1874 Penny Missing Horizontal From 7

[Flash]

As it says in the title. It doesn't scan very well but on normal glance there is not even a hint of a cross piece on the 7. If you angle it to the light there maybe a slight hint but there's no signs of mechanical removal or alteration. Partially broken die? What do you guys think? By the way it's worn to hell and was on the verge of being binned. Thanks.

[Red Riley]

As it says in the title. It doesn't scan very well but on normal glance there is not even a hint of a cross piece on the 7. If you angle it to the light there maybe a slight hint but there's no signs of mechanical removal or alteration. Partially broken die? What do you guys think? By the way it's worn to hell and was on the verge of being binned. Thanks.

Probably a worn die. Fairly common in bun pennies and unlikely to have much additional value. Wouldn't bin it though, it's a Royal Mint narrow date and although they come in 101 different varieties, all are at least comparatively scarce, so might fill a hole for someone.

[Flash]

Thnaks for that - probably should have mentioned that I am a dealer so have some experience with this type of thing. I'd just never seen a 7 so obviously missing it's top piece so thought it may have been a type I wasn't aware of. Thanks.

[Peckris]

Thnaks for that - probably should have mentioned that I am a dealer so have some experience with this type of thing. I'd just never seen a 7 so obviously missing it's top piece so thought it may have been a type I wasn't aware of. Thanks.

I definitely wouldn't bin it. The 'worn die' theory is sound enough, but that looks like a 7 that never had any trace of a serif - you'd think there would be some faint trace or portion, but there isn't.

[scott]

if anything i'n sure the serif is acctually slanted at at an angle and doesnt exist because of the exerge

[Flash]

You should see it in the hand it's very striking - or mis-striking

I think it's a worn/broken or partially plugged die rather than a slipped angle as the exurge line doesn't seem to be altered. Going through worn Bun-head pennies is generally a pain I try and put off. I always feel the need to check for over-dates, spacings and the well known types but almost never find them. Luckily with the worn ones there's only so much you can check for. This time though it paid off in that as well as this interesting Penny there was, hiding at the bottom of the box, a 1927 proof threepence. It had found it's way into circulation as they did but still grades a good VF.