Jamaica 1885 penny
This specimen was lot 34082 in Heritage sale 3098 (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $2,880. The catalog description[1] noted, "Jamaica: British Colony. Victoria Proof Penny 1885 PR64 PCGS. A glassy Proof of scarce quality, revealing a cameo contrast at indirect viewing angles, with reflectivity in the fields underlying a gold-streaked silver patina." The official coinage of Jamaica begins with issues of copper-nickel farthings, half pennies and pennies during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). In 1937, with the accession of George VI, the composition was changed to nickel brass and issued in this manner until the end of sterling coinage in 1967. This particular type was struck 1869-1901 and is common in worn condition.
Recorded mintage: 48,000 plus proofs.
Specification: 9 g, copper-nickel, 30 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 17.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Pridmore, F., The Coins of the British Commonwealth of Nations to the end of the Reign of George VI 1952: Part 3, Bermuda, British Guiana, British Honduras and the British West Indies, London: Spink & Son, 1965.
- Stickney, Brian, A Monetary History of Central America, New York: American Numismatic Society, 2017.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, NYINC World Coins Signature Auction 3098, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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