Pinch Me? 1770's Colonial Token (Fake/Counterfeit Halfpenny)

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 4,074
Changeless Valued Member 273 Posts	Posted 05/04/2012 11:16 am I think this is a 1770's Colonial counterfeit, probably Halfpenny, made by the colonies for the purpose of bolstering circulating money for commerce, (as I understand not technically "counterfeit", as it was not illegal in the New World... I see them called tokens). Could be some kind of genuine British coin.... but the poor strike, porosity, and especially the thinness (yet not worn flat)... has me thinking it is a Colonial(1770's) Counterfeit (Token). See the bottom of this web link to see similar http://www.coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/Col...fBrit.2.html My copper is about 27 mm. I make my case: (1)I don't know the weight... but it is thinner and lighter than a barely recognizable WORN FLAT late 1800s genuine British copper... the thinness, yet not worn flat, is what got me thinking Colonial. (2) I found it in an otherwise unremarkable bag of world coins... except there were 4 or 5 worn coppers that stuck out like sore thumbs... I threw them in a jar with other culls. BUT NOW... one of these turns out to be the civil war token (I posted here just a few days ago), Another of these "culls" turned out to be an 1820 Canadian Trade Token (will post it later). (3) the web site link (above) finds similar. Sorry to be so long winded. Thanks for reading. Shoot me down (OR BEAM ME UP!!). P.S. [[[never throw away culls until you really look!]]] Edited by Changeless 05/04/2012 7:13 pm Report this Post to the Staff

Penny Guy Pillar of the Community United States 531 Posts	Posted 05/04/2012 8:55 pm In my 2013 issue of Red Book, page 67 (Page 64 in the 2012 issue) appears to identify your piece as one of the Georgivs III copper halfpennies. A Machin's Mills piece made in America. This should get you started on a confirmed indentification by a post colonial copper expert. Report this Post to the Staff
Changeless Valued Member 273 Posts	Posted 05/04/2012 10:29 pm Amazing. I am embarassed I don't even own the Red Book. I absolute WILL spend some money on books (I keep buying coins...). Thank you for your generosity in sharing your knowledge (and your book). Report this Post to the Staff
CheetahCats Pillar of the Community United States 731 Posts	Posted 05/05/2012 12:02 am Quote: In my 2013 issue of Red Book, page 67 (Page 64 in the 2012 issue) appears to identify your piece as one of the Georgivs III copper halfpennies. A Machin's Mills piece made in America. This should get you started on a confirmed indentification by a post colonial copper expert. Hold your horses Bill. Just because it was found in the Americas and is possibly counterfeit doesn't make it a Machin's Mills. Indeed. The vast majority of counterfeit George III specimens found in North America are NOT Machin's Mills emissions. Many more were struck across the pond later, backdated, and subsquently yanked out of circulation when discovered. They were then sent over in casks and dumped in North America. (See this article which talks about how so many were sent to North America -- and some not actually making it: http://www.novanumismatics.com/arti...atics27.php) A die study would need to be conducted to verify if it's a Machin's Mills, based on Vlack plates. Based on the appearance of George's bust, I don't think it is a Machin's Mills. All that said, it is still a nice specimen. Edited by CheetahCats 05/05/2012 12:06 am Report this Post to the Staff
Penny Guy Pillar of the Community United States 531 Posts	Posted 05/05/2012 7:34 pm Consider my horses held CC. I probably should have put that statement in quotes as being from the Red Book. Authenticity would come from that post colonial copper expert I spoke of. Report this Post to the Staff
CheetahCats Pillar of the Community United States 731 Posts	Posted 05/05/2012 9:19 pm Quote: Consider my horses held CC. I probably should have put that statement in quotes as being from the Red Book. Authenticity would come from that post colonial copper expert I spoke of. LOL. Wasn't trying to give you a hard time Bill. Just didn't want the OP to get his hopes up. Report this Post to the Staff
Penny Guy Pillar of the Community United States 531 Posts	Posted 05/06/2012 10:58 am Evaluating those early pieces really require specialized knowledge and an in-hand examination because there are so many counterfeits out there. Report this Post to the Staff
colonialjohn Pillar of the Community United States 1757 Posts	Posted 05/11/2012 2:41 pm Its probably a cast. Hence not a Machin Mills piece. All Machin Mills pieces are struck. However since its a Head Right and a GIII piece cast? its rare. Can't make out the date. List it on E-Bay as a probable cast GIII 1/2d. Should bring $50-up. Tell them John Lorenzo says its OK to list - as such <BG>. John Lorenzo United States C4 Member Report this Post to the Staff
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Pinch Me? 1770's Colonial Token (Counterfeit Halfpenny)