retains much of it's lustre. I can't, in all honesty conclude that it is a weakly struck type 1 although I am pretty sure that it isn't a type 2, as there is no sign of any incuse cutting into the coin, where the rivets should be.

You're the man, Dave! Whilst I'll never be collecting in this field, or will ever check my change (even though I do occasionally look at my 20p's), I totally respect the methodology and dedication!

Great stats...and just when Declan thought he was free!

Coinery,

I've no intention of continuing this kind of study again - it was extremely tedious - so I'm not likely to be reporting on the twopence etc. However, I am overawed by those earlier numismatists in the dying days of £SD, who studied all the pre-decimal material before it disappeared. One individual examined around 250,000 specimens. The name V R Court springs to mind, but there were many others, plus Ron Stafford who examined much post decimal 'silver'.

Dave G

[DaveG38 420]

Declan is no doubt gagging and drooling for his variety fix.

Should we now start to call him Droolin' Declan do you think?

[Peckris 579]

OK, the survey is complete. 2118 pennies have been checked and here's the results:

1971 63 All type 1

1973 13 All type 1

1974 11 All type 1

1975 12 All type 1

1976 13 All type 1

1977 18 All type 1

1978 11 All type 1

1979 21 All type 1

1980 20 All type 1

1981 17 All type 1

1982 12 All type 1

1983 12 All type 1

1984 12 All type 1

1985 9 All type 1

1986 13 All type 1

1987 33 All type 1

1988 55 All type 1

1989 32 All type 1

1990 36 All type 1

1991 13 type 1 1 type 2

1992 31 type 2

1993 25 type 1 15 type 2

1994 40 type 1 42 type 2

1995 20 type 2

1996 51 type 2

1997 42 type 2

1998 74 type 2

1999 78 type 2

2000 93 type 2

2001 162 type 2

2002 62 type 2

2003 116 type 2

2004 90 type 2

2005 71 type 2

2006 56 type 2

2007 41 type 1 43 type 2

2008 30 type 1 1 type 2

2008 49 New Type

2009 84 New Type

2010 102 New Type

2011 91 New Type

2012 179 New Type

2013 2 New Type

Based on this, it looks like type 1 and 2 varieties occur for the years 1991, 1993, 1994, 2007 and 2008. If the numbers are to be believed, the 1991 type 2 is fairly scarce and the 2008 type 2 is rather rarer. One thing that was quite clear from this survey is that the quality of the strike varies considerably for both types. On type 1 reverses, there are many examples where the portcullis rivets are almost worn away, even where the coin still has lustre present. Similarly some of the type 2 reverses show nearly missing rivets, particularly on the left hand side. All in all, either there are many weakly struck specimens or, perhaps more likely, worn punches have been used leading to details not being struck up properly. The one exception to this was 2004, where I have found a coin without any sign of any rivets, and this specimen still retains much of it's lustre. I can't, in all honesty conclude that it is a weakly struck type 1 although I am pretty sure that it isn't a type 2, as there is no sign of any incuse cutting into the coin, where the rivets should be.

You're the man, Dave! Whilst I'll never be collecting in this field, or will ever check my change (even though I do occasionally look at my 20p's), I totally respect the methodology and dedication!

Great stats...and just when Declan thought he was free!

Coinery,

I've no intention of continuing this kind of study again - it was extremely tedious - so I'm not likely to be reporting on the twopence etc. However, I am overawed by those earlier numismatists in the dying days of £SD, who studied all the pre-decimal material before it disappeared. One individual examined around 250,000 specimens. The name V R Court springs to mind, but there were many others, plus Ron Stafford who examined much post decimal 'silver'.

Dave G

Ron Stafford's dedication to duty on the humble 10p defies ... description, belief, everything! The nearest thing I did was being able to tell the 'finish' apart - that rather attractive satin finish of 1968-69, to the plug-ugly 'mirrors' of the mid-70s.

[Coinery 1,244]

The name V R Court springs to mind, but there were many others, plus Ron Stafford who examined much post decimal 'silver'.

Dave G

And you are already in those hallowed circles! Your books will stand until well into the next 200 years! Perfection in coin production did at least give the modern nimismatist longevity in their works!

Edit: U

Edited September 27, 2013 by Coinery