Help with ID

[Guest Cameron Knowles_I'm_a_Guest]

I have a halfpenny sized coin, with what appears to be a portrait of George III. It has an obverse legend of "GEORIUVS III VIS" and BRITI on the reverse. The portrait seems a little deformed, and the brittania on the reverse is also a little misshapen.

Could this be a contemporary counterfeit? Colonial US? Other???

[Emperor Oli]

The George III Half penny portraits are different from all the others in that the forehead is flatter than the others. This could be the deformity you speak of. However, the legend is incorrect for any coin of George III so it is indeed a forgery. As for when and where I don't know - I'm sure the "Experts" will!

[Chris Perkins]

You'll have to join and let us see a scan really. The wrong legend could be where it's worn away, that may also account for the appearance of the head and Britannia.

Forgeries are very common, so it's quite likely, but I cannot be sure without a picture.

[Cameron Knowles]

Here is the obverse!

[Cameron Knowles]

Here is the reverse!

[Chris Perkins]

Looks like a forgery to me. Not sure if it's an American one or British, but it looks too worn to be highly desireable.

[william]

Is there a date visible on it? I can't see one in the scan. It's obviously a forgery if there isn't one

[Emperor Oli]

Well yes, obviously! I think I can see a faint one in exergue. By the way, how does one pronounce exergue?

[Chris Perkins]

As if it has no 'ue' on the end is what's generally accepted.

[Emperor Oli]

So like "eggs-urg"

[Chris Perkins]

Yes, that's right. Well, at least that's how i've always said it, and no one has ever laughed or looked at me strange.

[Sylvester]

Yes, that's right. Well, at least that's how i've always said it, and no one has ever laughed or looked at me strange.

that's how i say it.

[william]

Me too!

[Cameron Knowles]

Thanks for the feedback on this piece. There is no date discernable. As a counterfeit, does it have any collectible value (despite its admittedly rotten condition?)

This came in a collection with a couple of what look to be Sovereign knock-offs identified by others as "To Hannover Counters". Must have been a collector of the fakes.

Thanks!

Cam

[Emperor Oli]

I don't think so, unless it's rare or has a pedigree, due to the wear on it

[Chris Perkins]

The 'To Hanover counters' are more accurately refered to as 'Cumberland Jacks' as they depict the Duke of Cumberland. They were never intended to be Sovereign fakes and have never really fallen into the forgery catagory.

I doubt also the the Halfpenny is worth much in that condition.

[Cameron Knowles]

Re: Cumberland Jacks... these two I have actually have a Victoria portrait on them, with the St. George/ Dragon on the reverse, and "To Hannover" around the back. Are they similar to the Cumberland Jack?

[Emperor Oli]

They are Cumberland Jacks

[Chris Perkins]

Yes, and it's actually supposed to be the Duke of Cumberland on the horse!

[Emperor Oli]

I have a definition from the Mint:

"Popular name for a counter or medalet of sovereign size, struck unofficially in 1837, in brass. The figure of St George was replaced by the Duke of Cumberland on horseback with the inscription 'To Hanover' a reference to the unpopular Duke of Cumberland, uncle of Queen Victoria, who succeeded to the Hanoverian throne since Victoria, as a female, was debarred by Salic law from inheritance. "