1887 Victoria Half Penny – Jubilee Head Type – Superb Original Lustre and Eye Appeal

1887 Victoria Half Penny – Jubilee Head Type – Superb Original Lustre and Eye Appeal

This listing is for a genuine 1887 Bronze Half Penny of Queen Victoria, struck at the Royal Mint, London. The issue features the celebrated Jubilee Head portrait by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, introduced to mark Victoria’s Golden Jubilee year. It is an iconic type within the late-Victorian bronze series and highly sought after in superior states of preservation.

This particular coin displays outstanding original lustre with rich golden and coppery hues throughout both sides. The strike is sharp and even, with fine detail visible in the Queen’s hair and Britannia’s drapery. Light handling marks only, with exceptional eye appeal and strong mint brilliance retained — a choice example of this date.

Historical Context

The 1887 coinage reform introduced the Jubilee bust across Britain’s silver and bronze denominations, commemorating 50 years of Victoria’s reign. The new design, by Boehm, was paired with Leonard Charles Wyon’s enduring reverse of Britannia — a classical image symbolising Britain’s imperial and maritime power. The half penny remained a key denomination for everyday transactions in late-Victorian society, making high-grade survivors especially desirable.

Coin Details

Country: United Kingdom
Monarch: Queen Victoria (1837–1901)
Denomination: Half Penny (½d)
Date: 1887
Metal: Bronze
Weight: 5.67 g
Diameter: 25.5 mm
Edge: Plain
Mint: Royal Mint, London
Mintage: Approx. 8,000,000

Design

Obverse: Jubilee Head of Queen Victoria facing left, legend VICTORIA D:G: BRITT: REG: F:D:.
Reverse: Britannia seated facing right, holding trident and shield, lighthouse to left and ship to right, legend HALF PENNY with date below.
Designers: Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm (obverse) and Leonard Charles Wyon (reverse).

Condition

Superb lustrous example with vibrant original surfaces and minimal wear. Reverse retains near full cartwheel lustre, obverse delicately toned with warm copper highlights. A premium grade coin with excellent definition and visual appeal.

Collectors’ Notes

An exceptional specimen of the 1887 Half Penny, combining the desirable Jubilee portrait with unusually high lustre and sharp detail. Ideal for collectors seeking top-grade Victorian bronze with originality and character.