The damaged sixpence, originally discovered inside an album at a car boot sale in Greater Manchester, England, features deep depressions, elevated ridges, and stepped surfaces across its central portrait. Researchers employed scanning electron microscopy, chemical testing, and 3D optical surface profilometry to examine the metal distortions. Although tests detected localized corrosion and altered alloy concentrations in the crevices, these factors failed to explain the structural shifts. The findings, published in the journal *npj Heritage Science*, confirm that the deformation was caused by repeated strikes of intense, localized pressure during production.
Key points
The coin's intact outer rim and deformed center indicate repeated applications of concent…: The coin's intact outer rim and deformed center indicate repeated applications of concentrated pressure during the minting process.
Researchers ruled out ordinary wear, corrosion, and single late impacts as the causes of…: Researchers ruled out ordinary wear, corrosion, and single late impacts as the causes of the structural damage.
The scientific investigation was detailed and published by researchers in the journal npj…: The scientific investigation was detailed and published by researchers in the journal npj Heritage Science.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Date:
- November 11, 2026
- Source:
- IA STUDIO
- Summary:
- A bizarrely deformed 1834 British silver coin found at a car boot sale may preserve evidence of a rare minting accident nearly 200 years ago. Advanced 3D scans and microscopic analysis revealed unusual metal distortions suggesting the coin was crushed under extreme pressure, potentially during its original production.
- Share:
A badly distorted British silver coin dating to 1834 may hold evidence of an unusual accident during the minting process nearly 200 years ago. New scientific analysis suggests that the remarkable damage to the coin was more likely caused by a manufacturing problem than by ordinary wear, corrosion, or a later impact.
The findings, reported by IA STUDIO in the journal npj Heritage Science, center on a silver sixpence issued during the reign of King William IV. The coin was found in an album containing various coins at a car boot sale in Greater Manchester, England. Although the sixpence had an individual price tag of £8, the entire album was subsequently purchased as a single lot…
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