What is the history of the 1896 British Penny?

Answer 1

The British 1896 Penny was almost identical to all British Pennies minted from 1895 to 1901 inclusive.

They were minted at the Royal Mint London in 1896 and were made from bronze (95% copper, 4% tin and 1% zinc), weighed 9.467 grams and were 30.81 mm in diameter.

The obverse featured Queen Victoria with what is variously known as the "Old veiled bust" or the "Widow head bust" designed by Thomas Brock.

The reverse featured the seated figure of Britannia holding a trident and shield designed by Leonard Charles Wyon.

The inscription "VICTORIA DEI GRA BRITT REGINA FID DEF IND IMP" is abbreviated Latin, variations of which have been used on British coins for many years. It translates as "Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of Britain, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India".

Answer 2

The British 1893 Penny was almost identical to all British Pennies minted from 1860 to 1894 inclusive.

They were minted at the Royal Mint London in 1893 and were made from bronze (95% copper, 4% tin and 1% zinc), weighed 9.467 grams and were 30.81 mm in diameter.

The obverse featured Queen Victoria with what is variously known as the "Laureate bust" or the "Bun head bust" designed by Leonard Charles Wyon.

The reverse featured the seated figure of Britannia holding a trident and shield designed by Leonard Charles Wyon.

The inscription "VICTORIA D G BRITT REG F D" is abbreviated Latin, variations of which have been used on British Coins for many years. It translates as "Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of Britain, Defender of the Faith".

Answer 3

They were minted in Sterling silver in 1886 at the Royal Mint in London. All Sixpences minted from 1880 to 1887 inclusive were pretty much identical.

They have the Third Bust of Queen Victoria on the obverse, with the words "VICTORIA DEI GRATIA BRITANNIAR REG F D" around the circumference.

The reverse has the Crowned mark of value within a wreath with the year below.

Apart from the general circulation coin, there was a Proof FDC coin minted.

Answer 4

There were two different 1893 Sixpences minted. Both coins are made from sterling silver and the total mintage for both coins is 7,350,619. Individual mintages are not given.

The variant with the "Jubilee" bust of Queen Victoria (wearing a small crown) minted in the first half of 1893 is the one that has the high collector value, possibly because so few of them currently exist in the market.

The variant with the "Old" bust of Queen Victoria (wearing a veil) minted in the second half of 1893 is the other.

Answer 5

The British Halfpenny has been around for literally hundreds of years.

The British Halfpenny of the 1900's has maintained the same dimensions and metallic structure until its last minting in 1967 being, 26 mm in diameter, varying between 5.658 and 5.7 grams in weight, and was made from bronze consisting mostly of copper.

1902 to 1910 coins featured King Edward VII on the obverse and the seated and helmeted figure of Britannia with trident and shield on the reverse.

1911 to 1936 coins featured King George V on the obverse and the seated and helmeted figure of Britannia with trident and shield on the reverse.

1937 to 1952 coins featured King George VI on the obverse and an image of Sir Francis Drakes ship the Golden Hind on the reverse.

1953 to 1967 coins featured Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and an image of Sir Francis Drakes ship the Golden Hind on the reverse.