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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,650 |
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Valued Member
294 Posts |
As title says, there's something strange that I've seen on pennies in different listings on ebay. Some of them have this weird black halo around Britannia on the reverse side, regardless of their date or condition. In fact, that halo seems to show up on the obverse side too, just not as pronounced, but it's definitely noticeably there. Here's a pic:  ok, so it isn't exactly a black halo on my coin, but it does look like someone put a peculiarly shaped leg of a sofa or something on it. Is anyone familiar with this? |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2805 Posts |
The head of George V or Edward VII on the other side of the coin is high-relief, drawing too much metal away from the other side and leaving a flatter area with a strange shape around it on this side. You are seeing George's head in reverse.
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Valued Member
 294 Posts |
Did this happen with many of the pennies of that time? It's good to know that at least it isn't a damage, although I wonder if any pieces without this minting technique flaw would fetch a higher price...
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Valued Member
294 Posts |
Guess what just arrived in the mail :D doesn't look too bad in real life. it's a good thing humans weren't born with macro vision haha any idea if the coin scores at least a VF35? the obverse side shows hardly as much wear as Britannia
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1431 Posts |
VF by American standards, perhaps. By UK grading standards though it's probably no better than F.
The "halo" phenomenon on the reverse is commonly known as "ghosting". It is almost universal among the Edward and earlier George V pennies.
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Valued Member
294 Posts |
all good, paid a pretty reasonable price for it then. Ah yes, that's the word I meant to use! Thanks!
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1351 Posts |
The RM eventually changed the metal content to eliminate ghosting.This was in the 1920's.
I find it quite endearing.
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Valued Member
294 Posts |
I observe no ghosting on my recently arrived 1932 and 1940 pennies. If I'm not wrong all british pennies then were struck out of bronze?
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
709 Posts |
I am currently at work, so am relying on my (faulty...) memory for the following.
If I recall correctly, the early George V pennies had a high-relief image of the king. there was not enough metal in the flan so when it was pressed it produced this ghosting effect. I think it was 1926 when the design changed giving the king a flatter head!
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2180 Posts |
The King's portrait was changed in 1926 I believe to help prevent ghosting, and the bronze alloy was tweaked in 1923 to help prevent ghosting too.
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,650 |
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Posted 09/17/2013 11:18 pm
