1860 Queen Victoria Gilt Copper Pattern Penny by Joseph Moore, F851, R18

1860 Queen Victoria Gilt Copper Pattern Penny by Joseph Moore

Excessively rare

This pattern was designed and struck in 1860 by Joseph Moore, a well-known and highly respected ‘die sinker’ in Birmingham (1817-1892). It is highly significant as it represents an important period in British coinage history when the earlier copper pieces were changing over to bronze

Obverse shows the monarch’s bust facing left and is from Die Pattern 93 (see PECK). The legend reads ‘VICTORIA QUEEN’ with date 1860 below and between two beaded circles

Reverse depicts Britannia, helmeted, in flowing robes, seated to the left on a rock. Her right hand supports a trident; her left holding a spray of leaves, rests on an oval shield by her side. Before her right foot lies an anchor and the prow of a boat on which a dolphin is depicted. The legend reads ‘ONE PENNY’ above and date ‘1860’ below

Not recorded in gilt by W.C. PECK (2124 describes this pairing – obverse C – as bronze only)

Freeman F851 (obverse I, reverse H, R18 – only 6-15 examples known worldwide

Almost impossible to locate anywhere, this pattern piece would make an excellent addition to any serious mid Victorian copper/bronze collection

UNC