Undated (ca. 1652-1674) St. Patrick Farthing. Martin 2a.1-NR.1. Rarity-8. Copper. Sea Beasts Below King. VF-30 (PCGS).67.4 grains. One of the more significant pieces for specialists in the present offering, the only known example of this fascinating variety that combines two heavily broken dies. Burnished black and tan surfaces with some roughness remaining in places. Brass splasher on the crown and a drop landed on the kings shoulder as well. Strong detail and the severity of the die breaks, especially across the reverse, is on full display. Great provenance for a St. Patrick that includes most of the major collectors who have focused on this series.PCGS# 915329.From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Robert A. Vlack, April 1996; John Griffee; McCawley & Grellmans Ninth Annual C4 Convention Sale, November 2003, lot 139; Jim LaSarre, December 2009. Reverse plated in the 2018 Martin reference Saint Patrick Coinage (for Ireland and New Jersey) p. 365.
