 1722 Wood's Hibernia Halfpenny. Rocks on right. N.1. ''Pattern.'' Very Fine. 148.4 gns. 30.1 mm. A lovely broadstruck example. Both sides are toned in a rich and generally even light olive brown in color. The fields appear smooth and hard to the naked eye and while the piece shows obvious signs of wear (quite possibly, as a pocket piece) there are essentially no real defects requiring mention on either side. Full border of extra metal beyond beaded border on both sides, most noticeable on the reverse. Edge engraving quite strong, fully legible when viewed with the naked eye, and clearly applied to the piece post striking. Edge engraved: LOOK UNTO THE ROCK WHENCE YE ARE HEWN (Isaiah 51:1 ''Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.'') The inscription is quite apropos given the obverse type. William Wood's coins are famous for the engravings found on them, at times enigmatic, at others very clear, as here. None of the Norweb Hibernias were engraved but many of her Rosa Americanas were. The two most interesting ones, the unique 1724/3 silver penny and the 1724 twopence with Wood's initials on the front, will be found in the Ford Collection when his Rosas are auctioned.
Pedigree unrecorded.
| |
|
