1723 1/2P Rosa Americana - Crowned

Coin Details

Auction Record

$27,600 CH AU 05-01-2005 Stack's

Description

This 1723 Rosa Americana Halfpenny features a crowned rose on the reverse, distinguishing it from the "Uncrowned" variety of the same year. The crowned version shows the Tudor rose surmounted by a royal crown, which was the standard reverse device for most of the Rosa Americana series. The obverse displays the laureate bust of George I facing right with the royal legend, while the reverse presents the crowned rose with ROSA AMERICANA VTILE DVLCI. The 1723 date represents the second year of production under William Wood's patent, by which time the series was well established and production was more routine than during the experimental first year of 1722. Struck in Bath metal at approximately 28mm diameter, the halfpenny was the smallest denomination in the series. The distinction between Crowned and Uncrowned varieties within the 1723 halfpenny has long been recognized by numismatists and represents one of the most significant design variants in the Rosa Americana series. The crowned version maintains the standard design language of royal authority that characterized the series throughout its production, with the crown symbolizing the king's patronage behind the colonial coinage venture. By 1723, opposition to the Rosa Americana coins was growing in the colonies, and within a year the series would be discontinued, making the 1723 issues among the last regular production of this distinctive colonial coinage.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. The Crowned variety is one of the more available 1723 Rosa Americana halfpenny types. Well-preserved examples are uncommon.

Cross References

PCGS #119; NGC #108053; Martin attribution; Breen; cf. PCGS #122 (Uncrowned variety)