Low "S", Plain "7", Re-punched "4" (Bug)
1874 Newfoundland 50 Cents · Victoria
This variety is also easy to identify from its Re-punched "4", which has a tiny squashed "BUG" beneath its base. It appears to be unique only to this particular variety, which also has a slight tail at the end of the cross in the "4". This modification is particularly interesting because there seems to be no logical reason why this specific alteration was made. It is possible that it may have been a mint error but it appears more like the remnants of some other unknown digit. In addition, this variety illustrates definite signs of Re-engraving to the "C" and "S" but they are not nearly as extensive as those found on the preceding variation. Finally, it should be mentioned that the "7" found of these coins, appears to be a Plain, Unaltered numeral. Note: With the subsequent revision to this TYPE II variety, it now appears certain that there are two uniquely different varieties within the two examples displayed in this section. The first of these does not appear to have any significant signs of over-punching to the “7”, whereas the second example displays definite signs that this digit has been Modified! I suppose that these could be classified as a TYPE II (a) and TYPE II (b) with both varieties having a Re-punched “4”!
Key details
Reference photographs
Every coin of this variety in Barry's study, with all of its photographs. Use these to confirm a match.