11042

1872-H 50C Inverted A Canada 50 Cents--Double Strike

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:240.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1872-H 50C  Inverted A Canada 50 Cents--Double Strike
<B>1872-H 50C Inverted A Canada 50 Cents--Double Strike, Second Strike 20% Off Center--XF45 PCGS.</B></I> Unlike coins of the United States, errors on Canadian coinage are few and far between, especially among the 19th century issues. In fact, a review of our Auction Archives reveals that the only other 19th century Canadian error coin that we have handled in the past 12 years was an off-center 1859 cent. The rarity of this error is especially important given that it was struck at England's Heaton Mint, where quality control was much further advanced than it is at other coinage facilities.<BR> This amazing error fifty cent piece was struck once, normally centered, and then struck a second time, 20% off center at 2 o'clock. The entire date is visible on the second strike. As the Heaton Mint was the only location for coinage of fifty cent pieces in 1872, the specific issue is positively identified. Further, this is the variety with the V in VICTORIA created by an inverted A punch, a rare variety in its own right. The surfaces are pale gray, just as they should be, with wisps of pale gold toning, especially near the borders. A few faint scratches on the surfaces are presumably the result of handling over the years, from past curators sharing this coin with others. There are no individual distracting marks to describe. This double strike is dished upwards on the obverse, at the junction of the two impressions from the coinage press, a characteristic common to all double strikes (except those where someone attempted to straighten the resultant bend in the flan). All of the characteristics and the overall appearance of this numismatic treasure are as they should be.<BR> Accompanied by an old card from a former owner, with a useful description:<BR> "Canada half dollar of 1872. This coin bears the 'H' mint mark, signifying that it was struck at the Heaton mint in England, whereby their report states 80,000 pieces were minted. Of this amount, very few have an inverted 'A' which was mistakenly used as the 'V' in the letters. This coin is a double strike, in that it received the regular strike & another strike as it was being ejected! It not only escaped the inspections, but was allowed to be bagged & shipped. A very astute person noticed this rarity & saved it, for which we are to be thankful, as we are the recipients. It may even be unique, as no one I know, nor myself, have ever seen one like this with the date intact!" Lot:11042