1860 Penny Freeman obverse 1*

[Martinminerva]

Yes, very rare Freeman obverse 1* with thick rim, angled eye etc, but can anyone tell which of the Gouby sub-varieties it is, or are both sides just too worn to be sure?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282904508372?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

Thanks for any info.

[Bernie]

It's definitely Gouby obverse A with Reverse B

[davidrj]

Why do you say reverse B?

[Bernie]

Hello David,

Attached is a picture of one of the die pairs of A+b that matches the Ebay coin. Note the die crack below O of ONE. date spacing and linear circle also a match obverse and reverse. No other known die pairs of other pattern pennies match.

[davidrj]

Thanks Bernie

 

[Martinminerva]

Thanks indeed, Bernie.

So, is it only definitely Gouby obverse A from the match of dies? Is there a way of telling Gouby A from B on a coin as worn as this?

[Bernie]

Not easily !

The colon dot after F D is very close to the O of HONI SO. The O of Honi so sometimes appears as an indentation.

Having pictures of all known pattern penny die pairs does make identification possible unless coin is below VG.

[secret santa]

Bernie, let me understand exactly what you're saying. Is it that only coins with reverse b that have that particular die crack and the close, sloping date figure 0 ? Whilst accepting that some reverse b coins have neither the die crack nor the 0 in the same position ?

[Bernie]

What I am saying is that this particular coin on Ebay does match the coin die pairing that I have pictured. Obviously the die cracks may not be visible on some of the earliest striking from the same die pairs. It is lucky that the die cracks on the ebay coin do match to a degree the coin that I have pictured. The exact position of these die cracks do not appear on any other different die pairs of other varieties. The position of the date numerals also match.

[secret santa]

Right, so coincidentally you have a coin struck with the same dies that is in much better condition and recognisable as A+b.