Non-Regal George III half-penny questions

First, I wasn't sure if this should go under the World Coin forum or US Coins because of the nature of the beast.

As I understand it, non-regal half-pennies are counterfeit examples of royally-issued half-pennies that were widely used in trade in the colonies. My questions:

1. Are the non-regal ones primarily differentiated by their crudeness?
2. Did they also circulate freely in England?
3. Why aren't they just called contemporary counterfeits?
4. Are the Chinese counterfeiting these, also?

Thanks, fellow CTers.
Steve

 

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1. Are the non-regal ones primarily differentiated by their crudeness?

For the most part yes, but there are some slightly scarcer examples that were better.

2. Did they also circulate freely in England?

Along with a lot of other coins, French, Dutch, some Irish. The crown didn't care less about coins for "poor" people.


3. Why aren't they just called contemporary counterfeits?

Necessity was dictating their creation - they were created less for fraudulent purposes and more for monetary purposes.

4. Are the Chinese counterfeiting these, also?

Not at the moment, but give them time.

 

Thanks,@scottishmoney. I appreciate the information.
Steve