Guernsey 1 double 1830
This little copper coin, mintage 1,648,640, is fairly easy to find. It is not expensive (about $5-10), but most samples offered in this price range are in rather poor condition. After purchasing several specimens I have realized that some of them are from different dies (which is not unexpected given high mintage number). My analysis is, as far as I know, is the first one, so please take it with a great deal of scepticism! Hope it will be used as a starting point for future studies by collectors who have access to better and more versatile material.
A 'dot before date' variety is included here as Reverse 5. This one is rare and can be expensive in high grade. Another sample image: https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=714&lot=50.
Obverse side is one with a Guernsey shield, reverse side is one with a date.
Obverse dies
Obverse die variations are surprisingly hard to detect. I had to compare images by overlaying them in graphics editor, otherwise they are indistinguishable from each other. This needs more work and more samples!
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Obverse A. Seems to be most common. |
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Obverse B. Noticeable ghosting on all three "E"s. |
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Obverse C. |
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Obverse D. "GUERNESEY" is ghosted. |
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Obverse E. |
Reverse dies
There are several points of identification. Examine the relative position of letters L and E, distance between L and E, outline of upper digit 1. All differences are small and have to be checked at high magnification.
Coins from my collection
I have nineteen samples and hope to acquire more in the future.
sample a: reverse 1 + obverse A
sample b: reverse 3 + obverse C
sample c: reverse 2 + obverse ?
sample d: reverse 2 + obverse C
sample e: reverse 1 + obverse C
sample f: reverse 1 + obverse C
sample g: reverse 4 + obverse A
sample h: reverse 5 + obverse ? (similar to obv. B)
sample i: reverse 6 + obverse B
sample j: reverse 4 + obverse ?
sample k: reverse 4 + obverse A
sample l: reverse 6 + obverse D
sample m: reverse 6 + obverse A
sample n: reverse 6 + obverse B
sample o: reverse ? + obverse A
sample p: reverse 1 + obverse A
sample q: reverse 6 + obverse A
sample r: reverse 6 + obverse A
sample s: reverse 3 + obverse C
sample t: reverse 4 + obverse E
sample u: reverse 2 + obverse E