Halfpenny 1861, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

The obverse of the coin shows the young effigy of Queen Victoria by Leonard Charles Wyon, which is widely known as the "Bun Head" due to the Queen's hairstyle.

The portrait depicts Queen Victoria facing left, wearing a bodice and a mantle decorated with rose, thistle and shamrock (the floral symbols of the constituent parts of the United Kingdom - England, Scotland and Ireland respectively); in her hair is a wreath of leaves and berries tied at back with ribbon, her hair is drawn to a plaited bun behind; she wears a circular brooch; at the back of her shoulder, a small part of the Star of the Garter is visible, with a small part of its motto ("HONI SO") readable.

Around, the monarch's legend: VICTORIA D : G : BRITT : REG : F : D :. Translated from Latin: Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Britains, Defender of the Faith.

Freeman describes several obverse varieties:

Obverse 4
Similar to Obverse 3 but there are now 15 leaves in the wreath (where they were 14 before); there are only four berries. The border teeth are short.

Obverse 5
Similar to Obverse 4 but there are no incuse lines at the upper part of the "bun". However, there are now double incuse lines depicting the veins in some leaves, The lettering of the legend is heavier.

Obverse 6
Similar to Obverse 5 but the veins of seven leaves now have double incuse lines. The eye is set farther back from the bridge of the nose compared to earlier obverses.

Obverse 7
A new obverse corresponding to Obverse 6 of the one penny. The Queen's nose is now slightly curved, as is the mouth; her hair is more wavy. There are 16 leaves in the wreath. All leaf veins are in relief.

The reverse of the coin shows, within a beaded border, the figure of Britannia - the female personification of Great Britain - seated facing right, wearing a Corinthian helmet pushed back to reveal her face, resting her right hand on a shield bearing the combined crosses of the Union Flag, and holding a trident in her left hand.

In the background at right, a ship sailing away; at left, a lighthouse.

Around left and right, the denomination HALF PENNY.

In exergue, the date 1861.

On most 1861 half pennies there are no designer's initials (L.C.W.) on the reverse. However, on some coins it is found on the rock under Britannia's feet, to the left of the lighthouse.

Freeman describes several reverse varieties:

Reverse D
A touched-up version of Reverse C. The breastplate is depicted by incuse lines, as is the drapery below Britannia's waist.

Reverse E
Similar to Reverse D but has the designer's initials L.C.W. incuse on the rock above the 8 and 6 of the date.

Reverse F
This is a distinctive reverse, with Britannia's shoulder smaller and the hair descending from the back of her head almost in line with the arm. The details of her breastplate are in relief. The rim of the shield is flat, where previously it was recessed.

Reverse G
Similar to Reverse B, but Britannia's head is slightly larger. The breastplate has incuse lines. The lighthouse is not as narrow as before, and the windows are larger; there is a small door at the right on its base. The linear circle is closer to the toothed border.

The "normal" coins for the year are taken to be those with Obverse 3 and Reverse E (Freeman 269).

References to additional information:

[Book] Bressett, Kenneth E. 1962. A Guidebook of English Coins, Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. Wisconsin, USA. pp24-25
[Book] Freeman, Michael J. 1970. The Bronze Coinage of Great Britain. Motherwell, Scotland, (2016 ed. pp 76-84)
[Book] Remick, Jerome. 1971. The Guide Book and Catalogue to British Commonwealth Coins., p197