1860 F4 & F5 (Gouby C1+a1; Freeman 1+A) bronzed copper proofs
The obverse and reverse designs used on these two proof strikings were also used on the gold and silver proof F2 and F3 but were never used for currency strikes (although, curiously, reverse a1 is found on the F759 pattern penny struck in bronzed copper on a heavy flan). They are very similar to currency obverse C and reverse a with the following major differences:
On obverse C1 the linear circle at the left ends at the 2nd bead below the bust whereas on obverse C, the line extends to the 4th bead below the bust; the 6th to 11th beads below the bust touch the bust whereas on C they do not. Also, the top 2 strands of hair to the right of Victoria’s ear on obverse C are not present on obverse C1.
Obverse C1 Obverse C
Reverse a1 is very similar to reverse a except that the area between Britannia’s right arm and her gown is narrower (on reverse a the gap is larger as the gown drapery is cut back); there also minor differences around Britannia’s helmet plumes and hair.
Reverse a1 Reverse a
Freeman does not distinguish between this obverse/reverse and his obverse 1 and reverse A.
During 1860 and 1861, a number of pattern or proof strikings were made in copper or bronze with a “bronzed” finish. The term “bronzed” refers to the surface colour or finish (a light chocolate brown on “bronzed” bronze and distinctly pinkish on “bronzed” copper) and not to the metal content. It resulted from a special treatment to which the coins were subjected, in order to prevent the darkening which occurs to the brilliant golden colour of natural, unbronzed pieces after a short period in contact with the atmosphere. Bronzed pieces generally have more matt a finish than unbronzed. The difference in appearance is more obvious when compared side to side with each other.
Bronze “Bronzed” bronze “Bronzed” copper
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1860 F4 (Gouby C1+a1; Freeman 1+A) bronzed copper proof
Example 1
(no photograph but should be identifiable by the reverse edge knock near Britannia’s foot)
ex-Michael Freeman sale (Christie’s – October 1984) Lot 4
Example 2
Sold by Spink (USA) in January 2014 as part of the Gerald Jackson collection (the photograph looks suspiciously like a bronzed bronze proof rather than bronzed copper, which would be an unrecorded variety)
Example 3
Sold by Spink in June 2016
Example 4
Sold by Spink in June 2016
Example 5
Sold by London Coins in December 2016
Example 6
Held in a private collection
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1860 F5 (Gouby C1+a1; Freeman 1+A) bronzed copper proof struck on a heavy flan
Example 1
Sold by Dix, Noonan & Webb in June 2006 as part of the Laurie Bamford collection (11.47gm)
ex-Spink Numismatic Circular (March 1991)
Example 2
Sold by Colin Cooke in January 2007 as part of the Alderley collection
Example 3
Sold by Spink (USA) in January 2014 as part of the Gerald Jackson collection
ex-Michael Freeman sale (Christie’s – October 1984) Lot 2 (13.52gm)
Example 4
Sold by Heritage auctions in January 2015
Example 5
Sold by Dix, Noonan & Webb in September 2018 as part of the Hiram Brown collection
Example 6
Held in a private collection
Example 7
Held in a private collection (weight 13.76 gm)
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Unrecorded 1860 F4/F5 “Hybrid” – Bronze or Bronzed [Proof ?] (Gouby C1+a1; Freeman 1+A)
Note: this coin appears to have been struck in bronze (on a flan slightly thicker than F4 and noticeably thinner than F5) weighing 10.48 gm, compared with F4 (Gouby records an F4 example of 9.23gm and my own F4 example weighs 9.08gm) and F5 (examples vary from 11.17 to 13.78 gm). It has had very noticeable wear and so it is hard to ascertain whether it is a proof strike, although it still has some of the pinkish tones characteristic of bronzed copper coins.
Provenance: Dix, Noonan & Webb March 2020 (ex-Hiram Brown collection, part lot 372)