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Reeded edge, coin turn dies, 180º turn when coin is flipped on its horizontal axis. An
incredibly lovely and simply astonishing gem Specimen strike of this popular and desirable
Heaton Mint issue. Highly reflective fields and frosty motifs display rich golden gray,
lilac, and faint electric blue iridescence. Design motifs are as sharp as ever seen on a
Canadian coin of the denomination, a definite plus for all concerned. From a small,
unrecorded Specimen mintage for the date; indeed, the Krause-Mishler 19th Century World
Coin Catalogue notes specimen sets of 1881, but not mentioning the Heaton Mint. An
extraordinarily beautiful item, the sort of coin that makes you want to collect Canadian
issues.The letter punches used on the obverse of this particular die were obviously
beginning to show their age. For instance, the first I in VICTORIA has an obviously
patched top, while the second I is missing the upper left serif; this same I punch is used
in DEI. The I in GRATIA REGINA is more like a candlestick with a blunt top that shows no
serifs. Additionally, the upper curve of the G in REGINA is "broken" as is the
bottom of the D in CANADA. Elsewhere in CANADA, the lowest serifs on each A are rounded
and nearly missing, and the two bottom serifs on the N are non existent.
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