1689 Halfcrown

[Geoff T]

Heaven knows there are already getting on for twenty varieties of 1689 halfcrown, but I'm intrigued by one which has come my way which doesn't conform happily to any of them.

It's a second reverse, frosted caul and crown interior, no pearls. So far, so straightforward; it's the obverse which is interesting.

The letter "I" on such coins is generally like a Roman I with curved lower serifs. Mine has no less than three types of "I". That in "Dei" is as described above. Both "Gulielmus" and "Gratia" have such an "I" with no upper serifs at all, while "Maria" has a plain Roman I, i.e. with straight serifs top and bottom.

I suspect a die flaw as there is a clean break through the "G" of "Gulielmus" and the first "L" thereof also has no upper left serif.

Can anyone shed any light on this? If I get a break in my hectic lifestyle I'll try and post a picture.

G