Die Varieties of the 1877 Half Penny

December 28, 2023

For this coin there are many die varieties to collect. You need to check the location of the H mint mark, the state of the star, and the lettering.

1877 Half Penny
Obverse	Reverse

Obverse 1:
- The star is oddly shaped.
- The second N in BRITANNIAR has been repunched.
- The letters IAR are misaligned in BRITANNIAR.
- Repunched D in D.G.
- Repunched E in REGINA.
Obverse 1S:
- Same as type 1 but striations are visible.
Obverse 2:
- The H mintmark is centered and is in a low position.
- The second I in BRITANNIAR has been repunched.
- The I in REGINA has been reworked.
Obverse 3:
- The H mintmark is centered.
- The R in BRITANNIAR has been repunched.
Obverse 4:
- The H mintmark is centered and is in a high position.
Obverse 4S:
- Same as type 4 but striations are visible.
Obverse 5:
- The H mintmark is in a very high position.
- The letters IAR are misaligned in BRITANNIAR.
- Repunched R in VICTORIA.
- The star is missing a ray.
Obverse 6:
- The H mintmark is low and is very close to D.
Obverse 7:
- The H mintmark is very close to the D.
Obverse 8:
- The letters NN in BRITANNIAR have been repunched.
- Repunched E in REGINA.
- The star has short ray in the North West position, and a thin doubled ray at the East position.
Obverse 9:
- The H mintmark is similiar to the of type 8
- The star appears complete, probably repunched.
Obverse 10:
- Same as type 5, but the star is complete.
Obverse 11:
- The H mintmark is lower than die 1.
- The letters NIAR are misaligned in BRITANNIAR.
- Repunched V in VICTORIA.
- Evidence of repunching at top of D in D.G.

For more close up images of this coin,
see under the microscope page.

Information and images for types 4S, 5,
8, 9, 10, and 11 are courtesy of
Phil Warrington

Obverse Dies: The Mint Mark
Star burst H Close to D
Low Centered H
Centered H
High Centered H
Very High H close to D Missing Ray in Star
H close to D
Low H close to D
Short Ray Star
Complete Star Maybe Repunched
High H
Low H