Irish 1/2 penny

1781

Place madeEngland

Copper

Overall (diameter): 1 1/8 in. (28mm)

INV.13723b

Coinage specifically for Ireland was minted under Kings George II and George III. Consisting of both halfpennies and farthings, these coins were made in London at the Royal Mint and shipped to Ireland to be placed in circulation. The forgery of copper coins was a lucrative business and there was a high demand for coins in circulation. A large number of contemporary counterfeits of Irish halfpennies were made. The standard of workmanship in the contemporary forgeries varies greatly; some specimens being as well made as the official Royal Mint pieces and others being very poorly executed and obviously much lighter and thinner. Both counterfeits and official coins made their way to America and circulated in the colonial economy.

DescriptionDie struck copper coin, obverse depicts a laureate left-facing bust of George III surrounded by legend "GEORGIUS III REX"; reverse depicts a crowned harp with the legend "HIBERNIA 1781"

Markingsstruck obverse "GEORGIUS III REX" struck reverse "HIBERNIA 1781"

ClassificationsCOINS & TOKENS