This 1845 British Shilling featuring the likeness of Queen Victoria is a unique Great Britain off-center die cap. This is only the second known Victorian-era die cap. The other one is found on a mistruck Great Britain Florin and sold in a Heritage Auction for $11,750.
The creation of this die cap merits an explanation. The planchet entered the collar and was struck 15% off-center. It adhered to the hammer die (top die), which had the reverse design. It subsequently struck many planchets as it wrapped upwards around the die. The anvil die (bottom die) had the obverse design (Queen Victoria). Her portrait became distorted and expanded as it created brockages on incoming planchets. This is a very deep die cap which was encapsulated in a double thick PCGS holder.
A truly spectacular and unique Great Britain Victoria-era die cap!
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