British Milled - George III - Evasion - Halfpenny - Obverse Brockage > Lot No. 063

Description:
Circa 1780. Evasion halfpenny, copied from the 1770-1775 First Issue Halfpenny of George III. Obverse brockage. Obv: laureate and cuirassed bust right with GEORGIVS REX III legend. Rev: incuse impression of same obverse.

Measurements:
5.14 grams.

Condition:
Very fine and toned. Extremely rare. Unique?

References:
Cf. S. 3774 for general type copied from; cf. Atkins (and Withers) for discussion and listing.

Comments notes:
The shortage of official coinage in the second half of the 18th century led to the second major series of privately issued tokens, mostly copper halfpennies, in the UK, together with many contemporary imitations and forgeries of the official halfpennies. These forgeries are now generally known as 'evasions' and little is known about the clandestine makers. The First Issue halfpennies of George III are dated 1770-75 and no further copper coins were officially issued until the 'cartwheel' coins by Matthew Boulton's Soho, Birmingham mint in 1797.

Estimate: £300 - 400 (EUR 360 - 480; USD 470 - 630)

Auction date: Thursday 9th September 2010 at The Swedenborg Hall 20-21 Bloomsbury Way
London WC1A 2TH