I recently purchased a bulk lot of English coins and found an interesting 1913 King George V penny with the first 1 in the date replaced by a 3. The date cleary reads 3913. I have been unable to find any reference to this variety and was wondering if anyone else has ever seen or even heard of one.
Non illegitimis carborundum est. Excellent advice for all coins.
Make Numismatics Great Again!
Certainly interesting, although I don't like the look of the date; the bottom half looks like it's been abused. One thing you could do, if you're really interested, is to send it to the British Museum (but make sure you enclose a stamped addressed return envelope). Back when I was a nipper, they used to do these sort of checks, but maybe not now. I'd also send it recorded delivery.
If you live in the UK, another possibility is to take it to Spinks. Thirty years back, there was a pipe-smoking bod upstairs who'd give it a quick shufty for you if he wasn't busy. Again, maybe those days are gone, and they'll charge you boutique prices just to tell you it's a forgery or an illegal alteration.
Spinks is THE leading and most trusted coin dealership in the United Kingdom, based in London. They are trusted to deal with top quality, ultra-rare and valuable coins.
Thanks Winston. I used to live in the UK but I'm now in exile in Florida. I don't know if there is an American version of Spinks and even if there is, it's not going to be in Florida I reckon.
I've looked closely at the date field under 10x magnification and there is no inconsistency in the patina which would indicate the addition of metal, nor is there any depression in the field where metal has been moved to form the "3". As far as I know these are the typical tests used to determine if the variation occured at the time of production. My own feeling is that the "3" is actually a deformed "1" as it is very different to the other 3 at the end of the date.
Most of the "coin dealers" around here are just bullion traders with no knowledge of numismatics at all. I know a couple of collectors and will get them to take a look at it, perhaps they have a contact somewhere who can give a definitive opinion.
I have been trading coins since the early 70's and have seen a few rarities during that time but this is by far the most interesting find I have ever made. I will keep you all informed on the results.
Non illegitimis carborundum est. Excellent advice for all coins.
Make Numismatics Great Again!
Verweis : pnightingaleThanks Winston. I used to live in the UK but I'm now in exile in Florida. I don't know if there is an American version of Spinks and even if there is, it's not going to be in Florida I reckon.
I've looked closely at the date field under 10x magnification and there is no inconsistency in the patina which would indicate the addition of metal, nor is there any depression in the field where metal has been moved to form the "3". As far as I know these are the typical tests used to determine if the variation occured at the time of production. My own feeling is that the "3" is actually a deformed "1" as it is very different to the other 3 at the end of the date.
Most of the "coin dealers" around here are just bullion traders with no knowledge of numismatics at all. I know a couple of collectors and will get them to take a look at it, perhaps they have a contact somewhere who can give a definitive opinion.
I have been trading coins since the early 70's and have seen a few rarities during that time but this is by far the most interesting find I have ever made. I will keep you all informed on the results.
that was a good reply winstonfg,what is spinks??? 
do they have website???
what part of florida do you live in pnightingale??? an thanks cerulean for link 
im up the road from you- i-75 little town of ocala. i was in va hosptail in tampa! 
just like this