Sovereign Rarities Ltd
Auction 8 15 Feb 2023
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Victoria (1837-1901), bronze proof Halfpenny, 1839, struck over 1843, young filleted head left, W.W. on truncation for engraver William Wyon, date below, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, VICTORIA DEI GRATIA, rev. Britannia seated right with trident and shield, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, BRITANNIAR: REG: FID: DEF:, emblems in exergue, edge plain, 9.44g (Peck 1523; S.3949). Beautiful chocolate surfaces with hints of blue toning in the obverse fields. A pleasing example of one of the few affordable coins from the famous 1839 proof set, practically as struck.
The Latin legend translates on the obverse as "Victoria by the Grace of God," continuing on the reverse as "Queen of the Britons, Defender of the Faith."
The unusual overdate was generated by the fact that the 1839 Proof Sets from which such coins emanate were not all sold at the time of their date but continued to be sold up to 15 years afterwards and some even beyond. Therefore it seems with the Halfpenny at least, the 1839 proper die pieces ran out and a restriking was required. This meant having to source a new proof die at the Mint, and it seems an 1843 dated Halfpenny die was selected for the proof polishing process once the date had been altered. Therefore we see 1839 dated proof Halfpennies that were made after the year 1843 with a date altered from 1843.
The Latin legend translates on the obverse as "Victoria by the Grace of God," continuing on the reverse as "Queen of the Britons, Defender of the Faith."
The unusual overdate was generated by the fact that the 1839 Proof Sets from which such coins emanate were not all sold at the time of their date but continued to be sold up to 15 years afterwards and some even beyond. Therefore it seems with the Halfpenny at least, the 1839 proper die pieces ran out and a restriking was required. This meant having to source a new proof die at the Mint, and it seems an 1843 dated Halfpenny die was selected for the proof polishing process once the date had been altered. Therefore we see 1839 dated proof Halfpennies that were made after the year 1843 with a date altered from 1843.