I have a group of suspected "contemporary counterfeits", also part of an auction tray lot from years back. Seven (see photos at link) are in storage, but an 8th one that I had forgotten about popped up the other day with some other loose trinkets. This "GEORGIVS III REX" halfpenny measures about 27 mm in diameter, is just over 1 mm thick and weighs 5.4 grams (84 gn). It rings like a coin when dropped on a table. It's also, as you can see, pretty rough, possibly dug. I looked through a number of examples in the U. Notre Dame collection, but could not find enough points of comparison to be certain. So, any more seasoned counterfeit people have an opinion? The other seven suspects can be seen at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/sNAbfpaIslQAkUCT2
The other seven suspects can be seen at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/sNAbfpaIslQAkUCT2[/QUOTE] Very cool link and collection!
Why thank you. Can you please tell me about them? I see you're something of an expert in the counterfeits field.
I admittedly know little about these but can post your link in my group for review if that is OK with you.
By all means please do! Also, the "GEORGIVS III REX" halfpenny pictured above is not in the linked album, so feel free to share those photos as well. Thanks!
Here’s what I could dig up- working from the link, starting with the top row, the leftmost piece is probably a cc Irish halfpenny, given its apparent thinness. The top middle piece is definitely a CC halfpenny. The top right is a Machin's Mills piece, most likely 18-87C, though I can't make out the date. On the middle row, the leftmost piece is a CC halfpenny, the middle piece could be. But George II counterfeits are usually cast rather than struck. I don't see a sprue and the granularity could just be corrosion. The middle right piece I'm not sure what it is, but thinking either VOC or a German States piece. I doubt if it's a counterfeit, probably a grounder. The bottom piece is anybody's guess. Looks to be a halfpenny, but that's about all I could say. Weights might help, but corrosion can make a coin light. Regal weights for Irish are around 135 grains, 152 for British. The separate image is definitely a CC. Thinking 1775. Best, Jack.
Thank you Jack! I would never have hoped that one of those was a Machin's Mills! The Irish halfpenny if I recall is less than 1 mm thick, always assumed it was cc. I'll have to get these guys out of storage and get measurements and weights on the still-unidentified ones. Thank you again!
