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Halfpenny (small size), with a brass plug (crown on the obverse) impressed into the flan to help prevent counterfeiting and also to creat the illusion the royal crown is made of gold.
Obverse: King David kneeling playing a harp, while gazing up at the Crown of England. On the pillar of the harps leg is a semi-nude winged female figure.
Legend: FLOREAT REX. (May the King Flourish).
Reverse: St Patrick dressed as the pope with patriarchal cross driving away demons. Dublin cathedral on the right.
from IrelandLegend: QVIESCAT PLEBS. (May the People Be at Peace).
Catalogue: Spink# 6569.
Mint: Uncertain there are many theories, possibly Dublin or The Tower of London or even the Catholic Church.
There are two varieties, the Large size and the smaller size. The most likely date of mintage is 1646-1660 for the small and 1688-1690 for the large, both issues are Halfpennies.
There are reported to be many die variations and approximately 1,100 specimens known, probably a lot higher with so many die varieties suggests the coins were produced over a long period of time and probably at several mints at least.
Copper with brass insert, the worn example featured is 4.49g, 24mm with a milled edge.
Often found well worn and this coin is no exception.
Grade: US G-4.
A quantity of these coins circulated on the Isle of Man for a short period of time.
On 24th March, 1675 a boat sailing from Dublin to Chester sank and from the wreck a coin hoard was later retrieved, which included one of these St. Patrick's halfpennies.
In 1681 a Quaker, Mark Newby emigrated from Dublin Ireland to America with a quantity of these coins. He settled in Camden, West New Jersey and was instrumental in making these coins legal tender as Farthings in the region of New Jersey.
It is believed further striking of these coins were made in America in the following years.
Krause catalogue World coins 17th century lists a St. Patrick or Mark Newby Farthing (1682) KM# 1, and the larger issue as a Halfpenny KM#2.
United States coins (Red book), under Colonial Issues lists these coins under New Jersey. St. Patrick or Mark Newby Coinage.
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