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When I first became aware of this suggested variety I was a little sceptical that it really could be another ‘inverted die’ mistake. Of course there are several established legend error varieties of this type, for example the V/ Inverted A’s seen on the 1860 penny and 1854 Half Penny, also the rare 1861 overdates 8/6 and 6/8, but the positions and distance of the relevant letters on the 1858 penny seemed to make an F/B mistake less plausible. Also the protrusions of the underlying B on the first picture I saw were not entirely convincing. I decided to hold judgement until I could acquire a high grade example; pictures of this coin are now attached. Shot at 120x magnification the top two pictures are the F and B from the actual coin. I have then lassoed (by hand) the bits of B showing under F, highlighted these in yellow, and amended the image in PhotoStudio to 50% transparency……..this is bottom left. The final stage, bottom right, is an overlay of this picture on top of the B of BRITANIAR. It seems to me that the protrusions are a good match, and a strong indication that this is indeed a valid error variety, but I would welcome the views of other members. I have only seen a handful of coins struck from this amended die. If Pete has acquired 3 then I think he has done very well. Perhaps once that ‘Victorian Copper Penny’ book is written he will be able to sell his spares at the same price as say an 1861 6/8!

The 1 pence looks like it has been etched with acid, the unexposed bits had a resist painted on and then the coin placed in a solution of whatever acid will eat away the unprotected parts. left in just long enough to strip away the first few microns.

Indeed it is.

Here is one I recently bought. Again decimal but a nice error, at least I think so.

If the part at the bottom is raised, it's a cud, otherwise possibly a lamination error. I have absolutely no idea what happened to that 1 penny though, I can only guess at a lamination error. if it's genuine that is a stonker. Love the square parts on the obverse!

One for you, Nordle?

Emboldened bit made me cringe MBE. I'd seriously consider getting a decent cabinet for your coins - Try Peter Nichols they are the best available in my opinion.

Andonstar microscope. Cheap and does the job, cannot recommend it enough. Loads on eBay which is where I got mine.

Superb work alfnail and chingford! it's certainly one heck of an optical illusion that the B looks much bigger than the F. i concede: Penny Boys 1 Everything Else 0

Wouldn't hesitate to agree with that logic. Very strange to have such uniform shapes with lamination errors.

I know I wouldn't mind this in my collection.

Not for me I'm afraid, wrong type of penny

I overlaid several letters, best fit below, Ian Fall has a similar overlay coloured that are probably a little clearer. The B also is the First letter of the next part of the legend, which would fit with the error.

The image doesn't show it well but there should be a very obvious second/stepped rim, similar to the below: