SX1889 rev dies


SX 1888 C - Reverse C (Shown for comparison)		SX 1888 C - Reverse C

SX 1889 E or F - Reverse E		SX 1889 E or F - Reverse E

SX 1889 G or H - Reverse F		SX 1889 G or H - Reverse F

SX 1889 J or K - Reverse G		SX 1889 J or K - Reverse G

SX 1889 L or M - Reverse H		SX 1889 L or M - Reverse H

SX 1889 N or P - Reverse J		SX 1889 N or P - Reverse J

SX 1888 B - with reverse C - This picture has been included for comparison as Davies listed that this

reverse die was used in 1889. Having examined many 1889's I have

yet to find a single example.

These are the points I consider one should look out for.

(1) The branch on the right side of the wreath, where the 2nd leaf leans

to right there is a centre hairline twig that does not appear on any of

the 1889 dies I have examined.

(2) The branch and twig arrangement, passed the 2nd leaf, to the right,

the lower branch appears to be continue and is connect to the gap

between the two leafs. The twig above to the 3rd leaf to the right is

not connected to anything.

SX 1889 A or B - with reverse C - I have left this reference available in case an example of this coin turns up.

It is impossible to gauge in which order these following 4 reverse dies were made or used !

SX 1889 E or F - with reverse E - This reverse has some similarity to reverse C but also some differences.

The branch on the right side of the wreath, where the 1st & 2nd leaf lean

to the right there is just the faintest hint left a centre hairline stalk sticking

out of the base. The 2nd upward leaf now appears to be connected to the

lower branch. The branch and stalk after that are not connected to anything.

The thin lower stalk/branch now points in totally the wrong direction going

into the back of the 3rd leaf on the right. On reverse C this stalk was in

fact a branch and connected to the branch going upwards. Not any more !

I have only found one example to this reverse.

SX 1889 G or H - with reverse F - Again this reverse die has some similarity to reverse C.

The branch on the right side of the wreath, where the 1st & 2nd leaf lean

to the right there is still a hint left of a small centre stalk - as per reverse C.

The shape of the 1st & 2nd leaf that lean to the right are also similar. The

branch & leaf stem are just angled slight differently. The branch & leaf stem

after that are now connect to back of the 2nd downward leaf and the stem

of the 3rd downward leaf is also connected at that point. The leaf stem to

this leaf is thin and the branch is thicker. The branch above this 3rd

downward leaf points upwards and to the right.

I have only found one example to this reverse.

SX 1889 J or K - with reverse G - Again this reverse die has some similarity to reverse C & F.

The branch on the right side of the wreath, where the 1st & 2nd leaf lean

to the right there is no hint left of any centre stalk. The 1st leaf to the right

is smaller in size and shape to that on reverse F. The 2nd upward leaf

stem is thinner and coming in at a slight angle to the back of the branch.

On reverse F it look as if where a continuation of the branch.

The branch and stem of the 3rd leaf to the right also connect to the

back of the 2nd leaf. The stem to the 3rd leaf is now much thicker - as

thick as the branch.

This appears to be the commonest of the 1889 reverses. There are some

very minor differences that I have found within this die but to slight to list

as they could very easily be due to die wear, etc.

SX 1889 L or M - with reverse H - Again the leaves to the right side of the wreath have been re-cut. especially

the lower first 3 leaves leaning towards the border teeth.

The lowest 1st leaf is slightly larger - note that the end point is now very

close to a border tooth in comparison to the other previous reverses.

The 2nd lower leaf, just above - note instead of having 3 distinct rounded

ends now only has 2 ! The 2nd & 3rd (end) have been joined together.

The 3rd lower leaf is now larger and the gap between the 2nd & 3rd leaf

is very much closer. The stalk that connects the 3rd leaf now sits much

closer to the branch and there is not the gap as seen on earlier reverses.

I have so far only found a couple of examples of this reverse.

SX 1889 N or P - with reverse J - Again the branch to the right side of the wreath have been re-cut.

This branch is unlike anything seen before !

The branch is far thicker than seen and is NOT connected to any of the

branch or leaf to it's right or above,

The end of the branch when enlarged looks like the head of a snake.

There looks to be the snakes eye and a small slit for its mouth.

There appears to be a single unattached leaf in front of the snakes mouth.

The branch above the snakes head is also just detached.

The leaf design at the lower right end of the upper detached branch is

also different to the norm.

A leaf slightly further up the stem of that branch is also NOT attached.

A poor design and probably discontinued when the die wore out !

My thanks to a collector YB for having purchased this coin from

another dealer and brought it to my attention (June 2022)

As it is only recently that I have been examining, researching and listing these Jubilee reverses

it is possible that there could be several other reverse re-cuts that as yet I have not seen or been

able to list. The Royal Mint engravers certainly seemed keen on trying to sort out the wreath

leaves at the right side.

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