Die Varieties of the 1888 Half Penny

For the 1888 half penny there are six 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.
Obverse 2S:
- BRITANNIAR is misaligned.
- Striations are present.
Obverse 3:
- BRITANNIAR is misaligned with a slightly repunched first R.
Obverse 4:
- BRITANNIAR is aligned with a strongly repunched first R.
Obverse 5:
- BRITANNIAR is misaligned with a low T.
Obverse 6S:
- BRITANNIAR is aligned with a repunched R.
- The V and R in Victoria has been repunched.

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.

	The spacing is measured between the eights.

The letters V and R are repunched in Victoria for the obverse 6 type.

Obverse Dies: BRITANNIAR
Well aligned BRITANNIAR; Repunched first I; Slightly rasied T

Misaligned BRITANNIAR; T has a crooked top; Die clash striations
Misaligned BRITANNIAR; Slightly repunched first R
Well aligned BRITANNIAR; Repunched first R
Misaligned BRITANNIAR; Low T
Significantly repunched R; Repunched V and R in Victoria

Obverse Dies: BRITANNIAR
Well aligned BRITANNIAR. Repunched first I; Slightly rasied T

Misaligned BRITANNIAR; T has a crooked top; Die clash striations
Misaligned BRITANNIAR; Slightly repunched first R

Obverse Dies: BRITANNIAR
Well aligned BRITANNIAR; Repunched first R

Misaligned BRITANNIAR; Low T
Significantly repunched R; Repunched V and R in Victoria

Reverse Dies: The Date
Large Spacing

Narrow Spacing

Reverse Dies:
The Date
Wide 88

Narrow 88

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