1785 Contemporary Imitation Halfpenny. George III English Type. Newman 51-85A. Extremely Fine.136.0 grains. The 51-85A was first reported in CNL 126 in 2004 by Byron Weston and Clem Schettino, a newly discovered combination from known dies. This example was sold to Syd by Clem in 2016, and was called sharpest[sic] of two known by Clem, in recognition of the abundant detail in the design motifs notwithstanding the acute granularity of the surfaces from a life undoubtedly spent below the ground. We would venture a guess that this coin was probably Mint State when lost over two centuries ago and recovered at an unknown date. A third piece was offered in our November 2019 Baltimore Auction, and was less sharp but with better surface quality. By nature this variety was missing from both the Ringo and Newman Collections, which were both pieced together in the period before 2000. Here is a coin that would be a key to completion of a set of all 10 die marriages of 1785 counterfeit halfpence.From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Clem Schettino, September 2016.
