Lot 2897
Great Britain. Halfpenny, 1694. S.3452; KM-475.3. William and Mary. Obverse; Conjoined busts of William and Mary as joint monarchs. GVLIELMVS ET MARIA. Reverse; Britannia seated BRITAN NIA around and date in exergue below. The William and Mary currency Halfpenny is usually a badly made coin, but this specimen is mint state with well struck portraits. A hint of mint red and a glossy original sheen. A coin which is not difficult to obtain in low grades, but is practically impossible to find in this state of preservation. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. WINGS. Estimate Value $1,300 - 1,500
* In his book Peck notes that by 1692 public resentment at the continued use of tin coins was sufficient to bring their issue to an end. Mr Neale, then Master of the Mint, set out in a statement dated 9 June 1693 that he intended originally to produce 24 pence to the pound, although this seemed to fall to around 21 pence to the pound as production of halfpennies (and farthings) got underway in 1694. The dark, often black tone of the William and Mary pieces contrasts with the usually reddish-brown color of the copper coins of Charles II. On December 28 1694, almost exactly six months after the start of this coinage, the queen died (of smallpox) and a new obverse became necessary.
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| Realized $2,350 |
