CHRISTO or CHRESTO ?

[coin watch]

Hi Everyone,

I have a Charles I Half-crown I would like to show you all and hope for some expert feedback. Whilst I am very keen on the study of the various mint marks and die pairings of Charles I Tower mint English hammered coins, I also find errors very interesting too.

The reverse legend of this coin seems to show the word Christo as Chresto? to me it looks like the letter I could have been made over an E from a die error, but I am not sure.

What does it look like to you?

[Colin G.]

Hi Everyone,

I have a Charles I Half-crown I would like to show you all and hope for some expert feedback. Whilst I am very keen on the study of the various mint marks and die pairings of Charles I Tower mint English hammered coins, I also find errors very interesting too.

The reverse legend of this coin seems to show the word Christo as Chresto? to me it looks like the letter I could have been made over an E from a die error, but I am not sure.

What does it look like to you?

Hope the image has worked!!!!

Coin watch, there is an issue at the moment with uploading images to the forum, if you e-mail the photos, I will host them for you and provide a link.

[Colin G.]

Here is the image of the coin:

Christo or Chresto

[coin watch]

Thanks for that Colin.

[Rob]

Here is the image of the coin:

Christo or Chresto

Certainly looks like it is over an E. The C looks to be badly cut too as opposed to double struck because nothing else around it shows any signs of doubling. Clearly made after lunch and not before.

[TomGoodheart]

Curious. Of course, someone could have lost a puncheon and used the modified RE of REGNO to make up the legend. That's why I love hammered!

And did you mean die pairings?! While this has been attempted succesfully by the likes of Morrieson with machine made coins where a limited number of dies existed I've never known anyone to attempt this with regular hammered coins. With the number of dies for most issues the very idea makes my my mind boggle!

.

[Rob]

Curious. Of course, someone could have lost a puncheon and used the modified RE of REGNO to make up the legend. That's why I love hammered!

And did you mean die pairings?! While this has been attempted succesfully by the likes of Morrieson with machine made coins where a limited number of dies existed I've never known anyone to attempt this with regular hammered coins. With the number of dies for most issues the very idea makes my my mind boggle!

.

I'm not sure anyone will be able to supply enough examples for die pairing normal tower issues, even as a joint venture. Whilst the odd error, notably different dies or rare combinations such as mules are easy enough to identify, the dies struck without legend error but ever so slightly different will not be. Double striking in particular gives a variation in consistency of strike with hammered.

Nominate the person you like least to do triangle in circle

And to start you off, the Brooker 507 in my gallery has T/F or R in ET in the obverse legend. That's my contribution.

[coin watch]

Curious. Of course, someone could have lost a puncheon and used the modified RE of REGNO to make up the legend. That's why I love hammered!

And did you mean die pairings?! While this has been attempted succesfully by the likes of Morrieson with machine made coins where a limited number of dies existed I've never known anyone to attempt this with regular hammered coins. With the number of dies for most issues the very idea makes my my mind boggle!

.

The REGNO theory is very interesting, thanks.

Die pairings!!! I like to keep a record of the various types that I have seen over the past few years just for my own pleasure, I suppose my use of the word `study` is a bit over enthusiastic, as you say there are just too many to look for and to find the time for. I just find the number of differences in hammered coins very interesting, each coin being unique in its own little way.

You are correct, `studies` are for the experts, I stand corrected as a humble interested collector!!!

[Colin G.]

There is no reason why an "interested collector" cannot study. That is how most of them become experts. Whilst I would not be able to comment on the practicalities of such a study because I don't know the first thing about hammered coins, I would say if you are interested in studying coin varieties there is nothing stopping you commencing such a project.

Six years ago I started collecting farthings, and became fascinated with the varieties that were created by the manufacturing & die maintenance process. I still do not claim to be an expert in this field, but have gained a huge amount of knowledge in this area over this period, and have also had the pleasure of discussing the topic with numerous collectors who I otherwise may not have made contact with.

I have to admit I was hesitant in creating my website on this subject, because of my limited knowledge, and the thought of how others would percieve the information I presented, but I would be the first to admit it has been great fun creating and maintaining the site, and I would recommend it to anyone.