1724 1/2P Hibernia - Date Below

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Description

This 1724 Wood's Hibernia Halfpenny features the "Date Below" variety, where the date 1724 is positioned below the seated figure of Hibernia on the reverse rather than in the more typical position within the legend. William Wood bought the patent to coin halfpence and farthings for Ireland from the Duchess of Kendal in 1722; it allowed 360 tons over 14 years at 30 pence to the pound, so 60 halfpence weighed a pound. The coins are dated 1722 to 1724 and show George I on the obverse and Hibernia seated with a harp on the reverse. Protest in Ireland, sharpened by Jonathan Swift's Drapier's Letters, led to the recall of the coinage, and how the pieces reached America is not documented. NGC lists this 1724 halfpenny, with the date in the exergue below Hibernia, as a pattern. Cataloged as PCGS #197.