1843 groat with possible 'over-stuck' '8'

[impgreene]

I used to collect coins in my youth and acquired a Groat where the ‘8’ of 1843 has been stuck over another number or strike – I suspect it isn’t another number, as the lower hole of the ‘8’ has been over-stuck (thus appearing as though there is a solid line in it) and there is a very small protrusion out of the top of the ‘8’ (i.e. the eight looks like it has a very small strike coming out of its top at the exact centre).

I managed to take a relatively detailed picture, but I couldn't upload it due to the upload limits of the site – apologies.

It’s possible that it is not in fact an over-strike, but could instead be a mould problem or some problem with the manufacturing process, but it does look like some form of over-strike (the only thing that leads me to think it might not be is that I cannot think what would be over-struck to produce the changes to the ‘8’ seen).

In terms of grading, all the wording and number on the coin is very clearly visible, and you can very clearly see the outline of Victoria and Britannia, however, Victoria’s inner detail has been worn almost smooth whilst for Britannia some internal detail is visible (such as the pleats in the skirt of the robe and St. George’s cross on the shield) but the rest is relatively ‘smooth’ – if I had to guess I’d say the grading is ‘Very Good’, but that is taking me back 20 years, so I’m not sure!

If anyone knew whether this was an ‘interesting’ coin, and if so if it has any value I would be interested to know.

Thanks for any help you can give.

[impgreene]

I have done a bit more research on the quality, I would say it is 'fine' rather than 'very good' - sorry.

[Peckris]

I have done a bit more research on the quality, I would say it is 'fine' rather than 'very good' - sorry.

If Victoria has been worn almost smooth, then the coin wouldn't even rate Fair (which is the equivalent of VG) - for Fine you should be able to see all design features except the highest. For example you have to see hairlines - at least some.

As for your picture, we would need to see it really : try compressing it in an image editor (you can reduce a JPEG to less than half full quality for example, which cuts down the file size to around a quarter or even less than full quality. And if you reduce the actual image size a bit, that will also reduce the file size. It's worth pointing out that Dave - azda - posts HUGE images that still come in under 150k; no, I don't know how he does it..!) If your image isn't a JPEG, maybe that's the problem? Some other formats have very large file sizes.

[impgreene]

I have played around with the image and brought it down to within the limits - please see attached.

On the grading, I tracked down some pictures of the gradings on another website (i.e. that showed coins for sale that were certain grades, along with a description of the grade) - I did try my best!

Thanks for your help.

[impgreene]

Let's try again with the attachment!

[Peckris]

Let's try again with the attachment!

Your verbal description was way too harsh! I'd say that's a clear Fine, that reverse. (Haven't seen the obverse). The problem is, there is still too much wear to be really sure of that 8. Yes, there is something wrong there for sure, but it is highly unusual to see a problem with the first 8 of the date : that tended to be carried across on dies for different dates, with only the last digit or two being punched separately for different years. What is most likely is that some 'foreign matter' may have crept onto the blank when struck, e.g. a bit of metal from the previous strike. Or, it may be a cracked die with the crack developed enough to cause a raised anomaly on the final coin.

[impgreene]

Do you think the coin is of any value (the obverse is slightly lower quality, but I would say still 'fine')?

Or should I put it back into the draw until my son is old enough to pass the collection on to!

Thanks again for your help.

[Red Riley]

Do you think the coin is of any value (the obverse is slightly lower quality, but I would say still 'fine')?

Or should I put it back into the draw until my son is old enough to pass the collection on to!

Thanks again for your help.

Off the top of my head, maybe a fiver or so? Common date but nicely toned and definitely too good for the scrapper.