1723 Farth Hibernia, DEI.GRATIA, BN MS(PCGS#176)

December 2020 U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

2041

等级

MS63BN

价格

2,989

详细说明

1723 Wood's Hibernia Farthing. Martin 3.9-Bb.1, W-12290. Rarity-5. DEI. GRATIA. REX. MS-63 BN (PCGS). A hard, tight example with a satiny texture to both sides. Warmly patinated in medium brown, tinges of pale rose and sandy-tan are also evident as the coin rotates under a light. Accuracy alone compels us to mention a tiny nick in the right obverse field, as well as a trivial planchet flaw (as made) on King George's cheek. The surfaces are otherwise pleasingly smooth in hand with strong eye appeal. At nearly the same time that he received a patent from the English crown to produce his Rosa Americana coinage for the American colonies, William Wood received a second patent to strike copper coinage for circulation in Ireland. Wood was a metallurgist living in Stafford, England and had expressed interest in producing coins for the crown as early as 1717. He received his patent for the Irish coinage from King George I on June 16, 1722 (it was not ratified until July 22 of that year). Coinage began in 1722 and continued through 1724, with examples produced in farthing and halfpenny denominations. They proved extremely unpopular in Ireland, however, where the coins were viewed as having been produced without local consent and for Wood's personal profit, largely utilizing underweight planchets. Although not originally intended for circulation in the American colonies like his Rosa Americana coinage, many of Wood's Hibernia coppers found their way across the Atlantic after being rejected in Ireland. As such, the series has long been viewed as an integral part of the early American coinage family. We are pleased to present this 1723 halfpenny for the consideration of advanced collectors. It is a lovely Choice Mint State coin, worthy of the strongest bid. PCGS# 176. Click here for certification details from PCGS.