Missing Waves
In the latter years of the last decade (2010-2019), more and more examples of reverses with “missing waves” have been identified, with specimens of George V, George VI and Elizabeth II coins all showing a partial absence of waves in the outer reaches of the sea to the left of Britannia, presumably due to partially filled dies. Not surprisingly, the extent of the missing waves often varies within a particular year with coins being struck as the die progressively filled.
I suspect that these coins will prove to be scarce rather than rare as more collectors look out for and find them and so, rather than host a page per dated occurrence, I have decided to simply include a list of the years for which this feature has been observed, together with pictorial examples to help the collector identify further examples.
I will continue to keep a record of these varieties and specimens as they come to my notice in order to maintain a count for interested collectors. The web pages will continue to be updated but hidden from the menu so that they can be reinstated at any time that I consider that they are genuinely rare after all.
George V
So far, this feature has only been observed on pennies dated 1921 (F191), 1931 and 1934
I suspect that the 1934 types are not particularly rare
George VI
So far, this feature has only been observed on pennies dated 1937
Note: 4 known to me as of November 2020 (but probably more exist)
It should also be noted that the waves on the far left are often less clearly struck on 1937 pennies, particularly on proof strikes (below right)
Elizabeth II
So far, this feature has only been observed (by me) on pennies dated 1965, 1966 and 1967
1965
1966
Note: 3 known to me as of November 2020 but almost certainly more common
1967
Note: 9 known to me as of February 2021 but probably quite common