In the UK, George II and III half penny's are considered "not old / new", and not of much interest or value. Usually they are quite worn and end up being thrown away in the bin (that's trash can for those of you from Kentucky). George reigned from 1760-1820.
Here in the states, when a George is found we rightfully get all excited as these coins were used here as currency during Colonial times.
Needless to say, when I dug the George III half penny and saw what good condition it was in I was pleased. I got all excited when I rubbed off the dirt and saw the date .... 1776! Certainly a key historical date for our country. That night I washed the half penny and took photos to enlarge to see it better.
Yesterday, I looked in the Spink Coins of England book to compare it to my photos and to see if the half penny had any value.
I discovered George III didn't issue any half penny's at all in 1776. The last half penny was issued in 1775. The next low value coin George III issued was in 1797 when George III introduced the cartwheel penny and twopence both issued for only one year.
Google revealed the 1797 half penny is a counterfeit likely made in Birmingham, UK. To me, the counterfeit 1776 half penny is way more interesting than a legal issue 1775 in the same condition.
[attachment 34133 georgeIIIhalfpenny1776.jpg]
A couple years ago, when detecting in Maryland, I dug a Colonial blacksmith copper ... a counterfeit George II or III (I forget) half penny. This was dicsovered to be counterfeit because George on the obverse and Britania on the reverse were both facing the wrong direction and George's bust was a bit larger than the legal issue. The counterfeits were blamed on the Colonial's but in reality were produced by button and medal manufacturers in England.
The counterfeits were designed and made to appear worn thus increasing their acceptance as legal tender in the colonies and giving credence to them being produced by the less talented Colonial blacksmiths.
Here in the states, when a George is found we rightfully get all excited as these coins were used here as currency during Colonial times.
Needless to say, when I dug the George III half penny and saw what good condition it was in I was pleased. I got all excited when I rubbed off the dirt and saw the date .... 1776! Certainly a key historical date for our country. That night I washed the half penny and took photos to enlarge to see it better.
Yesterday, I looked in the Spink Coins of England book to compare it to my photos and to see if the half penny had any value.
I discovered George III didn't issue any half penny's at all in 1776. The last half penny was issued in 1775. The next low value coin George III issued was in 1797 when George III introduced the cartwheel penny and twopence both issued for only one year.
Google revealed the 1797 half penny is a counterfeit likely made in Birmingham, UK. To me, the counterfeit 1776 half penny is way more interesting than a legal issue 1775 in the same condition.
[attachment 34133 georgeIIIhalfpenny1776.jpg]
A couple years ago, when detecting in Maryland, I dug a Colonial blacksmith copper ... a counterfeit George II or III (I forget) half penny. This was dicsovered to be counterfeit because George on the obverse and Britania on the reverse were both facing the wrong direction and George's bust was a bit larger than the legal issue. The counterfeits were blamed on the Colonial's but in reality were produced by button and medal manufacturers in England.
The counterfeits were designed and made to appear worn thus increasing their acceptance as legal tender in the colonies and giving credence to them being produced by the less talented Colonial blacksmiths.