absence of uniformity

Thank you for the response. I found the coin early this year by chance. It was the first coin in my collection...! Infact it's because of this coin Im now collecting coins/varieties.. I come across the coin and after researching it I figured it was a rare coin. Since then I have been searching high and low and trying to learn as much as possible. So far I have only been searching for coins that are not listed for sale as varieties, as I'm sure you aware its really addictive the buzz of finding a bargain.

Thank you, here is an example from London coins that was graded VF or better, such a shame mine is cleaned and scratched.. That's really the root of my question how does the cleaning and scratches change the grading.

I found this 1861 2+D coin and assumed it was 8 over 6, because the 8 over 8 I wasnt aware it exists, Then I found this example listed on ebay by Gary: https://www.ebay.com/itm/326784536418 once i started looking for 8 over 8 and then I found a third on London coins. Following sending the information to Richard Sessions this information was added to his website; https://rarestpennies.wordpress.com/1861-f18-8-over-8/ If you have some 1861 coins have a look closely at the 8 will be interesting to know if any others appear. The rarest penny website by Richard has proven really useful and has allowed me to learn alot of information in a short period of time of which I cant thank Richard enough. I enjoy finding coins and going to the website to learn about pairings and variety's, more often than not things are not what I think they are.. It's a steep learning curve identifying variety's and pairings from this series. And would be much harder without a site like Richard's.

I purchased this coin for 6 pound 🙂, so cant be too upset for the light cleaning and scratches. The actual colour of the coin is typical cleaned bronze colour. Given the cleaning, scratches how would you grade the coin? Many thanks.

Thank you ! I Just posted another coin. 1874 with some differences to the back of the helmet plume, possible extra plumes, I'm not sure.

I noticed this 1874 penny with what appears a difference to the back of the helmet plume. What do you think? thanks.

Ok thank you for this.

Understood thank you.

Thank you, I was only interested if the differences count as variety. Now its clear this is not the case.

My question's please to the forum are; 1) Do you think this is machine doubling? 2) Is the difference in the hair as result of machine doubling? many thanks,

Here you can see the legends and the leaves.

Please see the attached image. I have circled what appears to be a difference in the hair both coins are the same year and the same die pairing. The toned coin shows what appears to be machine doubling to leaves in the wreath and to some of the legends. Could this be the reason for the difference in the hair. I have not included a full image of the coin because I'm still thinking whether I will purchase the coin or not.