Hampshire 8 (RR). Southampton. Æ penny. 25.96 gm. 33 mm. Bust, in high relief, of Admiral Nelson left; ADMIRAL SIR HORATIO NELSON K.B. around / TAKEN | 9 SAIL OF THE LINE | 3 DISTROYED in three lines across the center; IN • MEMORY • OF • THE • ACTION • OFF • THE • NILE • AUGT 1 • 1796 around. Edge: I PROMISE TO PAY ON DEMAND THE BEARER ONE PENNY x (This is different than the edge listing in D&H; the authors corrected the listing in the Corrigenda). Prooflike Uncirculated; Nelson in dramatic high relief; mint red around, iridescence in the fields; slight marks in obverse field including many fine die polishing marks. Extremely Rare. Historic and attractive.

Ex Spink, June 1972 (tag).

Die polishing was common in this era when iron dies were easily subject to rust. Die polishing marks may look like hairlines but they rise above the surface rather than go into it and they go right up to (actually "through") the raised areas--letters, numbers and images