To finish this update, I am posting something that technically shouldn’t exist.

In numismatics, we differentiate between “Modern Fakes” (made recently to fool collectors) and “Contemporary Counterfeits” (made at the time to fool shopkeepers). This coin is the latter. It is a fake Victorian Half Crown, likely cast in a back-alley workshop in the 1880s.

The Historical Context: High Stakes Crime

In 1881, a Half Crown was serious money. It could buy you a good dinner, plenty of beer, or a shirt. Because of its high value, it was a prime target for counterfeiters (known in Victorian slang as “Smashers”).

These coins were usually cast from low-melting-point base metals (like lead, tin, or pewter) using molds taken from a genuine coin. They would be coated in a thin wash of silver to pass a quick glance in a dim gas-lit pub.

The Coin: Contemporary Counterfeit Half Crown

  • Type: Contemporary Counterfeit
  • Imitating: Victoria Young Head Half Crown
  • Date on Coin: 1881
  • Material: Base Metal (likely Lead/Tin alloy)
  • Method: Cast (not struck)

How to spot the fake:

  • The Look: The details are “mushy.” Because it was cast in a mold rather than struck with tons of pressure, the lettering is soft and the portrait lacks definition.
  • The Sound: If you were to drop this on a table, it would likely land with a dull thud (a “clunker”) rather than the high-pitched ring of sterling silver.
  • The Metal: The grey, greasy appearance suggests the thin silver plating has long since worn away, revealing the dull base metal underneath.

The “Cancellation” Scratches

The most fascinating part of this coin is the damage on the Queen’s face. You will notice deep, deliberate scratches across the obverse.

This isn’t accidental. This is likely the moment the fraud was discovered. A shopkeeper or publican probably realized the coin was light or felt greasy, took a knife or a nail, and slashed the face to “cancel” it. This ensured the fraudster (or the unfortunate person who unknowingly tried to spend it) couldn’t pass it on to anyone else.

Condition & Grading

Grade: Poor (but historically fascinating)

If this were a genuine coin, it would be scrap. But as a piece of social history, it is invaluable. It represents the “other side” of the Victorian economy.

The Verdict

I keep this alongside my genuine silver coins as a reminder that history isn’t just about Kings and Queens; it’s also about criminals and victims. Someone risked prison to make this, and someone lost a day’s wages when they got stuck with it. It is a gritty, authentic piece of the 19th century.