1723/2 1/2P Hibernia

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,370 MS63 09-01-2008 Superior Galleries

Description

This 1723/2 Wood's Hibernia Halfpenny displays a clear overdate, with the final digit "3" punched over an underlying "2," creating a visible 1723/2 reading. Overdates were a common and economical practice in eighteenth-century coinage: rather than discarding a perfectly serviceable die from the previous year, the die cutter would simply re-punch the final date digit with the current year's number. On well-preserved examples, traces of the original "2" are visible beneath or around the "3," with the curved bottom of the "2" extending beyond the "3" as a diagnostic marker. The obverse features the laureate bust of George I facing right with the royal legend, while the reverse shows the seated Hibernia with her harp and the HIBERNIA legend with the overdated 1723/2. This overdate provides important evidence about the organization of die production at Wood's Bristol works: it confirms that 1722-dated dies remained on hand and in usable condition at the start of the 1723 production run, and that the decision was made to modify existing dies rather than cut new ones from scratch. For colonial numismatists, overdates are among the most collectible varieties because they tell a story about the economics and practicalities of historic coinage production. The 1723/2 Hibernia halfpenny is one of the clearest and most well-known overdates in the colonial American series.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. The 1723/2 overdate is a recognized variety that commands a premium over standard 1723 halfpennies. Clear overdate examples are especially valued.

Cross References

PCGS #183; NGC #108078; Breen; Nelson; overdate 1723/2; cf. PCGS #170 (1722 Harp Right), PCGS #45378 (1722 standard)