Lot 19
St. Patrick Silver "Farthing". PCGS graded AU-55. A rare silver example of this important Colonial issue, the surfaces are pleasing and smooth save for some minute granularity at the centers, probably as struck. No handling marks worthy of note, and this is likely one of the finest examples extant in silver. One minor toning streak through the harp to the King, otherwise a dark silvery gray color. Fairly well struck, with some details on the obverse face, less so on the reverse. These coins are notorious for their weak strikes, and the Garrett collection contained the only finer examples. PCGS has graded only 2 this high, with none graded higher in silver, of a total of just 8 examples graded. A foremost rarity in top grade, and worthy of the finest collection.
This is a regular die issue but was struck in silver, known as an "off metal striking". These St. Patrick or Newbie's coppers were struck in the Tower Mint in London around 1641-42. The Catholic troops of Charles I had to be paid, and once the Long Parliament seized the Tower Mint, these coins were used to pay the loyalist troops fighting Cromwell's Protestant forces in the Ulster Rebellion. The tide turned against the King, and soon Cromwell was in charge, and the new ruling Protestants suppressed everything Catholic, such as these coins. The St. Patrick coins went into hiding. Next these coins appeared in Catholic Ireland and the Isle of Man, where they circulated until they were declared uncurrent in 1679. Mark Newbie, a Quaker, moved to Ireland and bought up a great many of these coins knowing that small change would be a valuable commodity in America, where he was planning to join fellow Quakers in 1681. Newbie used his considerable political influence to have these coins made legal tender, forcing their acceptance by the populace. Newbie died a year after his arrival in the Colonies, but his coins continued to circulate for many generations to come.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000.
From the Paul Arthur Norris Collection.
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| Realized $8,338 |
