1922 Unrecorded Trial or Pattern (Gouby D+d; Freeman 4+C) (R20?)
Unrecorded die pairing (Modified Effigy obverse and true 1927 reverse) originally spotted when sold by London Coins in March 2006; possibly a trial or pattern for the particular die pairing which was introduced in 1927, although the obverse (Modified Effigy) was introduced in late 1926. At first glance it appears to be a rare F192A (C+c) penny but is probably a trial piece, produced during 1923-1925, a period of experimentation to reduce “ghosting” when no currency pennies were produced, and which also produced a 1926 Trial/Pattern with the same die pairing and a 1926 penny with a “hybrid” reverse (both on this site).
It has also featured in articles by Michael Freeman (Spink Numismatic Circular May 2010), Chris Peckris (inaccurately in Coin News February 2016 – the coinage of George V Part IV) and myself (Coin News April 2019 & Coin Yearbook 2020). In Freeman’s article he writes that, if he were to produce an updated version of “The Bronze Coinage of Great Britain”, he would record this variety as F192B.
Obverse C |
Obverse D |
Reverse c |
Reverse d |
This variety is now included in Spink’s “Coins of England and Great Britain” under reference 4054A, originally with a somewhat incorrect description of the reverse, which has now been amended following my suggestion to use the wording “smaller Britannia with shorter right thumb”.
Reverse b – longer thumb |
Reverse d – shorter thumb |
Example 1
Provenance: London Coins (March 2006, lot 1237)
Thought to be unique until a photograph recently emerged of what may be a genuine “as struck” example.
Example 2
Provenance: unknown