Victoria Young Head (Bun) Coinage (1880 - 1895)

This page was last updated on: December 16, 2024 10:05 AM

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Introduction

In December 1860, copper coinage was replaced by bronze, a change which had already been made in France in 1852. The old copper coins could be handed back up to the end of 1869 at 102% of face value; thereafter, up to July 30th 1873, only at face value. The bronze coins were made of 95% copper, 4% tin (to harden the copper) and 1% zinc (to facilitate good castings).

Picture	Date	DESCRIPTION	Price
	1895	Young Head. Near VF, rare	£15.00

Note on 1893

The Wider Date type, which is common, embraces 14 border teeth from the centre of the 1 to the centre of the 3.

The Closer Spaced Date type embraces 13 teeth and accounts for about 15% of the 1893 issue, though examples in high grade are very elusive.

Note on 1889: As we are frequently asked for this date, perhaps it is worth mentioning here that this date does not exist in the Farthing series.

Picture	Date	DESCRIPTION	Price
	1891	NVF/VF	£2.50
	1891	VF	£2.75
	1890	BMC 1917. S3958. Almost Unc good lustre	£30.00
	1890	BMC 1917. S3958. Choice BU Full Lustre Encapsulated by NGC as MS64 RD (4861396-012)	£95.00
	1890	BMC 1917. S3958. Choice BU Full Lustre Encapsulated by NGC as MS64 RD (4861396-013)	£95.00
	1886	NVF	£0.90
	1886	GVF	£2.00
	1886	Near EF	£2.25
	1886	Unc traces of lustre	£9.00
	1886	Unc lustre	£10.00
	1886	BMC 1913. S3958. Almost Unc with good lustre	£10.00
	1886	Unc good lustre	£15.00
	1886	BMC 1913. S3958. BU Almost Full Lustre	£28.00
	1886	BU Full Lustre, lightly toning	£32.00
	1886	BU Full Lustre, lightly toning	£32.00
	1884	VF	£1.50
	1884	A/Unc lustre	£18.00
	1884	BMC 1909. S3958. Unc lustre	£25.00

Note on 1883

The Broken F type has a gap in the top, horizontal stroke, caused by a broken or damaged die; it accounts for only about 20% of 1883 farthings, so it is quite rare, given that 1883 is a rarer date anyway.

Picture	Date	DESCRIPTION	Price

Note on 1882H.

Again, the Broken F is seen for this date. However, this time it is the Perfect F which is rarer and occurs in about 25% of the 1882H farthings. Also, it is interesting to note how tiny the H (= Heaton) mintmark is when compared to 1881H or 1874/5/6H coins.

Picture	Date	DESCRIPTION	Price

Note on 1881H:

To view detailed descriptions of the 1881H varieties, including large close-up images for each type, click here.

Picture	Date	DESCRIPTION	Price

Note on 1881:

Most collectors have difficulty distinguishing between Obverse 7 and Obverse 6. There are several differences but we find the easiest is not to look at the shape of the nose but to look at the nostril.

On Obverse 6 the nostril is a small, deeply-cut, oval, closed at both ends.

On Obverse 7 the nostril is longer and "open" at the right hand end.

This difference is observable in all grades from Fine upwards.

Picture	Date	DESCRIPTION	Price

Note on 1880:

Most 1880 ¼ds have a weakly struck patch on the hair and a dimple centrally on the neck; both are interesting striking faults. (Note: this dimple occurs for quite a number of other dates as well, for example, 1883.)

The second 8 of the date can also be found as an "open-topped" 8.

Picture	Date	DESCRIPTION	Price