Ireland 1681 1/2 penny

Stack's Bowers 2021 ANA sale, lot 41044

photo courtesy Stack's Bowers LLC

Stack's Bowers 2025 ANA sale, lot 44728

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 copper.

Catalog reference: S-6575; KM-91a. The second specimen S-6574; KM-90.1.

Source:

• 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.

Link to:

• 1686 half penny, James II
• Coins and currency dated 1681