1722 Wood’s Hibernia Halfpenny. Martin 5.1-Bc.2, W-12790. Rarity-5. SP-64 BN (PCGS).119.3 grains. Medal turn. Distinctively glossy, lustrous surfaces show rich medium brown color, even throughout but for peeks of original mint red that remain among the letters of the peripheral legends. The obverse is aligned to 6 oclock, showing a substantial unstruck area outside the denticles at top and an area of beveling or upsetting created by the die edge from 11 oclock to 12:30. The reverse centering on the somewhat out-of-round planchet is a bit better. The planchet shows a small clip above the first G of GEORGIUS and a crack from 6 oclock that stops at the bust truncation on the obverse and the exergual line on the reverse. The whole coin seems both handmade and intentionally special. No marks of consequence are seen, just some very minor reverse hairlines that are probably more in the coins natural haze than the metal. The visual appeal is absolutely superb, as this coin has clearly seen exceptionally careful handling its entire existence.<p><p>Special as a specimen, special as a near gem, special for its rarity, and special for its medallic die alignment (a contrast to the other specimen 1722 halfpenny in this sale), this coin is made even more special by its provenance back to the man who created and distributed this historic coinage. Just how Robert Vlack came to acquire this piece and others from the estate is laid out by Vlack in a letter to Syd that is reprinted on pages 433-434 of the Woods Hibernia book.<p>.PCGS# 921343. NGC ID: F7HW.<strong>To view supplemental information and all items from the Sydney F. Martin Collection, click<a href="https://stacksbowers.com/sydney-f-martin-collection/"target=’_blank’> here.</a></strong>.From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex. William Wood estate; by descent to unnamed relatives of William Wood; "sold by Albert H. Baldwin, Esq. of London in December 1960;" Bob Vlack, March 2000.
