1786 2d, E over H in ET

[Rob]

Another unrecorded variety.

[Peckris 2]

you sure it's H ? Couldn't it be an upside down E ?

[Rob]

1 hour ago, Peckris 2 said:

you sure it's H ? Couldn't it be an upside down E ?

Could be, I suppose. I was going off what I could see in hand, and the little lump to the left of the E vertical isn't blindingly obvious. The small protrusion below the lower bar of the E, made me conclude it was an H. HIB follows ET, so H instead of E would simply mean the engraver forgot about the ET.

[Rob]

Having looked at this more than a few times, I can't see any trace of either top or bottom arm corresponding to an E so will stick with H. A reasonable question though given the small lump in the image, and the upside down B on the other 2d reverse die. Given the date is 1786 in both instances, it may have been the same engraver responsible for both dies. People are creatures of habit.

We could of course compromise and say E over inverted E or H.

Edited December 8, 2021 by Rob

[azda]

What about the V for A in MAG?

[Rob]

On 12/10/2021 at 8:37 PM, azda said:

What about the V for A in MAG?

That looks filled in hand. The inside edges of the V are not straight, but 'ragged' about half way along - consistent with the A crossbar position.