UPDATE on possible strike error on recently dug cut pistareen

[Bill D. (VA)]

Thought I'd follow-up on this since I just received a reply back from my colonial coin expert. He made the following statement in regard to the upside down "A" in the legend where there should have been a "U" or "V":

"That's a nice high grade coin -- good find! I would think it wouldn't be that unusual, to use an A punch for a V, but I doubt anyone has ever studied it much or written about it. 18th century minters were very practical and were happy to make do with what they had. There are some similar things on US coins, like the 8s on the 1808 half cent are made from stacking the tiny 0 punches used in 1/200. I'm pretty sure there are some A/V uses too, but I can't think of any at the moment. Cool stuff!"

That was a nice educational comment I figured other colonial coin hunters might be interested in. Oh well, so much for my ultra rare mint error .... lol! Thanks again to joesmarbles for catching this in my original post.

 

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[joesmarbles]

Still a great find Bill and adds to the knowledge of many seekers of just that, "knowledge"....Joe McDonough

 

[Wildcat1750]

Thanks for the update on your find! It's interesting to learn new things about old things!

 

[EasternShoreMetal]

Still, just the thought of that coin maker having to do that just to "make do" adds a very neat facet to that coin in it's own right!

 

[fever87]

Great find! I tried to find when they switched from using a "V" to using a "U" and it looks about 1717-1718. The "J" assayers mark appears to be from the Segovia mint.

 

[Iron Patch]

I disagree, because it does not match the A that is there, and it wouldn't make sense to use another A punch. I think it's a small die crack.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

I disagree, because it does not match the A that is there, and it wouldn't make sense to use another A punch. I think it's a small die crack.

Good point IP. A die crack is the only plausible explanation since those A's don't match up at all.

 

[Don in SJ]

Bill, try a high resolution photo or just look at it close with high powered magnifier, sure does not look like an A punch was used and as IP suggested a possible small die break. Many years ago I found a 1781 KGIII Irish that they used a G by accident instead of an O in GEORGIVS and then corrected the error. I was told back than a nice coin but no one overly in the collecting world was too thrilled at the time. Evidently things like that happened when individual punches were used for letters and date numbers. But it is nice to have. But yours might be as IP suggested, an inconvenient die crack. Don

 

[Iron Patch]

Bill, try a high resolution photo or just look at it close with high powered magnifier, sure does not look like an A punch was used and as IP suggested a possible small die break. Many years ago I found a 1781 KGIII Irish that they used a G by accident instead of an O in GEORGIVS and then corrected the error. I was told back than a nice coin but no one overly in the collecting world was too thrilled at the time. Evidently things like that happened when individual punches were used for letters and date numbers. But it is nice to have. But yours might be as IP suggested, an inconvenient die crack. Don

This happened all the time on counterfeits. The same thing on a genuine coin would be an entirely different story.

 

[beez0404]

I think the fact that we're talking about coins so old that they were more or less individually made is very cool.

 

[UnderMiner]

Fascinating! The poor guys making the coins had to improvise and pray nobody noticed.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Bill, try a high resolution photo or just look at it close with high powered magnifier, sure does not look like an A punch was used and as IP suggested a possible small die break. Many years ago I found a 1781 KGIII Irish that they used a G by accident instead of an O in GEORGIVS and then corrected the error. I was told back than a nice coin but no one overly in the collecting world was too thrilled at the time. Evidently things like that happened when individual punches were used for letters and date numbers. But it is nice to have. But yours might be as IP suggested, an inconvenient die crack. Don

Don - here's about the best I can do with my camera on a close-up. That upside down "A" looks nothing like part of the A you can see on the far left edge. But what are the odds of an irregularity like that showing up in that exact spot? Very strange. Click on the images below to enlarge.

 

[Don in SJ]

The bottom photo is a great enhanced photo, after looking I do not think it is a die crack, but perhaps a funky letter A or V punch other than the A punch used on the same coin. Or, it was from the same A punch but wear on the metal has distorted things. Don

 

[CRUSADER]

I have to disagree with the 'A' theory, it looks like a small die crack to me, ie. the line across the V.

 

[civil_war22]

I'm thinking die crack as well. If it was an A I would think the middle of the A would be more pronounce and not look like it was screw up in some way.

 

[joeyfresh]

Very interesting and that close up photo shows what minimal wear that coin has...or doesn't have!

 

[Msbeepbeep]

You ARE the lucky one , no doubt! Mega congrats!