Heavyweight Halfpenny

[arthurcrown]

I've this William and Mary Halfpenny in my collection. It's not in the best condition, pitted and the reverse is very worn but it's all that was available in my price range at the time.

It's 28.5 mm in diameter but weighs in at a slightly obese 12.0g, more than a good example should. I've read contemporary forgeries sometimes used lead in the mix making the coin heavier than it should be. Also there are a few genuine issues which used a heavier flan.

Any thought as to which this coin this camp might be in ?

Thanks

[Michael-Roo]

Although your coin is certainly at the top end it is still within the accepted diameter and weight ranges for the 1694s. I have several of these heavier examples too. I don't think our coins are particularly unusual.

Just in case you're not familiar with Nicholson's notes (though you probably are!), here's the link.

http://www.colincooke.com/coinpages/nicholson_part1.html

[arthurcrown]

Just had a look through the Nicholson collection. Pretty amazing that there's upto a 50% weight variation between some examples.

I'd imagine during the minting process it was hard to estimate how many pieces could be produced from a given amount of copper owing to this.

To the untrained eye (me included) it also makes it pretty hard to judge the coins authenticity against some of the better under or overweight counterfeit pieces.

[Rob]

My heaviest one is 13.47g

[Michael-Roo]

Just had a look through the Nicholson collection. Pretty amazing that there's upto a 50% weight variation between some examples.

I'd imagine during the minting process it was hard to estimate how many pieces could be produced from a given amount of copper owing to this.

To the untrained eye (me included) it also makes it pretty hard to judge the coins authenticity against some of the better under or overweight counterfeit pieces.

Here's one of the heavier examples I have. 28.5-29mm. 11.9g.

[arthurcrown]

Looks quite a nice example, i'm after one around that grade to replace my worn one. The price jumps quite significantly between the two though.

[Michael-Roo]

Yours doesn't look so bad. As you say, its a little worn but, clearly, it had been a nice strong strike.

[Michael-Roo]

Looks quite a nice example, i'm after one around that grade to replace my worn one. The price jumps quite significantly between the two though.

I bought that one on ebay for £23 around three years ago.

[arthurcrown]

This is the reverse which lets it down quite badly unfortunately

[Michael-Roo]

Yeah. Unfortunately, its quite pitted, isn't it.

[Michael-Roo]

I see you've put your coin on ebay!

[arthurcrown]

Yeah it's upgrade time ! Bought what I could get hold of fairly cheaply early on to get a run of each Monarch, mostly halfpennys and sixpences.

I've decided having a nice grade piece is more important than just having one to fill a gap.

[Peckris]

Yeah it's upgrade time ! Bought what I could get hold of fairly cheaply early on to get a run of each Monarch, mostly halfpennys and sixpences.

I've decided having a nice grade piece is more important than just having one to fill a gap.

Good idea. But don't get rid of your low grade stuff until AFTER you've upgraded!