Undated (Circa 1795) North Wales Halfpenny. Baker-34A, Musante GW-51, W-11160. Rarity-6+. Two Stars. Copper. LANCASTER LONDON OR BRISTOL Edge. AU-53 (PCGS).；An exceptionally rare variety of this challenging type. While all Washington North Wales halfpennies are weakly struck from dies that were not fully engraved, by design, this piece displays relatively sharp detail throughout. The high points of Washingtons portrait are typically soft, as is the lower left portion of the reverse harp, but the balance of the devices are more or less bold. The strike is well centered on the reverse with crisp lettering to the legend NORTH WALES, while that on the reverse is drawn slightly toward 10 oclock with the letters RGIVS in GEORGIVS softly defined and flush with the border. The letters GTON in WASHINGTON are also a bit soft, yet more complete than those in GEORGIVS. Warmly toned in copper brown patina with a hint of olive, highlights of russet are also evident in the protected areas around some of the devices. The surfaces are typical of the type with scattered abrasions, although none are really worthy of individual attention. A small reverse flan flaw within the harp is noted, as is a somewhat granular texture to that side that suggests an advanced die state. This is a significant piece that is sure to see spirited bidding among advanced Washingtoniana collectors.<p>Struck in the late 1790s, this type fits into the larger category of British evasion halfpence, generally softly struck coppers that imitated the designs of regal English and Irish halfpence, though the legends did not precisely copy those of the genuine pieces. Thus, the counterfeiting laws were "evaded," rather than strictly broken. The North Wales halfpennies are attributed to the shop of William Lutwyche, the dies likely engraved by John Gregory Hancock, who also did the die work for the Washington Small and Large Eagle cents of 1791. Made for commercial use and not for distribution to contemporary collectors, the North Wales halfpenny as a type tends to come in much lower grades than the Washington pieces that are part of the British Conder token series. Several varieties are known, all of which are very scarce, if not rare. The most elusive variety is the Two Stars at Each Side of Harp (a.k.a. Four Stars), followed by the Lettered Edge variant of the Two Stars, offered here. According to Walter Breen (<em>Encyclopedia</em>, 1988), the Lettered Edge variety was first identified by Dr. Charles Clay of Manchester sometime before 1871. Since then very few specimens have come to light, the Rulau-Fuld Washingtoniana reference (1999) estimating that just six or seven examples are known. A unique Lettered Edge specimen that omits the word LONDON, W-11065, was discovered in England in 1974. In fact, most North Wales halfpennies in American collections were discovered in England, although it is possible that some examples did see contemporary circulation in North America. The coin offered here ranks as the second finest certified at PCGS, surpassed by a single AU-55 -- the Ford specimen -- that realized $8,050 when offered in our August 2011 Chicago ANA Auction.；From the Antony Bettencourt Collection. Earlier ex Heritages FUN Signature Auction of January 2015, lot 3065.
