✅ SOLVED KG I halfpenny or farthing or something else?

[dgoodyear]

I found a copper last week in a recently cut corn field that I've been trying to identify. My wife thinks I'm weird staring at it so much with a flashlight. I'm pretty certain its King George I on it based on the head facing right and the shape of the face and nose. However, it doesn't appear to line up with any regular KG I halfpenny designs I've seen online except possibly a Woods Hibernia Type I variety. From what details are left under light (the pics may not do it justice), there is a bust facing right that looks like KG I. You can see the last few letters of TIA, presumably from the word GRATIA and then a * or break and then the start of the next letter, I believe R. There's also worn lettering on the left side of the obverse which sort of matches too. The reverse is much more worn except the line across the bottom and a pretty distinct 7 on the right side of the coin just below middle. The only thing that I've seen that remotely looks like this is the Woods Hibernia Type I which were made in 1722 (Wood's Halfpenny - 1722 - Type I). I put it next to a KGI I found earlier this year and its a bit smaller. I don't know if that's typical or because its pretty worn. I'm not sure if there's a type I farthing that matches this either. I'm sure there's the possibility of counterfeits too, but I know other old KG coins have come out of the same field before.

Are there any other KG I type coins out there where the date would line up on the right side like this or the GRATIA wording line up as well? I couldn't find anything from the regular KG I halfpenny or farthings I've been looking at online. Typically the date is at the bottom on the reverse. I'm not sure if I can get better pics. I'd like to believe but would love other's thoughts or suggestions.

 

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[Iron Patch]

King George I Farthing makes the most sense to me, and it may be a cast counterfeit which may partially explain the poor condition.

 

[dgoodyear]

Found a ruler in my desk.. hooray! and checked the measurements.. its around 26 to 27mm depending on how I turn it. That would probably make it more halfpenny sized? I know it was whacked by a plow a few times

 

[Iron Patch]

Found a ruler in my desk.. hooray! and checked the measurements.. its around 26 to 27mm depending on how I turn it. That would probably make it more halfpenny sized? I know it was whacked by a plow a few times

Yes. Just remember there's two sizes for the George I Halfpenny. The dump issue 1717-1719 and the 2nd issue for 1719-1724.

 

[dgoodyear]

I was looking at this some more with a light (and weird looks from my wife) and what I thought is a clear 7 on the right may not be a 7 there. At the right angle, there's a break or so in part of it and I now believe the shape comes from the top of the harp on one of the Woods hibernia's with the harp on the right side. The front is a pretty clear match to me for any of the Woods hibernia designs I've seen that have King George I facing right, with the right face and nose shape and the Gratia Rex lettering. The TIA and R are easily visible. Just from those few things, it only seems to match a Woods Hibernia. I'm not sure which year now but there's only a couple of years for those at least. None of the regular George I half-penny's I've seen have the same wording like that. It's my best guess now at least.

 

[DCMatt]

Wow. Toasty... I think you're on the right track. IMO there's just enough detail to confirm 1720's Hibernia half penny (26mm).

 

[dgoodyear]

Thanks! I wish I could get a better lighting pic, it might make it easier. Good idea changing a filter on it. I think towards the top middle, the edge of the face lines up too a bit. But yeah, fairly toasty on the back. Farm field coins! Think I'm calling it about as identified as its going to get.

Thanks again.