Understanding Varieties
A "variety" is a coin that differs from the standard design due to intentional changes, die modifications, or production variations. Collecting varieties adds depth and challenge to numismatics, as many go unnoticed in general circulation.
British pennies offer a wealth of varieties, from dramatic overdates to subtle die differences. This guide covers the most significant and collectible varieties.
Overdates
Overdates occur when a new date is punched over an existing date in the die. The underlying date often remains partially visible, creating a sought-after variety.
1848/7 Penny
One of the most famous British overdate varieties. The final 8 is clearly punched over a 7.
Detection: Look for a diagonal line extending from the lower loop of the 8, representing the remnant of the 7's diagonal stroke.
Premium: 2–3x standard 1848 value
1858/7 Penny
Similar to the 1848/7, traces of a 7 are visible beneath the 8.
Detection: Best seen under magnification. Look for doubling or traces within the final 8.
Premium: 1.5–2x standard 1858 value
1862/1 Penny
The 2 punched over a 1. Less dramatic than some overdates but collectible.
Detection: Look for traces of the 1's vertical stroke within the 2.
1865/3 Penny
The 5 punched over a 3.
Detection: Traces of the 3's curves visible within the 5.
Premium: Significant when confirmed
Mintmarks
Mintmarks identify where a coin was struck. Most British pennies were struck at the Royal Mint in London (no mintmark), but emergency production during shortages led to coins from other mints.
Mintmark Guide
| Mintmark | Mint | Location on Coin | Dates Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| H | Heaton Mint, Birmingham | Below date (obverse) | 1874, 1875, 1876, 1881, 1882, 1912, 1918, 1919 |
| KN | Kings Norton Metal Co., Birmingham | Left of date (obverse) | 1918, 1919 |
| (none) | Royal Mint, London | N/A | All other dates |
The Heaton Mint Story
Ralph Heaton's mint in Birmingham was a major private contractor for coins worldwide. When the Royal Mint couldn't meet demand, Heaton stepped in. Their "H" mintmark appears on Victorian and WWI-era pennies.
Collecting note: Heaton mintmarked pennies generally command 2–5x the premium of standard Royal Mint issues of the same date.
Kings Norton Mint (KN)
The Kings Norton Metal Company produced pennies only during the WWI emergency of 1918–1919. Their coins are notably scarcer than Heaton issues and highly sought after.
Detection: The "KN" appears as small raised letters to the left of the date. Magnification helps confirm.
Value: KN pennies command significant premiums:
- 1918KN: £200–2,000+ depending on grade
- 1919KN: £150–1,500+ depending on grade
1882 No H Variety
All 1882 pennies were supposed to be struck at Heaton with the H mintmark. However, a small number exist without the H—either Royal Mint strikes or Heaton dies with the mintmark omitted.
Rarity: Extremely rare; one of the most valuable Victorian penny varieties
Value: £2,000–8,000
Portrait Varieties
Victoria Bun Head Types
The "bun head" Victoria pennies (1860–1894) show subtle portrait variations:
- Laureate bust A: Early style, more angular features
- Laureate bust B: Slightly different hair treatment
- Freeman numbers: Specialists use the Freeman reference to identify specific portrait/reverse combinations
George V Modified Effigy
In 1926, the George V portrait was subtly modified, and again in 1928 (smaller head).
- 1911–1926: Original large portrait
- 1926: Modified effigy (transitional)
- 1928–1936: Smaller head portrait
The 1926 modified effigy is scarcer and commands a premium.
Reverse Varieties
1860 Border Types
Beaded Border
Early 1860 dies feature small round beads around the rim on both sides.
Identification: Look for distinct round dots forming the border.
Scarcity: Scarcer than toothed border
Toothed Border
Later 1860 and all subsequent dies use pointed teeth (denticles) around the rim.
Identification: Triangular or pointed projections form the border.
Standard: This became the standard for all subsequent bronze pennies.
Britannia Varieties
Signature Varieties
Look for the engraver's signature placement:
- L.C.W. below foot: Leonard Charles Wyon's initials
- L.C.W. on rock: Alternative placement
- No signature: Some dies omit the initials
1902 "Low Tide" Variety
Edward VII's 1902 penny exists in two states:
- Low tide: Water line lower, more rock visible
- Normal tide: Higher water line
The "low tide" variety is eagerly sought and commands 2–3x normal values.
Trident Varieties
The trident behind Britannia appears in different styles:
- Ornamental trident: Decorative prong ends
- Plain trident: Simple pointed prongs
Die Varieties & Numbers
Some Victorian pennies bear small die numbers, typically found below the date or in the exergue. These were quality control measures to track die performance.
Freeman Numbers
The definitive reference for bronze penny varieties is Michael Freeman's The Bronze Coinage of Great Britain. Each variety is assigned a "Freeman number" (e.g., F.59, F.77).
Serious collectors reference Freeman numbers when buying or selling, as they precisely identify obverse/reverse die combinations.
Example: "1860 Freeman 10" identifies a specific combination of portrait style, border type, and reverse die.
Die Cracks & Cuds
As dies wore, cracks developed that appear as raised lines on coins. Major die cracks and "cuds" (where a piece of the die broke away) are collectible:
- Minor die crack: Small premium for dramatic examples
- Major die break/cud: Can command significant premiums
Mint Errors
True mint errors are coins that escaped quality control with manufacturing defects. British mint errors are less common than American errors due to stricter quality control.
Off-Center Strikes
Coin not properly centered in the collar during striking.
- 5–10% off-center: Minor premium
- 25%+ off-center: Significant premium
- 50%+ with date visible: Major error
Double Strikes
Coin struck twice, with second strike at different position.
Creates dramatic doubling of design elements. Rare on British pennies.
Brockage
Coin struck against another coin that remained in the press.
Results in incuse (mirror) image of one side. Very rare.
Wrong Planchet
Penny struck on a planchet intended for another denomination.
Extremely rare; major error category.
Clipped Planchet
Portion of planchet missing due to blanking error.
Straight clips and curved clips exist.
Die Adjustment Strike
Weak strike from die setup testing.
Shows incomplete design; less collectible than dramatic errors.
Collecting Varieties
Getting Started
- Focus on one series: Victoria bronze offers the most variety depth
- Get the Freeman book: Essential for serious variety collecting
- Use magnification: Many varieties require 10x or higher to confirm
- Compare to known examples: NGC and PCGS photo archives help
- Join a numismatic society: British Numismatic Society
Variety Attribution Services
Both NGC and PCGS offer variety attribution as part of their grading services:
Variety Resources
- Freeman, Michael J. The Bronze Coinage of Great Britain – The definitive variety reference
- Peck, C. Wilson. English Copper, Tin and Bronze Coins in the British Museum
- NGC Coin Explorer – UK Varieties
- PCGS CoinFacts – Variety Images
- Numista – Community-Sourced Variety Data
- British Numismatic Society