1953 F244 Proof Mule (Gouby B+a; Freeman 1+A) – Beaded obverse, toothed reverse (R19)
This variety has a die-pairing of the beaded obverse used on currency pennies of 1953 and the toothed reverse in the style of George VI pennies that was not adopted for currency coinage.
Freeman records it only as a bronze proof but it seems to occur most frequently within the 1953 “V.I.P.” proof set with a highly polished finish as per examples 2 and 3, despite it being the “currency” obverse with 121 border beads. I do not know how may of these sets were issued.
Example 1
Provenance: Croydon Coin Auction May 2010 (Lot 372)
There is a possibility that this specimen is an unrecorded currency version of this die pairing although it does appear to have proof-like surfaces and may have spent some time in circulation, thus losing most of its original brilliance.
Example 2
Provenance: London Coin Auction September 2014
Example 3
Provenance: London Coin Auction March 2014 (as part of VIP proof set)
Example 4
Provenance: London Coin Auction September 2015 (as part of VIP proof set)