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Auction: 12009 - The Magnus Collection, Ancient, English & Foreign Coins and Commemorative Medals
Lot: 1051

Elizabeth II, Halfpenny, 1965, struck in 22 carat gold, 12.45g, dia. 25.5 mm., laureate young head right, rev. ship left (cf. S.4158), weakly struck, extremely fine, an unofficial issue struck in 22ct gold, unique Estimate £ 2,000-3,000 When this coin first appeared on the market in the late 1960s it caused considerable excitement and debate in both numismatic circles and in the national press. It was examined at this time by the Royal Mint and again in 1991 when it was concluded that ´it does not correspond to any coin that was struck by the Royal Mint in the 1960s. There seems little doubt, however, that whatever the origin of the blank it had been struck by official halfpenny dies. It is true, as my colleagues noted in 1968, that in places the design has not been fully struck up, but elsewhere the fine striations on the surface are consistent with what might be expected of halfpenny dies of the period. The areas of weakness reflect a less than full blow, or perhaps a blank with an uneven surface, and it may be significant that the edge has evidently required special treatment. It was not possible in 1968 to throw any light on the circumstances in which the coin was struck, and my colleagues contented themselves with the statement that the coin had not been struck either legally or accidently in the Royal Mint. This form of words did not exclude the possibility that the a Mint employee had brought in a gold blank and illegally and deliberately, placed it in a coining press at work on 1965 halfpennies. It is a possibility which surviving papers show was raised at the time, and it remains, perhaps the most likely explanation.´ Papers and press cuttings relating to the coin are sold with the lot.

Sold for
£6,000