1700s King George I Farthing?

[Bubba65]

1700's King George I Farthing?

Hi All,

I decided to do a little detecting this past Friday evening. I had one house in mind and when I drove past the house they were having there lawn mowed. So I did plan B and five minutes down the road I was at the site where I have dug for Coppers this year. It was tough going since I was working a wooded area and not much to show for my efforts until I dug the flat button. I hunted some more and as it was getting dark I got a decent signal and dug down about 6 inches and out popped a smaller Copper then the other four. Well I just got it cleaned up today and it is kind of toasty, but you can see the right facing bust on the obverse and the reverse is much more toasty. What has me confused is it is smaller then a King George Half Penny, but yet bigger then what they say a farthing is suppose to be. It also weighs way more then the originals, therefore the question mark in my title. It's diameter is 25.4 mm in diameter and it weighs 8.8 grams. With this information I believe it is counterfeit, but then again they usually seemed to make counterfeits lighter to save on metal. Anyways thanks for reading and looking.

Bubba65

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

George 1 coppers, (IDable) are a tough find.
What you have is the 1717-1718 "dump issue" HP which is that size, much smaller than the 1719-1724 issue of 27-28 mm.
I just recently got one myself.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Cool find! Congratulations!



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[justdugcrazy]

Even if it is a counterfeit WOW WHAT A FIND!!!!!

 

[The Patriot]

Sweet find...lots of other goodies in the area...

 

[jewelerguy]

cool find

 

[Don in SJ]

George 1 coppers, (IDable) are a tough find.
What you have is the 1717-1718 "dump issue" HP which is that size, much smaller than the 1719-1724 issue of 27-28 mm.
I just recently got one myself.

Rick is correct, at that diameter it is a KGI Halfpenny (Dump Issue) so either 1717 or 1718 for the year. They are harder to find than the 1719-24 years, so a good addition to your collection.
Only have two dump issues but eight of the others.

 

[Bubba65]

George 1 coppers, (IDable) are a tough find.
What you have is the 1717-1718 "dump issue" HP which is that size, much smaller than the 1719-1724 issue of 27-28 mm.
I just recently got one myself.

Thanks Rick on the ID. I didn't think it was a Farthing do to it's size and weight, but also knew it wasn't the normal Half Penny either.

Bubba65

 

[Bubba65]

Thanks for the good words All. Keep digging that History .

Bubba65

 

[Bubba65]

Rick is correct, at that diameter it is a KGI Halfpenny (Dump Issue) so either 1717 or 1718 for the year. They are harder to find than the 1719-24 years, so a good addition to your collection.
Only have two dump issues but eight of the others.

Thanks Don, I think it was a 1717, because I cleaned it I could barely make out a 7 in the fourth position. Cleaning the coin took away detail on the Reverse, but more detail on the Obverse showed up, so I guess it was an even break on that one. It is my first Dump Issue so like you said I welcome it into my collection.

Bubba65

 

[Bubba65]

Sweet find...lots of other goodies in the area...

Patriot this has been a great site already and it keeps giving year after year after year

Bubba65

 

[Don in SJ]

Thanks Don, I think it was a 1717, because I cleaned it I could barely make out a 7 in the fourth position. Cleaning the coin took away detail on the Reverse, but more detail on the Obverse showed up, so I guess it was an even break on that one. It is my first Dump Issue so like you said I welcome it into my collection.

Bubba65

Here is my 1717, which is in pretty good condition, notice the crudeness of the date, but that is how they were made! Not a counterfeit. this one weighs 141 grains (9.1 grams) my 1718 weighs 131 grains(8.5 grams) but that one is worn more than the 1717.

 

[Bubba65]

Here is my 1717, which is in pretty good condition, notice the crudeness of the date, but that is how they were made! Not a counterfeit. this one weighs 141 grains (9.1 grams) my 1718 weighs 131 grains(8.5 grams) but that one is worn more than the 1717.

That is a great looking "Dump Issue" Don. Yeah I can see how the date was funky and after looking at yours mine for sure was a 1717. I meant to ask Rick or You why are they called "Dump Issue" coins?

Bubba65

 

[Evolution]

Congrats on the KGI... . Oldest copper I have found to date that I could ID was a KGI... 1721.

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

That is a great looking "Dump Issue" Don. Yeah I can see how the date was funky and after looking at yours mine for sure was a 1717. I meant to ask Rick or You why are they called "Dump Issue" coins?

Bubba65

I guess I don't really know why, except for a size difference, diameter, and thickness.


George I


Inevitably a shortage followed in due course, and a new issue was made in 1717, often called the dump issue as the coins were smaller and thicker than before. In 1719 the coin reverted to the previous dimensions, and the issues of George I continued until 1724.
George II


The issues of George II from 1729 to 1754 are very common, with a more elderly portrait being used from 1740. After 1754 none were struck until 1770, and the majority of halfpence in circulation seem to have been forgeries.
George III

The first type similar to that of George II was issued from 1770 until 1775, and then there was a 24-year gap before Matthew Boulton struck a larger coin at the Soho Mint in 1799. The edge is interesting as it has an incuse pattern around the centre of the entire circumference.

I can't quite make out the date on mine, think it's 18, and it wieghs almost exactly 8 grams. (7.96)

 

[Bubba65]

I guess I don't really know why, except for a size difference, diameter, and thickness.


George I


Inevitably a shortage followed in due course, and a new issue was made in 1717, often called the dump issue as the coins were smaller and thicker than before. In 1719 the coin reverted to the previous dimensions, and the issues of George I continued until 1724.
George II


The issues of George II from 1729 to 1754 are very common, with a more elderly portrait being used from 1740. After 1754 none were struck until 1770, and the majority of halfpence in circulation seem to have been forgeries.
George III

The first type similar to that of George II was issued from 1770 until 1775, and then there was a 24-year gap before Matthew Boulton struck a larger coin at the Soho Mint in 1799. The edge is interesting as it has an incuse pattern around the centre of the entire circumference.

I can't quite make out the date on mine, think it's 18, and it wieghs almost exactly 8 grams. (7.96)

Thanks Rick for all the information, yours is in pretty good shape too.

 

[CASPER-2]