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 Replies: 11 / Views: 675 |
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Valued Member
United States
148 Posts |
So after a little homework, I now know that these coins were fairly common in Hong Kong between the years of 1863 and 1901. And I know that they were minted in the UK. But not like this! Can someone venture a guess as to what happened to the reverse of this coin? Yes, the obverse is worn but nothing like the reverse. MUCH appreciated!   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United Kingdom
16491 Posts |
Looks like it's been made into a jewelry item like a button or cufflink.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
17493 Posts |
 It did not leave the mint looking like that.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Valued Member
 United States
148 Posts |
So there was a real reverse for this coin at one time? Usually, I can make out something, anything. Not even a smidgen of a hint this time.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17493 Posts |
Either the reverse has been filed down or there is a layer of solder over it.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Valued Member
United States
148 Posts |
Outstanding! And thanks!
Edited by jdsstrat
03/05/2025 8:30 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
57243 Posts |
I agree with NumisRob. PMD. Errers and Varietys.
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Moderator
Australia
16242 Posts |
The other possibility, of course, is that it isn't actually a coin and never was, but is merely a button made to look like the obverse of a coin.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Valued Member
United States
148 Posts |
Yes, VERY possible, Sap. Especially when you consider that the coin could have been minted at the Birmingham Mint where, as I understand it, they did that sort of thing. Add that to this: when you take a closer look at the obverse, you'll notice some sort of error to the Q of QUEEN. Perhaps that error was caught at the mint and the decision was made to use it for a button (or cufflink) instead. Thoughts?
Edited by jdsstrat
03/06/2025 11:59 am
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Moderator
Australia
16242 Posts |
I think, if it's a replica coin, then it never saw the inside of any mint in Britain, but rather was produced locally in Hong Kong.
Back then, people wore coin cufflinks as an ostentatious display of wealth: "I'm so rich I can afford to turn my spare change into cufflinks". People who were wanting to share in the fashion but couldn't afford to waste actual coins like that would get a local button-maker to make a set of silver-plated coin-like cufflinks for them, for only a fraction of the cost of the coins they imitated.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Valued Member
United States
148 Posts |
And if it's not a replica?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17493 Posts |
It's not really worth anything as a coin. I suggest restoring it as a button or pin and wearing it. That's what I would do were it mine.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Replies: 11 / Views: 675 |
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Posted 03/05/2025 6:52 pm
