What is the deal with British Coppers??

[silvereagle78]

I am glad I found this forum, maybe somebody can explain this coin I have. The red book I guess would probably explain it as a maybe Imitation halfpence or Machin's Mills. How do you tell if it is a real halfpence or imitation? This coin is dated 1774 although half the date is cut off at the bottom due to possible die error and seems to be in very good shape for the time frame. It was not dug all this leads me to believe it might be a fake. Any ideas? Thanks

 

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[Iron Patch]

It matches neither the 1774 Machin's Mills or 1774 George III Regal British Halfpenny, which means... It's a contemporary counterfeit George III Halfpenny.