What is an English passion penny?

Answer 1

Most years of issue of the British Queen Victoria Penny could be described as a "Passion Penny", some more so than others.

The title "Passion Penny" arises from the proximity and angle of the shaft of the trident she is holding in relation to her groin.

The humour of the "Passion Penny" design must have worn thin after 50 odd years, and from 1895 the trident shaft was moved away from the groin, almost to the knee.

For a valuation of a British Penny, or any other coin, please specify the year.

Answer 2

The English Passion Penny

At the Related Link below, you can see the reverse of the old English penny. Note that Britannia holds a staff in her hand.

The first issuance of this penny had the staff at a different angle...with the lower end further toward Britannia. It truly looked as though Britannia were using the staff as a dildo. It immediately was dubbed a passion penny.

After the first issuance of the coin and after the laughter, the staff angle was changed to the angle shown on this coin.