1839 Victoria Groat - 'Inverted' Die Axis?

[RobJ 0]

I thought that I would start a seperate Thread on this subject, if that is OK, to try to obtain some further information about this coin.

Basically, I managed to obtain an unusual coin in my change yestersday. It is an 1839 Victoria 'Young Head' Groat.

An unusual find in my change I would agree!

However, the most unusual thing about this coin is that it has an 'Inverted' (UP/UP) Die Axis as opposed to the 'Usual' (UP/DOWN) Die Axis used at the time of Issue.

After looking through my copy of 'Spink,' browsing the Internet and discussing it with another Forum Member, the only reference that I could find concerning an 1839 Groat with an 'Inverted' Die axis is that there were two Proof Issues struck in 1839. One of them has the 'Usual' Die Axis and the other has the 'Inverted' Die Axis. The latter coin is the 'rarer variety' of the two Issues.

Also, as they are both Proof Issues they both have a Plain Edge, Where as the coin that I obtained has a Milled Edge.

I really am at a loss as to why this coin would be struck with an 'Inverted' Die Axis rather than the 'Usual' Die Axis which should have been present on other Circulating coins.

Perhaps it is a previously unknown variation? I'm really not sure. So I thought that I would throw this topic open to see what you all think.

Any thoughts, opinions or comments are welcome.

[azda 979]

The up/up is the correct axis but a proof of the same year has an inverted axis, perhaps its actually a proof but has obviously been in circulation. Do you have a picture lucky Robj lol

Edited January 9, 2011 by azda

[RobJ 0]

The up/up is the correct axis but a proof of the same year has an inverted axis, perhaps its actually a proof but has obviously been in circulation. Do you have a picture lucky Robj lol

Thanks for that Azda.

My knowledge of Victorian Silver is zero. That is why I thought it best to ask. lol

Here are a couple of Scans.