Minor differences in Britannia's hair 1862 Penny.

[absence of uniformity]

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.

 

[absence of uniformity]

Here you can see the legends and the leaves.

[absence of uniformity]

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,

[jelida]

Buy the coin if it ticks boxes in your collection, but not just because of the doubling which is so common as to be normal especially in the earlier years of this coinage.

Jerry

[secret santa]

Yes, buy it if you like it but, in my opinion, there's nothing really to get excited about.

[Peckris 2]

I agree with Richard and Jerry - there's nothing there that couldn't be accounted for by a difference in grade or die wear, or an infinitesimal recutting of the tiniest details.

[absence of uniformity]

On 3/14/2026 at 7:54 PM, jelida said:

Buy the coin if it ticks boxes in your collection, but not just because of the doubling which is so common as to be normal especially in the earlier years of this coinage.

Jerry

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

[absence of uniformity]

On 3/14/2026 at 8:05 PM, secret santa said:

Yes, buy it if you like it but, in my opinion, there's nothing really to get excited about.

Understood thank you.

[absence of uniformity]

55 minutes ago, Peckris 2 said:

I agree with Richard and Jerry - there's nothing there that couldn't be accounted for by a difference in grade or die wear, or an infinitesimal recutting of the tiniest details.

Ok thank you for this.

[jelida]

22 hours ago, absence of uniformity said:

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

And welcome to the forum. It is good to question any anomalies you may spot as true new varieties are still out there - at least three genuinely significant new Victorian pennies have first been described here over the last decade or so. Don’t be afraid to keep posting and show any interesting acquisitions.

Jerry

[absence of uniformity]

51 minutes ago, jelida said:

And welcome to the forum. It is good to question any anomalies you may spot as true new varieties are still out there - at least three genuinely significant new Victorian pennies have first been described here over the last decade or so. Don’t be afraid to keep posting and show any interesting acquisitions.

Jerry

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.