Model Penny. Model Money, Victoria Penny. Large ridged numer...

Hammer

£180

Model Penny. Model Money, Victoria Penny. Large ridged numeral "1" with 29 horizontal ridges. Silver annulus and silver centre.

These model coins were issued by Joseph Moore between 1844 and 1848, when the Government was tentatively discussing plans to replace the heavy copper coinage then in circulation. They were produced in such large numbers, and became so popular with the public, that the Royal Mint had to make an official pronouncement stating that they were not responsible for their manufacture. Several variants using different dies exist. With the obverse, the types are distinguished by the letter of the word "Victoria" that the Queen's nose points towards. With the reverse the types are distinguished by the number of horizontal lines within the numeral "1", varying between 27 and 34.

Extremely fine, of the highest rarity