1933/2 Overdate Half Penny

Although evidence of the 1933/2

Overdate

A coin with a numeral in the date punched or tooled over another numeral

 

overdate half penny has existed for quite some time, it is only recently that the coin has been accepted in numismatic circles. In 1933 the treasury requested 4.6 million half pennies be produced but the Melbourne

Mint

a facility that produces coins

 

mint neither had enough

Die

A cylindrical punch with an inverted impression of a coin's design used to strike the coin

 

dies on hand nor enough time to produce them. Consequently, like they did with the penny that year (Learn more about the 1933/2 Overdate Penny), they

Overdate

A coin with a numeral in the date punched or tooled over another numeral

 

overdated 1932

Die

A cylindrical punch with an inverted impression of a coin's design used to strike the coin

 

dies to produce a 1933/3

Overdate

A coin with a numeral in the date punched or tooled over another numeral

 

overdate half penny.

The half penny can be distinguished from the regular 1933 half penny (Learn more about the 1933 Half Penny) by looking closely at the date. The 1933/2

Overdate

A coin with a numeral in the date punched or tooled over another numeral

 

overdate half penny will exhibit a slight forward doubling of the top of the second 3 in the date with the tip of the 2 protruding out the end as in the illustration below.

1933/2 overdate half penny

While neither the penny or half penny are particularly rare in lower grades, in higher grades the opposite is true - both the penny and half penny are incredibly difficult coins to acquire in

Mint state

A state of a coin that shows no signs of circulation

 

mint state and finding one of either denomination in a higher

Mint state

A state of a coin that shows no signs of circulation

 

mint state grade would take a lot of money and patience, in most cases both.

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