1773 Virginia Halfpenny. Newman 26-Y, W-1680. Rarity-2. Period After GEORGIVS, 8 Harp Strings. MS-64 RD (PCGS).Lovely pinkish-rose surfaces retain fully original color with only a trace of light carbon precluding an even higher numeric grade. Satiny in texture with a boldly executed strike, this is a superior quality representative of both the type and die pairing that is sure to please the advanced collector. Although the April 10, 1606, charter that King James granted to Virginia gave the colony coinage privileges, it was not until December 20, 1769, that the Virginia House of Burgesses passed an act allocating money for the minting of copper coins in Britain. The final design was approved in 1772, and on May 20, 1773, the English crown authorized the coinage of halfpennies for Virginia. The coins were struck in the Royal Mint in the Tower of London and are, in fact, the only coins authorized and produced in England for use in an American colony. We are pleased to be offering high grade survivors of several varieties in this sale, including this Choice full Red Newman 26-Y.
