1670s NJ 1/2P Saint Patrick, BN MS(PCGS#46)

November 2019 Baltimore Colonial Coins and Americana Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

6001

等级

XF40BN

价格

21,055

详细说明

Choice St. Patrick Halfpenny Longtime Guide BookPlate Coin St. Patrick Halfpenny. Vlack 1-A. Large Letters. EF-40 (PCGS). 146.7 grains. Glossy medium brown with choice, smooth surfaces and outstanding visual appeal. Well centered and complete, with full legends on both sides. Three different brass splashes are visible on the obverse. Two small round splashes are seen within the crown, but a larger amorphous splash covers the kneeling king’s shoulder and the harp’s shoulder as well. Aside from a bit of harmless surface dirt around the crown, this piece presents no flaws whatsoever. A small quantity of these enigmatic pieces were introduced into commerce in West Jersey (today's New Jersey) by Mark Newby when he arrived there on November 19, 1681. Newby, a former shopkeeper in Dublin, Ireland, became a member of the West Jersey Legislature and, through the act of May 8, 1682, was able to gain "current pay" status for these St. Patrick's coins. Opinions differ as to exactly which size of copper Newby brought with him, the smaller size currently referred to as a farthing or the larger size now known as a halfpenny. The smaller size is more plentiful in numismatic circles and, since it is also the type represented in metal detector finds in America, many believe that it is the "farthing" that accompanied Newby when he left Ireland, although the aforementioned act of May 8, 1682 referred to the coins as "half-pence." Both types are widely collected by American numismatists, often as precursors to the later New Jersey state coppers of 1786 to 1788. Provenance: From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers. Plated in A Guide Book of United States Coins, 1960 to 1981 editions. PCGS# 46. Click here for certification details from PCGS.