Posted 08/15/2023 11:48 am
Peck 1383 and 1384 are all made from an altered 1806 dated die to restrike for 1807 dated coin. No geuine 1807 proof half penny is known ('A missing link: how Taylor made the 1807 proof halfpenny obverse die'
BNJ vol. 77)
Although no record shows why the difference occurs, I like to make an educated guess about the reason. I think this difference is due to their different purposes, 1383 is for imitating the original proof while 1384 is imitating a mint state original date coin. This likely explained why the fins rim were not removed and the deliberate addition of the witness line on 1384. The incentive of Taylor's effort was due to the fact that the 1807 dated half penny is considerably scarcer in mint state compared to the 1806 half penny. Even though it seems the making of 1807 dated proof and mint state pieces must have been quite demanding for collectors, the reality must have been the opposite for Taylor since the surviving number of 1806 proof restrikes outweigh 1807 considerably.
BNJ vol. 77)
Although no record shows why the difference occurs, I like to make an educated guess about the reason. I think this difference is due to their different purposes, 1383 is for imitating the original proof while 1384 is imitating a mint state original date coin. This likely explained why the fins rim were not removed and the deliberate addition of the witness line on 1384. The incentive of Taylor's effort was due to the fact that the 1807 dated half penny is considerably scarcer in mint state compared to the 1806 half penny. Even though it seems the making of 1807 dated proof and mint state pieces must have been quite demanding for collectors, the reality must have been the opposite for Taylor since the surviving number of 1806 proof restrikes outweigh 1807 considerably.
