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Its good not having a collection anymore as i can buy plenty if they are nice 😀 A common year but not in this grade.

Just tried the convex lens few minutes ago, it's so hard to hold it stable to make the zoom correct. I have to admit i'm too poor in taking picture. For the 1881 Penny, it is a Reverse J in view of where the sea stop on both side. However, the lighthouse seems not as fat as it should be and position of the rock on right of the lighthouse as well....or am i wrong about the understanding of the lighthouse of the 1881 Penny.

"Actually, that lighthouse doesn't look quite right for a reverse J. I've looked at my Freeman's 102, 105 and 106, which are all reverse J, and the lighthouses all taper downwards into a slightly broader base in a way that yours doesn't appear to, Bruce. Yours seems more akin to the lighthouse on reverse H." Wrote the original all wrong. Should have been as above.

Actually, that lighthouse doesn't look quite right for a reverse J. I've looked at my Freeman's 102, 105 and 106, which are all reverse J, and the lighthouses all taper downwards into a slightly broader base that yours appears to, Bruce. Seems more akin to the lighthouse on reverse H. Probably an optical illusion, but even so. Be interested to hear the thoughts of others on that one. I'm not sure about the rock.

Thanks for the tips chaps, but I reckon nothing can beat seeing the coin i hand, which is why I've sent it to Ian. It's more probable than not that I'm wrong about the date spacing, but at least I'll get a second opinion based on sight of the actual item.

Just hold a convex lens over the camera lens. Job done.

A simple but moderately effective means of getting a uniform perspective is to use a scanner. It doesn't truly get a great image for depth, however for side by side comparisons it's effective. Of course it only works if the coins in question are in your possession.

I am rather of the opinion that the lack of toning on the high points is not due to the removal of tone by slight friction. I think it is more likely that the coin has experienced light wear centuries ago resulting in the loss of lustre on the high points. The lustrous fields tones nicely over the centuries but the high points do not. Just a thought.

I agree with Jerry, but I am still sure that the date widths must be the same on both these coins. It would be a hell of a coincidence if there were two different date widths paired with the 1841 REG: reverse which both had flaws through the numeral 8, and the letters in VICTORIA, and both have a 1/1. My guess is that the coin pictured right on Mike's pictures is a little angled to the camera and that this gives the impression that the 1 and 8 are closer. There also appears to be either some grime or shadow to the left hand side of the 8 and also a generally darker area between the right of the 1 and the left of the 8.....both these things tend to give the added impression that the numerals are closer together. I attach a picture of what I believe is the SAME obverse on a coin which I have tried to angle in the same way as Mike's right hand picture. To confirm exact numeral locations Mike's coin really needs to be put under a digital microscope at right angles to the coin.

Yes, but that was Scotland. Nicola must have sorted it !