1761 counterfeit halfpenny - interesting legend...

[Voynov_BG]

Hi

Interesting legend, I have many counterfeit halfpennys George III but never seen this legend:

BINTANNAR GRVOIS III RAX

Very illiterate counterfeiters, if you encounter similar coins from the same year would be glad to upload photos here.

[Peckris]

Hi

Interesting legend, I have many counterfeit halfpennys George III but never seen this legend:

BINTANNAR GRVOIS III RAX

Very illiterate counterfeiters, if you encounter similar coins from the same year would be glad to upload photos here.

Interesting. Most forgeries are from the actual series issued, especially 1775 (the last date of issue). This falls between those dates and the period of token proliferation, so may have been an early attempt at a kind of token. And it may not be illiteracy - it may simply have been an optimistic attempt to stave off prosecution ("What me officer? Forger? No way! Look at the legend.") Don't forget there was a small change shortage, and people tried all kinds of ways to get around it.