Victoria Young Head (Bun) Coinage (1860 - 1879)

This page was last updated on: March 17, 2025 1:31 PM

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Note on 1879

Apart from Normal and Large-sized 9 in date, the date spacing also varies.

On some, the 8 and 7 of the date are noticeably closer together whereas more commonly all the numerals are evenly spaced.

On a few of the evenly spaced type, the numerals are even more spaced out, embracing 12 border teeth instead of the more usual 10½ to 11½ teeth.

Yet another variety has appeared recently. There appear to be variations in the size and spacing of the border teeth. This has not yet been fully investigated and any comments from collectors would be most gratefully received.

All 1879 farthings need sorting out just like we did for 1881H. Please contact us if you can help.

Large 9 only occurs with 87 closer together.

Picture	Date	DESCRIPTION	Price

Note on RM issues 1875 to 1878em

All the Royal Mint issues of 1875 - 1878 have a forked tail to the R of FARTHING. This applies to 1875SD (4B and 5B), 1877, and 1878. It does not apply to the 1875LD or any of the Heaton mint issues of this same period.

If you find an 1875 SD ¼d without a forked tail, as quite often found, it is certain to be an altered 1875H and the H has been skilfully obliterated to increase the value of the coin twenty-fold. Be on your guard and check for the forked tail, which the perpetrator of this dastardly ruse clearly did not know about.

Picture	Date	DESCRIPTION	Price
	1878	BMC 1896. S3958. BU Full Lustre, lightly toning.	£75.00
	1878	BMC 1896. S3958. BU Full Lustre, lightly toning.	£75.00

Note on 1876H

These farthings appear to have the letter G of REG struck over another letter clearly protruding above the cross-stroke of the "G". Following this note in 1998 and building on information suggested by one collector, interim results can be summarised:

Numbers quoted represent the number of coins so far examined:

With no trace of an underlying letter under the G

35 x 1874H coins (includes 10 x G/sideways G, 3 x 4/7, 1 x Proof, 1 x 4/4, 20 x ordinary.)

3 x 1875H Obverse 3 (5 Berries)

12 x 1875 LD

11 x 1875 SD 5B (includes 5 x 7/7 type)

1 x 1878 (see below)

With an underlying letter under the G

45 x 1875H Obverse 5 (4 Berries, - Normal)

9 x 1875 SD 4B (includes 3 x 7/7 type)

20 x 1876H

1 x 1877 Bronze Proof 28 x 1878 (see above)

We leave it for a collector to try and rationalise all the above information.

Picture	Date	DESCRIPTION	Price
	1875H	REG type. Near EF	£12.00
	1875H	REG type. BMC 1892. S3959. Unc lustre	£30.00
	1875H	REG type. BMC 1892. S3959. Unc good lustre	£45.00
	1875H	REG type. BMC 1892. S3959. Unc good lustre	£45.00
	1875H	REG type. BMC 1892. S3959. BU Almost Full Lustre	£80.00
	1873	Higher set 3 in date (Normal). BMC 1886. S3958. Almost Unc/EF, weak strike	£10.00
	1873	Higher set 3 in date (Normal). BU Almost Full Lustre	£40.00
	1873	Higher set 3 in date (Normal). BU Full Lustre, light toning. (Spink 2025 Cat value BU £100)	£60.00
	1868	BMC 1881. S3958. Unc traces of lustre	£70.00