absence of uniformity

Ok thank you for explaining that.

I have noticed people are very quick here to tell you something it is not. Which may suggest it's looking good for this F being manually punched over a E... or is it?

Yes I know, was too late to edit once I noticed my mistake.

On the subject of the Halfpenny I purchased this coin, poor images I know but looks like HALP.

What's a bit confusing is the visible underlying letter plus the defined line in shown in Red on the second drawing. Has a worker punched the letter F in an attempt to repair part of the E?

1862 PFENNY

ONF 1860

Hi, I cant find any info on a known variety F over E which would read PFENNY on a Halfpenny coin. Please look closely at the attached image. Does it look like F over E? The reason I dont think its just grease filled die is the defined line marked in red in the second image. Many thanks

I found a unquestionable R19 variety. Once received and photograped I will add the coin to this post. I can't beleive it, purcahsed from a UK dealer hence me not naming or showing the piece until tracking shows the item has been sent.

Ok thanks ! I'm going to leave it as is. Not worth messing with.

The black stuff goes right across the coin from VIC GRA

@ggx51 I hope you dont me mind me asking a similar question in this post. @Paddy do you have a suggestion please for the black crud to the left of Britannia's bicep, its quite soft. Originially I was going to sell this coin but it has grown on me alot I love the size and thickness of the coin and decided to keep it.

Although dark and some of the legends filled with crud the coin has good remaining details.

Thanks, I almost have one of each of the progression and one now without a broken tooth. Then I can forget about the recessed ear 😅 Well until better grade examples appear..

Thanks !

Also the uncirculated coins shows obvious ghosting where as the dark does not.

I know the 1915 is hard to find with a good strike uncirculated but in the image I have attached it shows a " Lustrous uncirculated" coin and the the ear looks partially flat at the top. The darker coin I have circled all the wear which is mostly flat areas not shown on the uncirculated coin and yet the ear appears to be untouched. How can most of the face show flat spots but the ear the highest point appears less worn than the uncirculated coin. Or is it a question of a weak strike on the uncirculated coin. That doesnt account for the wear on the darker coin and ear looking to be mostly intact with no flat area. I'm going to guess this darker coin is a recessed ear.

As example this coin is less worn, I cant see a broken tooth. how would you tell? Thanks

One other question I have please ; I know higher grade examples are really hard to come by with the recessed ear. But on better grade 1915 penny that dont have the broken tooth and not much wear to use that as a guide what would be the process be to identify the recessed ear? thanks

Excellent, thank you very much really helpful information.

Can I ask a question please ; The follwing coin is not a recessed correct? There is no broken tooth. Does the ear look recessed to you?

I found this coin to my surprise.

This one I would say is a closer match especially the legends.

Here is another example of a genuine 1775 coin with the closed G's

The following information is for the top coin surrounded in white background; George III, 1775 Halfpenny. First Issue-Tower mint, London. Tower Mint, London. Obverse: Laureate and cuirassed bust of King George III facing right. Legend: GEORGIVS· III· REX· (King George the third.) Reverse: Seated figure of Britannia facing left, trident in left hand, olive branch in right, shield with Union flag resting on left, legend around, date in exergue. Reverse: BRITAN NIA 1775. Catalogue: Spink# 3773, KM# 601. Copper, 10g (actual worn weight 9.02), 29mm, edge plain.