Half Penny Wg 1862

Yes, it is just a half penny that someone has stamped themselves... perhaps initials and a significant date to the person who did it?

I was looking at this earlier and also found the W.G.Grace connection.

In 1862 he played for West Gloucestershire for the first time aged 16/17. I discounted it because I was unsure if he would be referred to as WG or WGG? Its entirely possible that it is something to do with Grace - he was a huge sporting star of the day. Its also entirely possible that he was referred to as simply WG as with the big sports stars of today being known simply by surnames or nicknames etc.

The only thing I could not understand was why the coin would be dated 1891? WGG did not retire until 1908 and died in 1915 so I would have expected a coin of these dates to be used if it was a commemorative item.

However after a bit of digging I did discover that in 1891 Grace was not playing well and many expected him to either retire or get to the point where he was no longer good enough to play. So this could have been produced quickly to cash in on that expection - that would also explain why it was just stamped onto a current coin in a basic manor.

I also discovered that when he died in 1915 it was a huge deal for the UK - He was one of the best know figures of the era and had his pictures on stamps after his death. It would not surprise me if this coin was stamped in recognition of him.

But then, what could it be if not WG Grace?