Victoria Incuse Die Trial for Farthing 1838

[Hussulo 6]

Hi all I purchased this GB Victoria Incuse Obverse Die Trial for Farthing 1838. Almost full lustre and GEF for the incuse trial side, other side more or less rough metal with ghost impression of obv in relief and inked number 223.

Can anyone give me any information on such peices? I don't have any relevant documentation on these.

I contacted the Britih Museum and they said:

"Thank you for your enquiry. It is possible this got made during the die-production process, since dies are checked at every stage by producing test impressions. The best place to go for information on your coin is the Royal Mint: museum@royalmint.gov.uk"

I have since contacted the Royal Mint but yet to hear back from them.

[Chris Perkins 228]

You won't hear back from them for some time, if at all!

[Hussulo 6]

You won't hear back from them for some time, if at all!

Why? is it a fake?

[Chris Perkins 228]

I have no idea, probably not.

They're just not great at replying to people. When you send a coin they keep it for a year before sending it back. I had to wait about that long for my specially struck BNS medal.

So, a simple letter, or an email without anything laying around to remind them, I don't fancy your chances!

I suppose we should be grateful that they give their expertise for free at all.

[Hussulo 6]

I have no idea, probably not.

They're just not great at replying to people. When you send a coin they keep it for a year before sending it back. I had to wait about that long for my specially struck BNS medal.

So, a simple letter, or an email without anything laying around to remind them, I don't fancy your chances!

I suppose we should be grateful that they give their expertise for free at all.

Thats a shame, I don't belive it to be fake it is 22mm wide and only slightly under weight compared with a farthing of that era (according to my father in laws scales) at 4.3 grams.

Can you tell me anymore about it Chris?

[Chris Perkins 228]

I'm not sure Hussulo, I would suspect that what the BM say is probably true. It's not possible that it could be an error. I'd say it's some kind of experiment. There is an ex Royal mint employee that does coin evaluations. He hates me, but if you google on 'Robert Matthews coins' or something and contact him, make sure you tell him that I of predecimal.com recommended him!

[Rob 3,152]

There are lots of mint trials circulating. The problem is that they are all unique or likely to be so, therefore nobody has produced a list. I record those relevant to my collecting area, but every few months a new one crops up. I'm not even sure the mint knows what was produced.