Limerick Farthing - James II ?

[Unwilling Numismatist 505]

I welcome some input please

I found this while out walking with a spade and detector, and its actually not in terrible nick given what it appears to be. I'd be most grateful of some confirmation though, as I'm normally wrong with anything before 1722.

As per the title, I think it's a James II Limerick farthing.

[Paddy 1,539]

Certainly looks like that to me. I have it in the Coincraft book of 1999 and it fits everything there. Date will be 1691 although they note that the "1" is struck in such a way that it can look like a "3". You also have the "reversed N in Hibenia" variation, which is recognised.

The book gives a value in VG of £50 - but this was in 1999...

 

[Unwilling Numismatist 505]

Thanks @Paddy, as for the date, it's a bit too destroyed to read but all I've seen would suggest that it can only be 1691 for this coin.

It was found in the trackmarks of a rather large excavator, so I think it's fared quite well!

As for £50, if someone wants to pay that or more, I'll happily let them (Other forms of payment are also accepted lol)

[mrbadexample 985]

56 minutes ago, Paddy said:

You also have the "reversed N in Hibernia" variation...

How do you write your Ns Paddy? 

[Paddy 1,539]

28 minutes ago, mrbadexample said:

How do you write your Ns Paddy? 

My mistook! It is a normal N - must have been too early in the morning. Anyway, Coincraft reckon that way is worth £10 more...

 

[mrbadexample 985]

9 minutes ago, Paddy said:

My mistook! It is a normal N - must have been too early in the morning. Anyway, Coincraft reckon that way is worth £10 more...

 

I was starting to wonder if it was me. 

[Unwilling Numismatist 505]

I have so much trouble spelling anyway that I probably wouldn't have noticed either way lol

[copper123 1,352]

Sounds like a bargain a james II farthing for £50

[Peter 615]

If I ever paid £50 for the farthing....shoot me.

[Unwilling Numismatist 505]

1 hour ago, Peter said:

If I ever paid £50 for the farthing....shoot me.

I think anyone who pays that much for this fugly thing needs more than just shooting , I'm sure I'll find out soon if I need some ammo.

 

[Paddy 1,539]

If it was English Tin I would have it like a shot! I don't do Irish coinage, despite my name.

[oldcopper 275]

The normal N variety is much rarer than the reversed N, so that's an even better find.

[Ukstu 436]

It may look rough and battered but somebody would buy it. Coins of James II don't turn up often due to his short reign especially these farthings. Nice piece of history , great find!

[DrLarry 441]

I am not sure if it of interest in this thread but there is a limerick Half penny James II 1689 listed on e bay at the moment I noticed and it also has the same N not  reversed.  It is a strange character seemingly having been over stamped possibly I suppose on gun money??? apologies if this is not exactly about this topic   

Edited July 18, 2018 by DrLarry

[Ukstu 436]

18 minutes ago, DrLarry said:

I am not sure if it of interest in this thread but there is a limerick Half penny James II 1689 listed on e bay at the moment I noticed and it also has the same N not  reversed.  It is a strange character seemingly having been over stamped possibly I suppose on gun money??? apologies if this is not exactly about this topic   

Yes your correct. Limerick was besieged in 1691. The large issue shillings were restruck as half pennies and the small shillings became farthings i think. 

Edited July 18, 2018 by Ukstu

[DrLarry 441]

6 minutes ago, Ukstu said:

Yes your correct. Limerick was besieged in 1691. The large issue shillings were restruck as half pennies and the small shillings became farthings i think. 

oh thanks for that I also as Paddy said do not collect irish coins but they are interesting as part of the historical connections.  I have always wanted a St Patrick's farthing but these days with all the fake ones around it is always a bit of a gamble 

[Ukstu 436]

Good read here about variations within the Gunmoney series. Third series covers the half pennies & farthings. 

https://oldcurrencyexchange.com/2014/06/15/james-ii-gunmoney-a-photo-blog-of-the-known-variations/

Edited July 18, 2018 by Ukstu

[DrLarry 441]

12 minutes ago, Ukstu said:

Good read here about variations within the Gunmoney series

https://oldcurrencyexchange.com/2014/06/15/james-ii-gunmoney-a-photo-blog-of-the-known-variations/

interesting it is strange how some parts of history have fascination the Jacobite period being one , thanks I am reading it. 

[Unwilling Numismatist 505]

39 minutes ago, Ukstu said:

Good read here about variations within the Gunmoney series. Third series covers the half pennies & farthings. 

https://oldcurrencyexchange.com/2014/06/15/james-ii-gunmoney-a-photo-blog-of-the-known-variations/

Thanks Stu, that was indeed a good read!