1866 Sovereign - Die 77 - Opinions Welcome

[dicker]

Below is an 1866 Sovereign.  Die 77.

• There are a fair few die cracks on this Sovereign (Not unusual)
• There is the usual missing denticle between the last two digits of the date
• There is a slightly odd texture on Victorias face and neck (not hair)

What stands out to me is Victorias ear.  It is notably unusual - in that it appears to have lines running vertically down through the middle of her ear....

My guess is that the vertical lines are as a result of a die clash where the edge of the shield on the reverse hit the opposing die.... (see below for my poor illustration of what might have occurred)

I note that an 1886 Die 77 went though LCA and appears to have the same feature.  BUT I also have another Die 77 that does NOT have this feature.

Opinions from anyone welcome of course, but tagging in:

@LawrenceChard

@GoldDiggerDave

Best

Dicker

 

 

 

 

 

 

[LawrenceChard]

1 hour ago, dicker said:

Below is an 1866 Sovereign.  Die 77.

• There are a fair few die cracks on this Sovereign (Not unusual)
• There is the usual missing denticle between the last two digits of the date
• There is a slightly odd texture on Victorias face and neck (not hair)

What stands out to me is Victorias ear.  It is notably unusual - in that it appears to have lines running vertically down through the middle of her ear....

My guess is that the vertical lines are as a result of a die clash where the edge of the shield on the reverse hit the opposing die.... (see below for my poor illustration of what might have occurred)

I note that an 1886 Die 77 went though LCA and appears to have the same feature.  BUT I also have another Die 77 that does NOT have this feature.

Opinions from anyone welcome of course, but tagging in:

@LawrenceChard

@GoldDiggerDave

Best

Dicker

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very interesting. It looks OK, as in genuine.

The texture is only on the lower half, and the ear feature is a mystery.

Would be good to see the reverse also.

😎

 

[dicker]

Thanks @LawrenceChard I ran out of time to post a photo of the reverse. 

Attached below.

 

[refero]

it is widely known that on 1866 decided to have a more aggressive ear piercing; hence a specific 1866 portrait

[Seasider]

Doesn't the V of Victoria look a bit odd.  I thought it might be an inverted A but I am not sure.  It does not look like the one from London Coins.

[dicker]

Good spot but it is a trick of the light rather than being an inverted A (sadly!)

Best

Dicker

[LawrenceChard]

1 hour ago, dicker said:

Thanks @LawrenceChard I ran out of time to post a photo of the reverse. 

Attached below.

 

The reverse also has die clash evidence, and also some patterning similar to the obverse.

I still can't figure out how the ear feature could have happened.

I guess that LCA did not mention it.

Your photo and coin both look better than theirs.

There is also the same die crack thrugh the I of DEI.

[dicker]

5 hours ago, LawrenceChard said:

I guess that LCA did not mention it.

Correct, they did not spot the feature / mention it. 

[sovereignsteve]

Looks like a die clash has occured where one die of the pair has come loose without a planchet in place. The inside of the ear will be prominently raised on the die and has been marked by the vertical lines behind the lions, on the reverse die. This will then cause the transfer of those lines on to the inner ear when normal striking resumes.

[Allgoldcoins]

On 19/10/2022 at 18:39, dicker said:

Below is an 1866 Sovereign.  Die 77.

• There are a fair few die cracks on this Sovereign (Not unusual)
• There is the usual missing denticle between the last two digits of the date
• There is a slightly odd texture on Victorias face and neck (not hair)

What stands out to me is Victorias ear.  It is notably unusual - in that it appears to have lines running vertically down through the middle of her ear....

My guess is that the vertical lines are as a result of a die clash where the edge of the shield on the reverse hit the opposing die.... (see below for my poor illustration of what might have occurred)

I note that an 1886 Die 77 went though LCA and appears to have the same feature.  BUT I also have another Die 77 that does NOT have this feature.

Opinions from anyone welcome of course, but tagging in:

@LawrenceChard

@GoldDiggerDave

Best

Dicker

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have seen this feature on a number of Shield Sovereigns over the years, I have no idea how it occured, but I would say if I had kept every one I would have a handfull from the thousands I have seen. So its rare but its not unique.

[dicker]

35 minutes ago, Allgoldcoins said:

I have seen this feature on a number of Shield Sovereigns over the years, I have no idea how it occured, but I would say if I had kept every one I would have a handfull from the thousands I have seen. So its rare but its not unique.

Thanks @Allgoldcoins

[GoldDiggerDave]

The coin has been double stuck causing  the wreath to touch the shield and has caused some ghosting effect around the lower right quarter of the shield. 

Inverted A for V in Victoria 

[dicker]

And this is why the Sovereign is a fantastic coin to collect and research.  

Thanks all for your thoughts.

Best

Dicker