• Section Contents
  • Counterfeit British Coppers Introduction

    Counterfeit Irish Coppers


    GEORGE III HALFPENCE


    obverse

    500 dpi

    250 dpi

      reverse

    500 dpi

    250 dpi

    Irish Halfpenny           1781           George III           counterfeit

    Obverse:  GEORGIVS        . III . REX .
    Reverse:  HIBE    RNIA .     17  81

    Weight:  106.2 g    (6.8 grams)                  Diameter:  27 mm

    Comments:   The obverse bears a portrait of George III while the reverse bears an Irish harp. This lightweight Irish halfpenny is a full 25% under the minimum acceptable weight of 140 grains.

    Provenance:  Donated to Notre Dame in 1887 as part of a 2,300 item coin collection (see: The Notre Dame Scholastic,   vol. 21 (September 1887) 45.


    obverse

    500 dpi

    250 dpi

      reverse

    500 dpi

    250 dpi

    Irish Halfpenny           1782           George III           counterfeit

    Obverse:  GEORGIVS   .   III . REX .
    Reverse:  HIBERNIA .    17    82

    Weight:  104.5 g   (6.76 grams)                  Diameter:  26.6 mm

    Comments:  This well worn lightweight example is probably a counterfeit. Several of these coins circulated in Confederation era America.

    Provenance:  Donated to Notre Dame in 1887 as part of a 2,300 item coin collection (see: The Notre Dame Scholastic,   vol. 21 (September 1887) 45.


    obverse

    500 dpi

    250 dpi

      reverse

    500 dpi

    250 dpi

    Irish Halfpenny           17--           George III           counterfeit

    Obverse:  GEORGIVS   .   III . REX .
    Reverse:  [HIBERNIA .]    17    [rubbed]

    Weight:  96.6 g   (6.26 grams)                  Diameter:  27.7 mm

    Comments:  This lightweight example is certainly a counterfeit. The lack of a legend and the missing end of the date are due to shallow dies rather than wear. The obverse was struck slightly low on the planchet. Several of these lightweight counterfeits circulated in Confederation era America.

    Provenance:  Donated to Notre Dame in 1887 as part of a 2,300 item coin collection (see: The Notre Dame Scholastic,   vol. 21 (September 1887) 45.


    <- ^ -> 
    Counterfeit British Coppers: p. 2 Section Contents British Silver