1846 Farthing Sized Copper Coin

[Cristatus]

Can someone help me identify a copper coin, farthing size. I have referred to Peck and Freeman and cannot identify it, it is not one of the decimal pattern series. The portrait is very similar to both the current coins and the smith on Decimal series but not the same, on the truncation there is an incuse A&M. The obverse has 1846 below the bust and Victoria to the left of the bust and Regina to the right. The edge is plain. The reverse has a crown over a crossed pair of sceptors and thistle and leaves below, in the field are lines radiating out to the edge of the coin from the crown and I assume are trying to indicate light. Thee is no lettering on the reverse at all. The coin is reasonably well struck, I will try and load a photo later today or tomorrow.

Any suggestions welcome.

[VickySilver]

Pictures of greatest value, if you can. Smith Pattern obverse?

[Cristatus]

photos added

[Peckris]

Like you, I can't find any reference in Peck, or any clues there. My guess - and that's all it is - is that it's a private pattern, possibly as a decimal cent (or fraction thereof).

Or - I've Googled - it's a gaming token? One of the same date and obverse, but different reverse, was sold for a modest amount on eBay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1846-UNIDENTIFIED-UNOFFICIAL-FARTHING-GAMING-COUNTER-QUEEN-VICTORIA-MULE-/370855482414?clk_rvr_id=528453006097&nma=true&si=7HXyv184ZyMDPNWGxeVTNP3wf84%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[Colin G.]

I am with you on gaming counter, the Obverse definitely matches up with some of the Hanover tokens which also bear A&M on the truncation, but there are no examples with the 1846 date that I can see. However the Obverse design is identical (V series in Bryce Neilsons publication on Hanover Tokens).

[Cristatus]

Thank you for the suggestions I would like to follow up the Bryce Nielson Hanover token work, is the publication available?

[Colin G.]

Copies can normally be picked up fairly cheaply, it is more like a pamphlet than a book with no images, a nightmare at first but once you have used it a few times it does get easier to use. Galata may be your best bet unless any of the guys on here have a copy.