Description
Victoria (1837-1901), Bronze Penny, 1869, young laureate bust left, toothed border and inner linear circle both sides, legend surrounds VICTORIA DG BRITT REG FD. Rev, Britannia seated right, holding trident, bell shaped lighthouse to left, ship in sail sea in front, reads ONE PENNY around, date in exergue (S.3954; Freeman 59: Dies 6 & G; BMC.1685 – VR; Gouby. J/g).
The 1869 recognised as one of the key rarities within the Bun head Penny series, struck using only one set of dies, normally emerging in low and less frequently middle grade. Often mentioned in the same breath as the 1864 upper serif or crosslet 4 types and the ever elusive 1882 without Heaton issue. Dark lustrous toning punctuated by underling mint brilliance, the reverse slightly streaky in its tone to the right of Britannia. Fully struck up, few hairlines with a couple of toning smudges. Uncirculated with underlying lustre, very rare, irrespective of grade.
