1897 High and Low tide.

[Half Penny Jon]

Hi everyone,

Could anyone please tell me how to tell the difference between high and low tides in 1897 penny's. I saw this one below which Spink says is the rare 'high tide' one but I am not so sure.

My Webpage

[Emperor Oli]

Spink pg440

[Chris Perkins]

Yes that's a high tide, the sea level is higher than the rock.

[Half Penny Jon]

Then the coin is worht £300 according to Spink.

[custard1966]

I'm pretty sure that's NOT the high tide variety.

It's the sea level on the right that counts & it's way below where the legs cross.

On the high tide variety it's just below that point.

Also on the high-tide variety the base of the shield is nearly in contact with the border teeth. In this case it's not.

[Half Penny Jon]

Unfortunately I have not got a copy of Peck so I cannot confirm questions for myself all the time.

[Chris Perkins]

Yes, Custard is probably right, I had it in my head it was a Halfpenny, HPJ.

But the sea on the ebay coin is just like the picture of 3961 (on the left on p440)

Anyway 1897 is agood year, so I bought it now

[custard1966]

Unfortunately I have not got a copy of Peck so I cannot confirm questions for myself all the time.

Gouby is the best identification guide for pennies

[Chris Perkins]

Unfortunately I have not got a copy of Peck so I cannot confirm questions for myself all the time.

Gouby is the best identification guide for pennies

I'll be meeting Mr Gouby at the London coin fair, and he'll be bringing me one of his books.

[Master Jmd]

hmm ...all of my worn 1897 pennies seem to have a high tide

[Emperor Oli]

...probably because you've got it wrong

[Master Jmd]

...probably because you've got it wrong

no, the picture is low tide according to chris, and my 1897 pennies have a tide higher then that!

[wybrit]

According to Gouby's book "The British Bronze Penny:"

The “P†of “PENNY†points to a border tooth – low tide.

The “P†points between two teeth – higher tide.

Edited June 1, 2004 by wybrit

[Half Penny Jon]

Yes, Custard is probably right, I had it in my head it was a Halfpenny, HPJ.

But the sea on the ebay coin is just like the picture of 3961 (on the left on p440)

Anyway 1897 is agood year, so I bought it now

I once bought a BU 1897 penny for £18 at my local coin shop. Mind you it was about 5 years ago!