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George III 1770 Halfpenny, unusual style
George III (1760-1820), copper Halfpenny, 1770, trial piece(?), laureate and cuirassed bust right, only two leaves visible above head, facial profile differs with stub nose and pronounced forehead ridge, thin neck, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS. III. REX. lettering both sides with "fish-tail" bottoms suggesting striking of proof method rather than currency, rev. Britannia seated left on globe with spear and olive branch, more finely engraved robe with extra fold at leg level, date in exergue, weight 9.08g (cf. Peck 893; S.3774). Toned well struck, a mere hint of lustre, almost extremely fine.
The Latin legend translates as on obverse "George III, King" and on reverse " of the Britons," This intriguing piece seems far too good to be the production of a contemporary forger and the quality of the engraving and level of detail is superior to currency. Being the first year of the Halfpenny of George III it maybe appropriate to think this as an unpublished trial piece though it is about half a gram lighter in weight than a currency piece. It seems as though it has been admired as a pocket piece over the years and was once in the famed "basement" stock of A H Baldwin as an oddity and was sold to a private collector in 2006 as "different" to a regular currency piece.