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Sale 31
Pre-Long Beach Coin Auction
| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 3020 |
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Great Britain. Penny, 1859. S.3948; KM-739. Victoria. Large date. High 9. With some luster. A scarcer variety of this underestimated date, and an interesting addition to any collection of Victorian copper coins. NGC graded MS-63 Brown.
Estimated Value $175 - 225.
The Cheshire Collection.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$150 |
Lot 3021 |
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Great Britain. Copper Penny, 1860/59. Victoria Young Head. S-3948. Final date of the huge pure-copper pennies, struck just before the introduction of the thinner bronze coinage in 1860. Very few were minted, and fewer still have survived. One of the classic rarities in the British copper series, with the over-cut date "60/59" clear and sharp. Peck-1521 (called an altered date, rated "very rare," meaning in any condition). The reason for the existence of this coin is not well known. It is clear from the record that 1859 was intended to be the final date of issue for the copper penny, as a Proof is known, which surely signaled an end to the series in the mint's mind. What evidently occurred is that much preparation was given to the new image of the queen, in small form, for the coming bronze coinage, as well as to preparation of a huge quantity of blanks for the new pennies, halfpennies and farthings. Britain was keenly aware that France had made a successful transition to a bronze coinage back in 1852, increasing the mint's seigniorage and decreasing the need for pure copper, as well as the weight of the "small change" in the public's purses and pockets. However, there had to have been delays, typical of any sort of governmental change of this nature, and the new bronze money did not appear for use until December of 1860. There was also a tepid movement in the land to retain the big coppers, seen in the rare patterns in pure copper for the Manx coinage of 1859 to 1864. What it meant for future collectors was that, despite the best of intentions, copper pennies were not on the mint's schedule during most of 1860. This overdate rarity suggests a last-minute attempt to strike some pennies while waiting for the new dies and bronze blanks to be ready. It is reasonable to suppose that this coin was made late in 1860, which also accounts for its very slight use. Very little actual wear but some softness of strike on Britannia's breast which is typical of this rarity (however, the obverse is very sharp). Curiously, the dies show light clashing. Small abrasions attest to its being in circulation for a short time. The color is a most appealing glossy brown, and the reverse shows a little die-porosity, which if nothing else proves the emergency-status issuance of this piece. One of the finest known, and a British classic! NGC graded AU-55 Brown.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
The Cheshire Collection.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$2,760 |
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