1766 Pitt Halfpenny Token. Betts-519, W-8350. Rarity-3. Copper--Cracked Planchet--MS-63 BN (NGC).One of the finest survivors, comparable to Norweb, Garrett and Picker specimens. With most survivors ranging from VG to EF and many showing damage or other mutilation, the present, essentially flawless specimen--apart from the mint-caused planchet crack--is a delight to behold. Its frosty, lustrous chocolate brown surfaces are more akin to a well-preserved middle date U.S. large cent than a colonial-era copper of the 1760s. The ruddier areas of the fields detail where the original mint red color faded most recently of the last 240+ years. Contact marks are virtually nonexistent. Very well struck and exhibiting nearly all of the details as intended by the dies—even the "lion figure-head" as described by Betts is quite clear. The very highest points of the obverse—Pitts apple cheek and the pleats in his shirt on his high relief arm—exhibit a touch of weakness from strike, but this is to be expected even on a coin of this superb quality. No collection of colonial coins should be without a specimen of this classic, political medalet featuring William Pitt, a "friend of Liberty and Trade" as the reverse inscription indicates. One of the finest surviving examples, one that will undoubtedly soon grace one of the finest cabinets of colonials being formed today.NGC Census: 1; 3 finer.Ex Heritages sale of January 2010, lot 10; Heritages sale of June 2010, lot 19; our August 2011 Chicago ANA Auction, lot 6039; our March 2012 Baltimore Auction, lot 1100.
