1724 Wood’s Hibernia Pattern Halfpenny. Martin 9.1-Na.1, W-unlisted. Rarity-7+. SP-64 BN (PCGS).124.5 grains. A majestic example of this famously rare pattern. The surfaces are frosty and lustrous, toned an even and rich chocolate brown save for hints of mint color among some letters of the legend. A bit of pastel surface iridescence enlivens the fields, particularly on the reverse. Some very subtle vertically oriented striations are seen just below GEORGIUS, and a single striation runs from the raised frond to Hibernias shoulder. There are no significant marks or flaws. The obverse is aligned toward 12 oclock, the reverse toward 7 oclock, and the bold strike left excellent central detail in these intricate and attractive devices. The edge shows careful circumferential filing, a handwork process that indicates the level of care that went into to producing this special coin.<p><p>This is a rare type, and this is the rarer of the two known varieties (the other variety may be seen in the following lot). We know of just three: the beautiful Frederick Taylor:2020 specimen (partially visible on that catalogs cover), this one, and the low grade Roper:127 coin. There appear to be six or seven of the other variety, Martin 9.2-Nb.1, plus one additional holed silver specimen in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg. Altogether, only 10 or 11 coins display this design, and only a couple show it anywhere near this well.<p><p>We have not sold a Mint State example since this coin sold in the 2005 Ford sale. The SP-58+ (PCGS) Norweb coin brought $16,800 in our November 2020 E Pluribus Unum sale. The Ted Craige coin was graded PCGS SP-50 when we offered it in 2013. It would be challenging to choose between this coin and the Taylor coin for finest known of this variety, but it would be a treat to see them side by side. Its a treat to see this one in hand on its own.<p>.PCGS# 920852. NGC ID: AZ2R.<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 perhaps ex Phillip Nelson Collection; Edgar H. Adams, February 1914; F.C.C. Boyd Collection; our (Stacks) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part VII, January 2005, lot 93.
