January 2, 2024
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For the 1861 penny there are ten die varieties consisting of nine obverse dies paired with six reverse dies.  The differences can be noted in the date and in the fraction.

1861 Penny
Obverse Reverse
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  • Obverse 1S:
    • The spacing between the one and the one is 5.98 mm.
    • The spacing between the one and the eight is 1.11 mm.
    • The spacing between the eight and the six is 0.79 mm.
    • The spacing between the six and the one is 0.90 mm.
    • The eight is below the horizontal while the six is slightly below the horizontal.
    • The eight in the date has been significantly repunched.
    • Striations are visible.
  • Obverse 2:
    • The spacing between the one and the one is 5.66 mm.
    • The spacing between the one and the eight is 1.01 mm.
    • The spacing between the eight and the six is 0.56 mm.
    • The spacing between the six and the one is 0.95 mm.
    • The eight and the six are on the horizontal.
  • Obverse 2S:
    • Similar to type 2 but with striations.
  • Obverse 3:
    • The spacing between the one and the one is 5.82 mm.
    • The spacing between the one and the eight is 1.01 mm.
    • The spacing between the eight and the six is 0.58 mm.
    • The spacing between the six and the one is 1.06 mm.
    • The the eight is slightly below the horizontal and the six is below the horizontal.
  • Obverse 4S:
    • The spacing between the one and the one is 6.83 mm.
    • The spacing between the one and the eight is 1.01 mm.
    • The spacing between the eight and the six is 0.58 mm.
    • The spacing between the six and the one is 0.90 mm.
    • The eight is below the horizontal and the six is on the horizontal.
    • Striations are visible.
  • Obverse 5:
    • The spacing between the one and the one is 5.40 mm.
    • The spacing between the one and the eight is 0.85 mm.
    • The spacing between the eight and the six is 0.42 mm.
    • The spacing between the six and the one is 0.74 mm.
    • The eight and the six are on the horizontal.
  • Obverse 6:
    • The spacing between the one and the one is 5.29 mm.
    • The spacing between the one and the eight is 0.90 mm.
    • The spacing between the eight and the six is 0.53 mm.
    • The spacing between the six and the one is 0.74 mm.
    • The the eight is slightly below the horizontal and the six is slightly above the horizontal.
  • Obverse 6S:
    • Similar to type 6 but with striations.
  • Obverse 7:
    • The spacing between the one and the one is 5.50 mm.
    • The spacing between the one and the eight is 0.95 mm.
    • The spacing between the eight and the six is 0.51 mm.
    • The spacing between the six and the one is 0.74 mm.
    • The eight and the six are on the horizontal.
  • Reverse A:
    • The fraction has a rounded three.
    • The second S in STATES has be repunched three times.
  • Reverse B:
    • The fraction with rounded three has been repaired.
    • This is similar to the 1858 reverse die A.
    • The second S in STATES has be repunched two times.
  • Reverse C:
    • The fraction has a sharp three.
    • The E in STATES has be repunched.
  • Reverse D:
    • The fraction has a sharp three.
    • The angle between the numerator and the bar is smaller when compared to the other dies. The one of the denominator touches the bar.
  • Reverse E:
    • The fraction has a sharp three but the digits are small.
    • The ES in STATES have not been repunched.
  • Reverse F:
    • The fraction has a sharp three but the one is larger than the three.
For more close up images of this coin,
see under the microscope page.

missing image The spacing is measured between the digits and the horizon is from the one to the one.

Striations are visible on some of the coins.

Obverse Dies:  The Date
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High 8
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Repunched 6
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Large spacing between the 6 and the 1
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Small spacing between the 6 and the 1
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Right 8
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Low 8
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Similar to type 5,
but larger spacing between the 1 and the 8
and horizontal date.

Obverse Dies:  VICTOR in VICTORIA
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Obverse Dies:  REGINA
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Reverse Dies:  1/13

Normal fraction

Repaired fraction

Short fraction

Short fraction with small angle

Fraction with sharp 3 and shorter digits

Fraction with a small 3

Reverse Dies:  SHILL in SHILLING

Reverse Dies:  LLING in SHILLING
Obverse Dies:  The Date
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High 8
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Repunched 6
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Large spacing between the 6 and the 1
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Small spacing between the 6 and the 1
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Right 8


Obverse Dies:  The Date
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missing Die6S

Low 8
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Similar to type 5,
but larger spacing between the 1 and the 8
and horizontal date.

Obverse Dies:  VICTOR in VICTORIA
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Obverse Dies:  VICTOR in VICTORIA
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missing Die6S
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Obverse Dies:  REGINA
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Obverse Dies:  REGINA
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missing Die6S
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Reverse Dies:  1/13

Normal fraction

Repaired fraction

Short fraction


Reverse Dies:  1/13

Short fraction with small angle

Fraction with sharp 3 and shorter digits

Fraction with a small 3

Reverse Dies:  SHILL in SHILLING


Reverse Dies:  SHILL in SHILLING

Reverse Dies:  LLING in SHILLING


Reverse Dies:  LLING in SHILLING

Reverse Dies:  STATES



Return to Part Three:  Thirteen Pence to a Shilling - Queen Victoria Copper Issues