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First thing to do is to ascertain if they really are different obverses: easily done - 13 has the "missing leaf" compared to 12. If so, no need to worry about fractional possible differences around nose/lips/eye area. If they prove to be the same obverse, like Richard and Rob, I don't think there's any significant difference worth noting. Could well be depth/pressure of strike, wear of die, resistance of metal in each blank etc. With the 1899 and other date widths you might see, you really need to get hold of that latest Gouby (2020 additions) as he covers all manner of subtle date varieties - but as we've said before on these threads, many other date widths (and heights!!) are known, even if not catalogued by Gouby yet.

And I had looked at this specimen at £50 in a dealers tray at the Midland Coin Fair many times over the last year or two, but left it thinking it was an F763 (I have several); but when it dropped to £17.50 I thought it worth a punt. On closer examination I think it is an F8B, on the basis of the relationship between last colon and cape, and the position of the 'dimple' left by the worn rose. What do you think? Jerry

And a 1875 'cannonball' from an online dealer, £11 plus £2.50 postage.

Time to show some recent acquisitions, I have had a couple of bargains in the last couple of weeks. Firstly a nice 1898 'last 8 bisects' from the last Midland coin fair, unrecognised and £35.

Yup.