1766 Half Penny William Pitt - Silvered

Coin Details

Auction Record

$6,325 AU55 01-01-2007 Heritage Auctions

Description

This 1766 William Pitt Half Penny with silvered surface is a premium version of the copper political token, enhanced with a thin layer of silver applied over the copper planchet. The obverse features a bust of William Pitt the Elder facing right with the tribute legend, while the reverse shows a ship under sail representing colonial commercial freedom. The silvering gives the half penny a brighter, more impressive appearance than the plain copper version, and it was produced for presentation purposes or for collectors and supporters willing to pay a premium for a more distinguished-looking token. The half penny's larger size (approximately 28mm) made the silvered surface particularly effective visually, creating a piece that could almost pass for a silver coin at first glance. William Pitt's advocacy for colonial rights in the Stamp Act crisis of 1765-1766 made him the most admired British statesman in America, and tokens bearing his image were among the most popular political numismatic items of the pre-Revolutionary era. The silvered half penny represents the premium tier of this commemorative series, between the standard copper and the rare tin versions. Surviving examples vary widely in the amount of original silvering retained, from pieces with substantial silver remaining to those where the coating has almost entirely worn away. Examples with bright, intact silvering are rare and command significant premiums over worn examples where only traces of silver remain in the design recesses.

Rarity Notes

Rare. The silvered half penny is significantly scarcer than the plain copper version. Full silvered examples with minimal loss are very rare.

Cross References

PCGS #239; NGC #108123; Breen; cf. PCGS #236 (Copper), PCGS #250 (Tin), PCGS #235 (Farthing Silvered)