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Recent appearances:
PCGS MS-64, Brown. Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins &
Collectibles, Inc.'s "The Benson Collection - Part I",
February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 15, bought back at $1,150.00, where it was described as follows: "1723
Hibernia Farthing, inscribed "D:G: REX", 59.8 grains. PCGS
graded MS-64 Brown. When available, the weights are included from
our consigner, of course, once in a PCGS or other grading service
holder, the weights are subject to guesswork only, unless removed from
the holders. This one has superb surfaces for the grade, We note a
couple of minor ticks on Georgius chin, blended well with the color, and
a tiny mark on the reverse at Liberty's belly button. Glossy brown in
color, with a few very small specks on the reverse. One of just two
coins graded this high, and seldom offered in grades even approaching
this. Sharply struck and a premium coin in every way. William Wood
had won his way into a Royal Patent to produce coins using copper from
his mines in England. However, King George I's mistress absconded with
Wood's Royal Patent and she demanded a ransom for its release. Paying
the ransom greatly increased Wood's costs, and in order to recover some
of the ransom money, he struck coins of light weight, thereby increasing
his profit, but cheating both the Irish and American Colonies of fair
value, and breaking his duty under the patent. The Irish rejected the
coins, and they were eventually foisted on the American Colonies, where
they circulated widely. The trials of the early coiners make for most
interesting study"
PCGS MS-63 Brown (illustrated
above). Ex - Superior Stamp & Coin's
"Pre-Long Beach" sale, February 7-8, 2000, Lot 1477
"VF25". Ex - Superior Galleries' "Pre-Long Beach Coin
Sale" May 27-29, 2001, Lot 1002, not plated, where it was described as follows:
"1723 Wood's Hibernia Farthing Breen-172 VF25. Glossy dark chocolate
brown. The surfaces are smooth and nearly free of marks. Late state of
both dies. The obverse has extensive die cracks while the reverse is
heavily lapped with weak or missing die lines. Weight 59.3 grains." |