Ireland 1681 1/2 penny
This specimen was lot 41044 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Costa Mesa, CA, August 2021), where it sold for $2,040. The catalog description[1] noted, "IRELAND. Silver 1/2 Penny, 1681. Charles II. PCGS PROOF-53 Gold Shield. Listed as "RARE" in [the] Standard Catalog of World Coins, this proof issue is entirely wholesome and charming. This is also the finest certified by PCGS. A great opportunity for a fairly difficult coin." The first example was struck in silver, most likely for presentation. The copper issue using this design was struck 1681-84 along with KM 90. The second specimen was lot 44728 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Oklahoma City, OK, August 2025), where it sold for $168. The catalog description[2] noted, "IRELAND. 1/2 Penny, 1681. Charles II. NGC VF-35."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: normally 6.5 g, copper, 26.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: S-6575; KM-91a. The second specimen S-6574; KM-90.1.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Skingley, Philip, ed., Standard Catalogue of British Coins: Coins of Scotland, Ireland and the Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Man & Lundy), Pre-Decimal Issues, 2nd edition, London: Spink & Son, 2003.
- Lobel, Richard, Mark Davidson, Allan Hailstone and Eleni Calligas, Coincraft's Standard Catalogue of the Coins of Scotland, Ireland, Channel Islands & Isle of Man, London: Coincraft, 1999.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The August 2021 ANA sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2025 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Richard August Collection and the Richard Margolis Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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