2013 2 Pence

[davidrj]

Just pulled 3 2013 2 pence from my pocket change - looking to pick one to keep[

One is normal, the other two have approx 120 degree die rotation, ie with obverse normal at 12 o'clock, the reverses are about 8 o'clock

A sample of 2 out of 3 not a good statistical sample as they could well all have come out the same mint bag

does this happen often these days?

[Rob]

I suspect not. It also suggests the fixing hole for the dies in the press are triangular or hexagonal. Given the existence of inverted die axis pennies in recent years, a hexagonal form is suggested.

[davidrj]

it's actually worse than I thought - two different die rotations!

these three 2 pence carefully positioned on the scanner with the tops of the shields aligned with a ruler as best I could

the other shield twopences I have (not 2013) all appear normal

be interested to see whether this sloppiness at the Mint is normal for this issue - check your change please folk

[Coinery]

Something quite ill in me has materialised from this thread, I crazily set aside 3 coins from my pocket change at the pub, and thought (for the first time ever) THAT would be nice!

I definitely need a horse tranquilizer to set me straight! I couldn't even justify it would be an investment for my son!

[Asumel]

Bit of a beginners question, but what is the significance of the die rotations?

[Peckris]

Bit of a beginners question, but what is the significance of the die rotations?

For most of coin history, the coin axis was ↑↓, which means if you rotate it horizontally, the reverse is upside down in relation to the obverse. From some point in the 19th Century it changed to ↑↑ (i.e. the same way up). Severely out of alignment = a misstrike and used to mean potentially collectable. Nowadays it just points up the shoddy workmanship of the Royal Mint. I personally wouldn't get excited about such things.