Ireland 1738 1/2 penny
This specimen was lot 40605 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Oklahoma City, OK, August 2025), where it sold for $2,640. The catalog description[1] noted, "IRELAND. 1/2 Penny, 1738. London Mint. George II. PCGS PROOF-65 Brown. As the 1736 in this sale, the cataloguer does not feel that this is appropriately designated as a Proof; it does not exhibit the bold denticles that are to be expected upon London Mint Proofs of this era, the luster is slightly lacking, and the lettering exhibits some mild die erosion as well as being less squared-off than might be desired. In addition, this date is unlisted in references as a Proof. Nonetheless, a SCARCE date in the series and infrequently offered, especially in so fine a preservation. An attractive piece with semi-glossy luster on the obverse, a satiny reverse, and splashes of unoxidized copper color remaining. From the Richard August Collection." As the Royal Mint in London could not keep up with the demand for English coinage, it is not surprising that issues for Ireland are scanty and few. This type was struck 1736-38 along with farthings.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: copper, 7.4 g, 27 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: S-6605; KM-125.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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.
- 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.
- [1]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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