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1781 Counterfeit George III British Halfpenny, Newman 42-81C. 126.9 grains.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:NA
1781 Counterfeit George III British Halfpenny, Newman 42-81C. 126.9 grains.
SOLD
460.00USD+ (92.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2024 Jan 20 @ 20:03UTC-6 : CST/MDT
1781 Counterfeit George III British Halfpenny, Newman 42-81C. 126.9 grains.Very Fine, a lovely coin that was SHIFT DOUBLE STRUCK, a very rare error for this date (the authors of the 1781 chapter in the counterfeit book specifically state “few errors are known”). This is the Mike Ringo coin, and appeared as Lot 416 in the 1998 sale of his 1781’s, where it was described as “We are more generous in grading this than Mike, his envelope notes F-VF. Bust shows facial features, complete wreath, reverse has full staff, etc. Light brown, smooth and reflective, with only minor contact marks and a small darker toning spot at the rim right of the date. The legends on both sides show significant doubling.” To Tom Rinaldo’s description we note an ancient scratch at the neck and bust of the king. GEORGIVS is nicely shift doubled in line, while REX and NIA show the original strike higher and slightly shifted; there is less obvious doubling at the centers, though there is an extra outline at the back of the king’s head and Britannia’s leg. The detail is just a shade off the plate coin for the variety in the counterfeit book. as well as the Newman plate coin and the Syd Martin piece. The light color, rare double strike, and Ringo provenance (the coin is still in his envelope) should make this one hard-fought by collectors. We note this brought $650 a quarter century ago when it last appeared for sale.