1722
Rosa Americana ½ Pence - 1723 Hibernia Farthing: Set
of Two Colonials
The
numismatic adventure can be enriched by acquiring groups of
coins in meaningful combinations. Sets of coins can run from
two pieces to many. In the areas of rare date and early silver
and gold coins we have established certain sets of special
interest. They include the first and last of an issue, type
sets, design sets, year sets, and those that are joined by
historical events such as the Civil War. The coins of each
set are specially selected for you and your collecting needs.
We are specialists in this
area and will expertly and confidentially help you assemble
a set similar to the one you see below, which is made up of
pieces from the US Rare Coin Investments’ archives.
We will cherry pick through millions of dollars of rare coins
selecting only the finest quality pieces for your collection.
A Set of Two Colonials:
1722 Rosa Americana ½ P and 1723 Hibernia Farthing
An Englishman by the name
of William Wood obtained a patent from King George I to
make tokens for use in Ireland and America. Wood owned several
copper and tin mines, and through the King’s mistress,
the Duchess of Kendal, he obtained a royal indenture to
make coins for Ireland. She then assisted him in obtaining
another indenture to make coins for America.
The coins were made of 75%
brass, 20% zinc, and 5% silver, called Bath metal. They
had to be heated prior to striking to keep the dies from
cracking. As a result, gas bubbles that formed in the metal
caused the coins to have porous surfaces. Wood must have
been experimenting earlier since several patterns are dated
1717. Under terms of the patent, Wood could produce coins
for fourteen years with not more than 300 tons of metal.
He had to pay the King 100 pounds each year and the king’s
comptroller 200 pounds each year. Wood was convinced to
accept a pension of 3,000 pounds annually to give up his
patent.
1722
Rosa Americana ½ Pence
- This mint state, lustrous Rosa Americana colonial
half-penny has a strong central strike on both sides.
The portrait of King George is fully detailed as is
the rose design of the reverse. No wear is seen, as
expected for a mint state coin. The surfaces are clean
with no major distractions for the grade. The coin
is a uniformly dark chocolate brown on both sides.
The rose is a cynical piece of flattery
to the King. It falsely praises him as the successor
to the Platagenets and Tudors. Everyone knew that
this king of German origin refused to even try to
learn English. He regarded the British crown as much
less important as the Hanoverian and Holy Roman Empire
titles.
Wood also made Hibernia coinage for
Ireland; however, the King had not consulted with
the Irish Parliament before it was authorized. Perceived
as an insult, the coinage was spurned. Both houses
of the Irish Parliament petitioned the King to withdraw
it. Coinage was suspended in March of 1723. Although
unaware of the suspension, satirist and author of
“Gulliver’s Travels,” Jonathan Swift
wrote “The Drapier’s Letters,” in
which he ridiculed William Wood for making an inferior
coinage and accused him of bribery and fraud as well.
Finally, in 1725 Wood gave up his
patent and accepted a pension for three years. In
1737 all of William Wood’s coins were withdrawn
from circulation and bought for their bullion value.
They were then shipped to the American Colonies where
they remained in circulation until the Civil War.
Examples have been found in parts of New England,
New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
1723
Hibernia Farthing - This lovely
1723 Hibernia Silver Farthing Pattern (Breen-173)
coin shows light, lustrous devices and contrasting
darker fields. Hints of rose and light green toning
are seen on both sides.
The proof-like surfaces are remarkably
clean and free of distractions one might usually find,
which is in keeping with the gem grade that is confirmed
by the CAC sticker. One would think that this exceptional
coin that has survived for so long would be impossible
to obtain in such a high state of preservation.
The usually weak centers often seen
on coins of this issue are strong and bold. Slight
weakness is seen on the dentils of the reverse, more
so on the obverse.
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