1887 Sixpence R over I

[Bop]

Hi all, first time for me,thanks for letting me in.

I'm curious to know how rare this sixpence is. It has R over I (I think)in VICTORIA..and R over I (I think) in GRATIA.

I'd be grateful for any info. Cheers Bop

[Rob]

R/I is not particularly rare. There are 3 R overs (I, V & which increase in rarity in that order with R/B undoubtedly the most difficult to acquire. It probably doesn't help that Spink only list R/V which is less common than R/I, so there is an automatic assumption that it is rarer than reality would suggest. I would suggest it is scarce.

[Bop]

Thanks for the reply Rob, what do think of the R over I in GRATIA . Cheers

[Rob]

Thanks for the reply Rob, what do think of the R over I in GRATIA . Cheers

It probably is an I that has been used, but the relief of the I looks higher than the surrounding legend which suggests to me the die may have been reinforced. It's difficult to be certain though in 2D.

[Bop]

Thanks.

[Gary]

It probably is an I that has been used, but the relief of the I looks higher than the surrounding legend which suggests to me the die may have been reinforced. It's difficult to be certain though in 2D.

the I in GRATIA appears to have been reinforced too. Look to the bottom right and you can see the remnants of the original 1 poking out above the bottom right serif and to the right of the downstoke so yes probably a reinforced Die.