For the 1861 half penny there are six die varieties consisting of five obverse dies paired with three reverse dies.
1861
Half Penny |
| Obverse
| Reverse |
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- Obverse 1:
- The spacing between the one and the eight in the date is 1.02 mm.
- The spacing between the six and the one is 0.66 mm.
- The eight in the date has been significantly repunched, which gives appearance of a dash.
- Obverse 1S:
- Same as type 1 but striations are present.
- Obverse 2:
- The spacing between the one and the eight in the date is 0.92 mm.
- The spacing between the six and the one is 0.55 mm.
- Possible die crack near date exists.
- The one and eight have been slightly repunched.
- Obverse 2S:
- Same as type 2 but striations are present.
- Straight striations exist for 2S-A while wavy striations exists for 2S-B.
- Obverse 3S:
- The spacing between the one and the eight in the date is 0.81 mm.
- The spacing between the six and the one is 0.72 mm.
- Striations are present.
- The eight in date has been repunched.
- Reverse A:
- A short numerator in the fraction is present.
- The two in the fraction has been repunched.
- Reverse B:
- A tall numerator in the fraction is present.
- The 2 in the fraction is 'round.'
- Reverse C:
- A short numerator in the fraction is present.
- The two in the fraction has slightly been repunched.
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The spacings are measured between the one and the eight and between the six and the one.
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Obverse Dies: The Date
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Eight significantly repunched
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Small spacing between the 6 and the 1 in the date
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Small spacing between the 1 and the 8 in the date
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Obverse Dies: Striations
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No striations
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Straight striations.
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"Wavy" striations
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Reverse Dies: 1/26
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Short numerator
Repunched 2 |
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Tall numerator
Rounded 2 |
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Short numerator
Slightly repunched 2 |
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