1722 Farth Hibernia, BN MS(PCGS#161)

1722 Farth Hibernia, BN MS (PCGS#161)

The March 2013 Baltimore Auction

详细说明: 1722 Wood's Hibernia Farthing. Martin 1.1-A.1, W-12200, the only known dies. Rarity-5. MS-65 BN (PCGS). 38.58 grains. A significant rarity in the Wood's Hibernia series, considered a pattern by most. With their distinctive surface quality, pattern status seems likely, and certification status as a Specimen seems warranted. While Martin assigns this variety a Rarity-5 assignment, just three have been certified in all grades by PCGS. The Boyd-Ford specimen rocketed to a final realization of $12,650 in 2005, suggesting serious collector interest. This piece is of similar quality to the Ford coin, perhaps even a touch finer, with beautiful and slightly reflective violet-brown fields framed on both sides by rich mint red, particularly strong in protected areas of the reverse. Some light parallel horizontal striations are visible on the reverse, indicative of planchet preparation; less on the obverse, though on is visible on George's cheek. Free of marks or serious spots, a choice coin even for this lofty grade. The Ford sale notes that Boyd was offered a "proof" by B.G. Johnson (presumably ex: Col. Green) in September 1943, but Boyd already owned one and declined. Your cataloger wonders if this is the coin Boyd was offered.