1959 Half Penny Error

markn · October 08, 2013, 10:49:05 AM

PPH and I picked this up from Wynyard coins on Thursday of last week. It was being sold as double struck. I am pretty sure I see evidence of 5 strikes though. Two with the coin in the original position (rotating between the first and second strike) and then three more after the coin had moved about 6-7mm.

It's a nice glossy brown UNC with an unfortunate rim ding on the obverse.

Australian coin · October 08, 2013, 10:57:47 AM

nice :drool:

markn · October 08, 2013, 11:02:29 AM

Here's a close up image of the reverse showing clear evidence of the first and second strikes. The raised parts of the letters (that look a bit like cuds) are the leftovers of the first strike. The second strike formed the top parts of the letters that remain.

markn · October 08, 2013, 11:03:25 AM

And here's a close up image of the lettering on the obverse. You can clearly see three steps showing evidence of three separate strikes after the first two. Making a total of 5 strikes.

markn · October 08, 2013, 11:03:52 AM

Quote from: 'Australian coin' pid='30087' dateline='1381192067'nice :drool:

Thanks AC. It's a pretty cool coin.

Unicorn · October 08, 2013, 11:40:13 AM

Wow Mark!

Great pics and notations. I really like the triple pic.

markn · October 08, 2013, 12:02:07 PM

I should be working but I am still thinking about this. I think it may have only been struck 4 times. On the second detail picture I am pretty sure strike 4 and 5 are actually the same strike. Perhaps emu666 could chime in here with what he thinks?

Robster · October 08, 2013, 12:07:39 PM

Regardless, a quite unique coin.! Thanks for sharing.!! :yahoo:

trout · October 08, 2013, 12:34:09 PM

Quote from: 'markn' pid='30099' dateline='1381195927'I should be working but I am still thinking about this. I think it may have only been struck 4 times. On the second detail picture I am pretty sure strike 4 and 5 are actually the same strike. Perhaps emu666 could chime in here with what he thinks?

I tend to agree with 5 strikes on this coin.
You can see the first 2 strikes by the way the denticals are doubled and the "ELIZ" definitely looks triple stuck to me.
What I find really interesting is the Queens Portrait seems to be unaffected.
A most interesting coin Mark :good: :yahoo:

ausjack · October 08, 2013, 01:52:27 PM

Stop teasing or just give it to me, I know ya wonna :laugh2: Yeah it's pretty cool and I like the colour but could be just a little darker :winkextra: I am going to make a little bed for my babies so I can tuck them in at night and tell them how much I love them just like someone else does..my precious babies :angel:

Goldseeker · October 08, 2013, 02:05:06 PM

One can tell, AJ is back and firing on all cylinders............

ausjack · October 08, 2013, 02:59:32 PM

So sorry for going :off_topic: Mark and I should have put this in the thank you thread sorry, but I'm not quite there yet GS but getting there mate as I still have to get rid of it

but you's can thank AC for helping with my recovery 'cause she's had her own troubles but still had time for me to bitch at her and I thank you so very much little mate..a real heart of gold :hi: so if anyone has a go at me little mate look out 'cause there'll be hell to pay..and a quick thanks to all who called and emailed as these little things help when we're a bit down :friends:

Now back to your usually scheduled program sorry

I think there's 5 Mark, like you said..first two then looks to be three more :good:

Fordprefect · October 08, 2013, 03:18:47 PM

The obverse Strike 2 appears to me to be suffering
"Mechanical Doubling" rather than multiple strikes.

Either way a very nice example of a Double Strike.

Goldseeker · October 08, 2013, 07:43:04 PM

Definitely firing on all cylinders........Whoopee.......

Um, oops, sorry, nice half penny error there.

emu666 · October 09, 2013, 07:33:15 AM

Quote from: 'Fordprefect' pid='30111' dateline='1381207727'The obverse Strike 2 appears to me to be suffering
"Mechanical Doubling" rather than multiple strikes.

Either way a very nice example of a Double Strike.

Sounds good to me. The width of each letter should be the same on each strike. The obverse shows the classic terraced look due to the hammer die scraping across the design on retraction .