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Victoria (1837-1901), Proof Halfpenny, 1839/43, bronzed, edge plain, struck en médaille, 9.56gm (BMC 1523 var; SC 10 var; S 3949). Extremely fine and practically as struck, very rare (£250-300)

Sold with letter from the Royal Mint, dated 1972, in which it is stated that altered 1843 dies were used to strike the coin, which “is not really surprising as the 1839 proof coins were not ready for delivery until 1843.” This contradicts Linecar & Stone (p.83), who stated, without giving a source, that “sets of coins were made up in 1839 at the Royal Mint.”

Sold with enlarged colour and black and white photographs