The Bee

Hi, I received another pile of circulated pennies over the weekend and had a look last night. Over half of pennies in this accumulation were end of QV reign 1896 -1901. So far had a look through 1896 and 1899. Under 1899 I have one example where spacing of the 9's are clearly closer together (first one I think I've seen) assuming its Mr Freeman's 1 B (I have the 2006 reprint) not sure if there is any other description. I also started to tidy up 1880 and found just one where the 0 is set slightly higher. Lastly having found missing serif's in 1888 (quite a few so must be quite common) I thought I'd check 1889. No luck so far on 1889 missing serifs, but on comparing my 1889 in the main tray vs the 1889 next best (which I had relegated to the box of next best's) I noticed some differences on the obverse on Victoria's face. I assuming the smooth nose might be 12N and the one with a triangular depression would be 13 N ? Very Best Regard

Many thanks Rob, So there is a Master Die, made out of particularly tough material that is used to create further dies, which need the last two digits added, to mint the halfpenny So, if I check my other 1850's Halfpennies, I should find the same "tooth" on other dates Here is my 8 over 6 / R over R in GRATIA (I think that there is a blob at end of the foot of the E in DEI) Very Best Regards

Many thanks Rob, Great to confirm its an 1858 over 6. But as you say , its even more interesting that the overcut R is different and the date vs the teeth positions are different especially the last eight. Many thanks for sharing the photos ! (I've been determined to get my money's worth since buying my Tomlov microscope - now I wouldn't be without it) I'll photograph the obverse and reverse and share later Query - is it usual for the teeth. including that odd one under the 5, would be identical on different dies ? (the bit jutting out from that tooth looks identical in both examples ?) Very Best Regards

1858 Halfpenny Hi, Couple of images from an 1858 Halfpenny. Wondered if the last 8 might be an overdate ? If not - still very pleased to find a R over R in Gratia Very Best Regards

Usually if I strike a deal with a seller, the seller changes the auction to a "buy it now" at which point I need to keep calm, waiting for it to pop up again, and then quickly buy it. Worked well so far Very Best Regards

Maybe they arranged to buy it privately

Amazing collection Paddy , thanks for sharing !

One possible repair on "F" in F.D. 1862 Penny . Top of the F seems to slope upwards. And an 1858 Farthing , with a slightly broken 5 in the date Best Regards

Minor Addition 1840 Farthing I tracked down an affordable upgrade my 1840 Farthing last week, and was about to evict the previous 1840 in the tray, but before doing so decided to have a closer look at the obverse under the microscope. Not sure if these were repairs or just an accident, V over V in Victoria and T I A over T I A in Gratia I'll just have to find space in the tray or start o new one Best Regards

Hi, I very recently bought a 1964 edition of English Copper, Tin and Bronze Coins by W. C. Peck (I have accumulated quite a few earlier halfpennies and farthings) I'm trying to make sure I describe them correctly This circulated example is from 1699 . I assumed it was Pack 687, but on looking closer the first A in BRITANNIA looks to be unbarred ? (the second A isn't so clear but might have part of a bar) I wondered if this was normal for the standard 1699 ? [The obverse looks a bit better than the reverse] Best Regards

1877 Halfpenny Date Widths and yet another problem with HALF, EYE, EYE, EYE As I was putting my 1877 halfpenny upgrade away in the tray I had a look at some of the others. Currently I seem to have three dates widths The first two are very similar, the last which is in poor condition, is quite a bit wider. Are there any others to look out for ? And in the same small collection of coins along with the 1877 was an 1862 Halfpenny , with what might be a repair to the Right Leg of H, maybe one to the downstroke of L and the back of F all from Half, I, I or I. I. I Very Best Regards

The seller mentions the "This 1863 One Penny Coin features the young Bun Head of Queen Victoria, it has a feature that looks like the 8 over 1, it could be just a dye strike error but either way YOU won't find another 1863 error coin, minted in Great Britain under the Victorian era" Surprised that they didn't comment on the obverse picture 1863 VICTORIAN BUN HEAD ONE PENNY COIN SEE PICS B 173 | eBay Best Regards

Hi Richard I don't think you have anything missing via the link - looks good Very Best Regards

I can see Victoria Bronze Obverse at the moment - Victoria Bronze Obverses – HALFPENNY VARIETIES

Hi Apologies for troubling the list so soon. Having read through Secret Santa's Penny Varieties, I decided to be a bit methodical and work through all of my Victorian pennies, to see if I had anything variety wise which had escaped me so far. I was following up searching for different date widths for 1889 - 1893 pennies and so far checked 1889 - 1892 - sadly they all look the same I did however find while sorting out the pennies a 1860 penny where the date on the reverse has the appearance of being etched in - so you just have outline of the date, I assume its an odd form of damage, as I can make out the same effect on BRITT REG, the coin has been shined (by a previous owner) and is in terrible condition so it doesn't photograph that well - but great to get your thoughts Also thought I'd share a 1890 Penny where the 90 is slightly lower than the 18 - I'd not noticed it before my assumption being that its probably fairly common And I wondered what years you would recommend I should check for "date widths" aside from 1877 and 1889-92 ? Thank you for your help ! Very Best Regards Richard

Hi I had an attempt at removing the old DNA and gunk. 1855 Halfpenny date with 8 over 8 ? 1st 5 over 5 ? and possible overdate on last 5 ? Very Best Regards

Phew, What a comprehensive system and such a lot of information on "historic" and current prices. I guess at some point you need something like that to avoid duplication (I should have done this for my newspapers) and if you decide to sell bits off, it would to keep the Tax authorities happy, not to mention your insurer

The Ebay description was rather erm "odd" as well. "This is a British Victoria Penny coin from 1862, minted during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). It is a copper coin with a brown colour. The denomination of the coin is one Penny. It was manufactured in the United Kingdom, specifically Great Britain."

1855 Halfpenny Could there be and overdate ? Hi I have a few 1855 Halfpennies. Looking again at one of them, it looks as it the second 5 in the date might be over another date ? I wondered, if it is an overdate, what it might be ? Best Regards !

Apologies - just realised I've asked the same question as Paddy !

Would anyone know where I can buy Verdi-care in the UK or would I need to order it from the USA ? Many thanks !

So I've been at it for about a year now 1) I have been building a list of coins I'm missing and those I'd like to upgrade in a spreadsheet : Crowns to Farthings And then (like Paddy) 2) I've been photographing all my current Bronze and Copper date runs and part date runs and am putting them in Powerpoint That way I quickly open the relevant slide deck, Copper Farthings 1672 to 1850, flick through the slides to find a high res image of the current "best" obverse and reverse I find this an easier method to spot if I've found a potential minor or major upgrade [Given my collection is at the other end of the scale of the Penny Collection There is usually more opportunity for a major rather than minor upgrade, it remains a bit of a Spaghetti Western as in " the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"] Best Regards

It feels like a huge challenge. The British Bronze Penny 1869-1901 by Mr Gouby, sets the bar on expectations . High definition colour illustrations coupled with well thought out text are a powerful combination. I would love to see the same for Halfpennies and Farthings. But once you extend to the end of the decimal period, to do it justice, its a shelf full of publications, Your website feels a better and more flexible approach as I have no doubt more varieties will emerge in the next few years which can be captured in a website in a few days, rather than a 2nd edition printed publication. The 1905 smaller 0 is a good example (and jowly QV). Thanks again for the website !

Amazing collection. Thank you for sharing !

Hi Richard Here is what I thought might be 1905 small "0." The "0" does look smaller. Great to get your thoughts Very Best Regards