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 Replies: 7 / Views: 2,003 |
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New Member
Canada
22 Posts |
This coin was given to me about 45 years ago along with a some other old English pennies and various world coin pocket change by my Australian uncle. It has literally sat in a box being moved around for 45 years - we recently moved and I rediscovered it and the other coins. I became an ancients/medieval collector during that time frame but I know nothing about modern coins. I did quickly look this one up and it appears to be a key date but also often faked. I would appreciate comments on real/fake and if real what this might be worth? There is a scratch on the obverse which was probably due to my youthful playing around with the coins. It weighs 5.70 gm and is 25mm. Thanks!   |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1039 Posts |
Looks ok to me but no expert,as you say lots of excellent fakes out there.
The die crack under 'ÓMN' is interesting,none of mine over the years have had that and I haven't seen it before on a 23 half.
Value is around A$1000-A$2000 as a ball park figure but I would get it off to PCGS,increase the value and make it easier to sell..
Plenty of people on this Forum know more than me so hopefully you will get more replies
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
599 Posts |
Pic is not ideal but I'd agree with Basil - it looks OK.
Check for a very feint die crack at the base of the date.
To be genuine it must have this.
Watch your top knot
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Not all 1923 Halfpennys have a die crack, buy perhaps more of 50% of them do.
From what I understand, the reason why 1923 Halfpennys are rare, has to do with failure to harden the dies for this date properly, and so 1922 dies were used to make the required number of coins.
Hence fresh dies failed early, and it is from these early strike coins that is the reason why 1923 coins can be found without die cracks.
Nevertheless when examining 1923 Halfpennys for authenticity, one of the first features to look for, is die cracks.
The most common method of faking 1923 Halfpennys is to alter the date.
Examination of the date area with a high powered loups is essential.
With the screen pictures, this coin appears OK.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1364 Posts |
 that from the photos it appears to be genuine but it really needs to be examined by hand. This article gives some good indicators to look for, including the one that echinda mentioned - 'If you look very carefully you can see a faint die crack extending from the base of the 2 towards the 9. This appears on halfpennies produced by both working dies. Unfortunately it may not be visible on low grade specimens.' http://www.thesandpit.net/index.php...23_halfpenny |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1039 Posts |
Yes,seems to be a hint of the date diecrack.  |
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New Member
 Canada
22 Posts |
Thanks everyone for your help - I think it has enough chance of being real that I will send it to PCGS to get verified and slabbed. I will be sure to let you all know what they say.
Thanks again
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10743 Posts |
Only one I'm missing in my half pennie set.  |
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Replies: 7 / Views: 2,003 |
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Posted 03/05/2022 12:48 pm
