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1859 Obverse, Reverse & Date varieties In 1859 the Royal Mint started using up all of the dies that still remained after all the minor font changes that had been made in 1857 & 1858 - as repairs. Sometime, late in 1859, the Royal Mint produced a new obverse die - Obverse 2. This new die was an attempt to improve and sharpen the otherwise flattish hair that was below Victoria's hair-ribbons which always looked "worn" even in early strike Maundy and currency coins.
ST - Obverse 1 - In use from 1838 to 1861. This die was always unsatisfactory in the way that it depicted Victoria hair below the hair-ribbons. The hair always looked worn even on choice struck coins. Note that the top of Victoria's ear is clear. ST - Obverse 2 - (Used from 1859 to 1868. This die has solely attempted to re-cut the hair line below the hair-ribbons. Note that the top of Victoria's ear is now covered. The lowest clump of the hair, to the left of her ear is slightly larger and has a clear incuse line. The hair above her ear is now sharply defined with several incuse lines. A far better look for Victoria's hair. The legend around Victoria's head is that used for the Obverse 1D. The C in VICTORIA now has an upper serif at the top. The G in D: G: and in REGINA have a short centre cross-bar. The border teeth remain the same as do the alignment of the legend. * On well worn examples examples it is impossible to determine which obverse is which when Victoria's hair and ear are not clearly visible due to the legend alignment being the same for both dies.
* The obverse dies 1, 1B & 1C were NOT used in 1858. In fact, my observations and listings show that none of the 1858 obverse 'used' dies showed the 'early' style "C" plain, without a top serif (in VICTORIA) ! It is possible that the minor repairs and font changes made in 1857 and 1858 prompted the Royal Mint to completely overhaul the obverse 1 die with obverse 2. As this was the case it would make sense to use up ALL of the old dies that still had use in them (as dies were expensive it would be wasteful to throw away a useful die !). ST 1859 A - Obv. 1 - (F:D: type - A to Ap) The C in VICTORIA is simple without an upper serif at the top and the G in D: G: and in REGINA have a short centre cross-bar. ST 1859 C - Obv. 1Ba - (F:D: type - Ae) The first 'I' of VICTORIA appears to have the corrected repair to the 'I' and it now has a 'full' foot. However, there is a tiny bit of another 'I' below from an earlier misplaced trial punch. The 'C' appears similar to the original 'C' but unlike the example of ST 1857 C2 the 'C' in this example is perfect and un-broken. ST 1859 D - Obv. 1D (F:D: type - Ac) The C in VICTORIA now has an upper serif at the top and is probably 1 size font larger as per ST 1857 C1; C3 & ST 1858 Bc. The G in D: G: and in REGINA have a long centre cross-bar.
ST 1858 Er - Obv.1D (F: D: Type - Ab) C over C sideways in VICTORIA.
1859 Reverse varieties
ST 1859 D - The ties on the reverse on the right side show that they have been re-punched, on the left side but now over the 2 branches. 1859 Date varieties Trying to estimate date size differences has been difficult as there is very little variance between the sizes.
ST 1859 At - Large 59. The top bar of the 5 is flattish. There is a large front bulge. The bulge is oblong. ST 1859 Ay - Smaller 5. The top bar curves up very slightly. There is a smaller front bulge and the 'hole' inside is larger. The bulge is more circular. The font size of the 5 is probably 1 size smaller than the large 5 of this date. The 5 is possibly fractionally below the base line. The 9 is possibly larger and thicker than previous 9's of this date. * The 8 of this date type is double struck - see below. ST 1859 Ce - Smaller 5. The top bar curves up very slightly. There is a smaller front bulge and the 'hole' inside is larger. The bulge is more circular. The font size of the 5 is probably 1 size smaller than the larger 5. The 5 is possibly fractionally above the base line.
1859 Over-dates
ST 1859 Aw - Large 59. 59 over 59. The 5 - It was fairly heavy 'test punch' with much of the under 5 showing - just below. The 9 - not such a heavy test punch but shows below the top bar & bulge. ST 1859 Av - Large 59. 9 over 9. A bit of the test punch of the back of a 9 shows just above and to the right.
ST 1859 Ay - The 8 of 18 is double struck. The 'new' 8 is slightly lower - below the base line Part of the original (underdate still shows above and to the left).
ST 1859 9 over lower 9 (bit showing) and 9 larger than 5
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