George III halfpenny forgery

David Walker said this coin was found with three others above a sash window he was taking out. The others three were a George II halfpenny and two late 18th century tokens. David asked if I could confirm the coin as a fake George III halfpenny and he wondered if it had any commercial value.

Firstly, for a group like this to have been discovered above a window I’m assuming that it dated back to the 18th century. Perhaps the original fitter put the coins there in the hope it would bring good luck to the dwelling.

On the obverse is a rather crude image of George III and a legend reading GEORGIVS REX. On the reverse is a peculiar looking image of Britannia, the legend reads BRITANNIA and the date in the exergue is 1769. In answer to David’s first question I can say yes, the coin is a forgery of a George III halfpenny.

A report published in the 1790s said that only about 10% of the copper coins in circulation were genuine. Detecting finds prove that this was a great exaggeration. A huge number of 18th century copper coins have been unearthed over the last 50 years but in my experience the vast majority have been genuine.

Valuation

Does it have any value? The answer is yes. Halfpennies were struck from 1770 to 1775, this being the first time since 1754. Forgeries are much rarer than genuine coins and in good condition they can sell for £50-70. David’s fake halfpenny is in VF condition and is unusual in being dated 1769 so to a keen collector it should be worth around £60.

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