Jamaica 1887 penny
This specimen was lot 41268 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Oklahoma City, OK, August 2025), where it sold for $660. The catalog description[1] noted, "JAMAICA. Penny, 1887. London Mint. Victoria. NGC MS-65. Presenting tremendous iridescent color across both sides, this blazing Gem is tied with just one other for the top spot in the NGC census." 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: 24,000.
Specification: 9 g, copper-nickel, 30 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-17; Prid-17.
- Byrne, Ray, Coins and Tokens of the Caribees, Decatur, IL: Jess Peters, Inc., 1975.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th 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.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2025 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Richard August Collection and the Richard Margolis Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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