1722 1/2P Hibernia - Rocks Right

Coin Details

Auction Record

$43,125 GEM UNC 01-01-2005 Stack's

Description

This 1722 Wood's Hibernia Halfpenny features the "Rocks Right" variety, referring to the positioning of rocks or rocky ground elements to the right in the reverse design beneath the seated figure of Hibernia. The reverse shows Hibernia seated on a rocky outcrop, holding her harp, with the rocks extending to the right side of the composition. The obverse displays the laureate bust of George I facing right with the royal legend. The "Rocks" designation in Wood's Hibernia die varieties refers to the landscape elements beneath Hibernia's seated figure, which vary in position, size, and detail across different dies. Some varieties show rocks to the left, others to the right, and still others have minimal landscape detail. These differences help numismatists catalogue and track the various die pairs used throughout the series' production. The coin is struck in copper at approximately 28mm diameter at Wood's Bristol works. The seated Hibernia design, with its rocky setting and prominent harp, became one of the most enduring numismatic images of Ireland and influenced later Irish coinage designs for centuries. The 1722 date represents the first year of the Hibernia coinage, before the full force of Irish opposition had mobilized against Wood's patent. The Rocks Right variety is collected as a distinct type within the complex die variety landscape of the 1722 halfpenny series.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. The Rocks Right variety is a recognized die type within the 1722 Hibernia halfpenny series.

Cross References

PCGS #164; NGC #108082; Breen; Nelson; Wood's Patent; cf. PCGS #170 (Harp Right), PCGS #155 (DEII)