I have found an old coin and i can't seem to find any information about it. The coin, on the front, says Britian and then Nia with a picture of a man with a spear and it looks like there is a torch in his hand. There are other things in the picture but the coin is so old it is hard to tell what else there is. It also says 1724. The back has a bust of a man that looks like a ceasar, it says Georgivs, then it says II. R E X. If you could help me identify this coin I would appreciate it.
Welcome. I'm sure someone here will know what you have and will be along shortly to help. Is this what it looks like?
first pics were 1724, here's 1734 Or this? I think it's actually Britannia rather than Britain and then a "nia"
Welcome to the forum Shilohsbaby. Are you a Civil War buff? Actually the word is "Britannia", the Latin name for Britian. that "man" is a woman - Britannia herself, the mythical symbol of the nation (somewhat like our Lady Liberty). If your coin weren't so worn the gender would be more apparent . She's holding a trident, symbol of the sea, in her left hand to represent the motto "Britannia rules the waves", celebratory of the English claim to maritime dominance. That's the obverse (front) of the coin and the bust is of the King That's George II, King. British coins of that era did not have their denominations stated. You knew what they were by size and metal. Your description matches both the 1734 farthing, catalog KM#572, copper, 25mm (1 inch); and the 1/2 penny, KM#566, copper, 29mm (1-1/4 inch). So which is yours?
It must be remembered that there are a lot of contemporary counterfeits of the British 1/2d. & 1/4d. coins.A lot of the counterfeits were used in British America due to the shortage of British Imperial coins.There is an interesting series of copper pieces that are similar in design,size & composition,but they have had the legends changed For example;'GEORGIVS II REX' may have had its legend changed to 'GEORGE II RULES' or another inscription.These pieces are commonly known as 'Evasions',because the penalty for forging & uttering a forged coin was very tough.I think the penalty was usually death.
