Isle of Man 1733 1/2 penny
The first specimen was lot 1159 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 27 (Winter Park, FL, May 2020), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "Isle of Man (James Stanley, 10th Earl of Derby), silver proof 1/2 penny, 1733, plain cap, NGC PF 63. Bold strike with attractive toning over luster, small mark to left of cap but otherwise near-pristine, tied with three others for finest known in the NGC census (and none at PCGS). Despite being an off-metal (and higher value) proof issue, a surprising amount of these have received circulation wear, as evidenced by two AU and two XF examples in the NGC census and even lower grades at PCGS. NGC #2770569-012." The second specimen was lot 75187 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2024), where it sold for $840. The catalog description[2] noted, "ISLE OF MAN. 1/2 Penny, 1733. James Stanley, 10th Earl of Derby. PCGS MS-63 Brown. This beautifully preserved example boasts smooth chocolate brown patina with bold devices. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection." In 1733, the Isle of Man was the private estate of the Earl of Atholl, who did not cede his rights to the Crown until 1765. Half pence were issued in 1709, 1733, 1758, 1786 and 1798; numerous restrikes exist in various metals.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: normally copper, the first example struck in silver.
Catalog reference: KM-4b.1; Prid-29A, S-7409; KM-3.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia and Cori Sedwick Downing, Treasure Auction 27, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2020.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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