1766 Pitt farthing. Betts-520, W-8345. EF-45 (PCGS).61.1 grains. A classic pre-Revolutionary War rarity, closely resembling the much more common Pitt token (sometimes called a Pitt halfpenny) though struck in different composition and showing a different fabric. Glossy deep golden brown surfaces betray a bit more of the brassy alloy on the reverse than the obverse. Ideally centered and well struck, with natural surfaces that retain some harmless encrustation. Some old lines are seen in the flat part of Pitt’s wig, and a few shallow marks are scattered around the left obverse field, but no serious disturbances are present. Some die swelling in the reverse exergue appears as a raised ridge above AND TRADE.<p>Although there are many similarly rare medals marking William Pitt’s advocacy for America during the Stamp Act crisis, this one’s design similarity to its larger brethren has made it a must-have colonial era delicacy. The total population can probably be counted on three hands, with most survivors showing serious surface issues ranging from even granularity to all-over corrosion. Like its more common and larger cognate, this piece was produced in England and appears to have been primarily made for the American market. Wherever this one has spent the last 250 years, it’s had a fairly easy go of it. PCGS has certified only one example finer.PCGS Population: 1; 1 finer (AU-55)From the Archangel Collection. Earlier, from Pine Tree’s sale of the Elizabeth Morton Collection, October 1975, lot 582.
