 1722 Woods Hibernia halfpenny. B-146, N-4. AU-55. 117.8 grains. Probably Uncirculated in a technical sense. Pleasing even light brown with glossy surfaces, showing lovely preservation and good eye appeal. Some lustre remains, perhaps best revealed by a light brushing. A fascinating coin to study and an unusual piece within this popular series. The planchet was produced imperfectly and shows some flaws on the edge (not the rim, an important distinction) below 6:00 on the obverse and in the area of 2:00 in relation to the obverse. Further, this piece was struck from the most fatigued dies we have seen in this series, making otherwise straight lines in characters and devices appear blurry and indistinct. Wood’s pieces were generally well-made and typically dies were not allowed to get to this advanced state. An important and interesting piece with an unbeatable provenance.
From Henry Chapman's sale of the George M. Parsons Collection, June 1914, Lot 79; F.C.C. Boyd Collection; Stacks' sale of the John J. Ford Jr., Collection Part 7, January 2005, Lot 31. The original Ford lot ticket is included.
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