Sixpence 1573 Double Date & 1/2D 1749 Grade

[WilliamIII]

Hi!
I have a question about my 1573 sixpence. It has a double-date like you can see on this picture:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/100491455@N07/9549473696/in/set-72157635145624698

I want to know if it is frequent for that year/type. I searched on the net for another double-dated sixpence but I didn't find anyone.

Also, I would like to know if you can help me grading my new half penny. This is my first with all these details and I am a little bit lost

http://www.flickr.com/photos/100491455@N07/9546682515/in/set-72157635145624698/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/100491455@N07/9546681423/in/set-72157635145624698/

Thank you very much!

[TomGoodheart]

Hi!

I have a question about my 1573 sixpence. It has a double-date like you can see on this picture:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/100491455@N07/9549473696/in/set-72157635145624698

I want to know if it is frequent for that year/type. I searched on the net for another double-dated sixpence but I didn't find anyone.

Thank you very much!

Hi William. Your sixpence is, as most coins of the time were, hammered. Which is to say it was individually made by placing a planchet (blank silver disk) between two metal dies and then the top die was struck very hard with a hammer (probably a couple of times) to impress the design into the silver.

What this means is that each coin is unique. Quite often the planchet shifts a bit between hammer blows, causing the design to be doubled. Not uncommon with such coins.

It was only in the mid-1600s that people started to make coins using machines. Before that it was really only done experimentally. Machines of course use the same amount of pressure each time and combined with machine cut planchets give you a more uniform output of coins. Such as your halfpenny which is an example of early milled (machine made) coinage.

My main interest is hammered coinage so I'm less experienced with grading milled coins. But I'd say your halfpenny is Fine, which my book says is "A coin that exhibits considerable wear to the raised surfaces of the design ..." Other more knowledgeable members may feel differently and I'd trust them!

Edited August 19, 2013 by TomGoodheart

[WilliamIII]

Thank you for the information. I knew it was hammered but I never thought of the pressure...

And for the grade, I will wait for other's opinion, but Fine is the average grade I found on some pictures on the Net.

Thanks!