Just because you may not see the engraver’s initials on a 1870 fifty-cents doesn’t necessarily mean that it is real variety. Maybe the coin is really worn or, even worse, sometimes someone might mischievously scratch off the initials along the truncation of Victoria’s neck in order to fool you. Thankfully, there are a couple of other indicators that distinguish the Obverse 1 (No LCW) and Obverse 2 (LCW).
No LCW (Obverse 1)
LCW (Obverse 2)
First, is there a Shamrock in the Queen’s crown behind the front jewel? Obverse 1 (No LCW) does not have the Shamrock, whereas Obverse 2 (LCW) does.
No LCW (Obverse 1)
LCW (Obverse 2)
And second, the shape of the Queens hair bun is also different and can be distinguished even low grades as well. Where the bun meets the back of Victoria’s head, the hair comes straight down on the No LCW and is rounded on the LCW.
No LCW (Obverse 1)
