Die Varieties of the 1888 Half Penny

January 2, 2024

For the 1888 half penny there are seven die varieties consisting of six obverse dies paired with two reverse dies. Differences can be located by checking for repunched letters and comparing the alignment of the letters of BRITANNIAR. For the reverse dies there are differences in the spacing in the date.

1888 Half Penny
Obverse	Reverse

Obverse 1:
- BRITANNIAR is aligned. The letters in VICTORIA are clear and strong.
Obverse 2:
- BRITANNIAR is aligned. The letter 'V' in VICTORIA is crooked.
Obverse 3:
- BRITANNIAR is aligned. There is a die crack in VICTORIA starting between the C and the T. As the die was used, the crack spread.
Obverse 3S:
- Similar to 3 but with striations.
Obverse 4:
- The letter 'R' in BRITANNIAR is repunched. The letter 'R' in VICTORIA is slightly repunched.
Obverse 4S:
- Similar to 4 but with striations.
Obverse 5:
- BRITANNIAR is misaligned with a low T. The letters in VICTORIA are clear and strong.

Reverse A:
- The spacing between the eights in the date is 0.60 mm.
Reverse B:
- The spacing between the eights in the date is 0.39 mm.

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

Obverse Dies: BRITANNIAR
Well aligned BRITANNIAR
Well aligned BRITANNIAR Repunched first R
Misaligned BRITANNIAR High I and Low T

Obverse Dies: BRITANNIAR
Well aligned BRITANNIAR
Well aligned BRITANNIAR Repunched first R

Obverse Dies: BRITANNIAR
Misaligned BRITANNIAR High I and Low T

Obverse Dies: Victoria
Clear letters
Crooked V in Victoria
Die Crack in Victoria
Repunched R in Victoria

Reverse Dies: The Date
Wide 88
Narrow 88

Return to Part 4: Twelve Pence to a Shilling -- Queen Victoria