1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Nelson-3, W-13930. Rarity-3. VOOE POPULI. EF-45 (PCGS).This is an exceptional example of a popular<em> Guide Book</em> variety for the Voce Populi halfpenny. The surfaces are overall smooth in hand, especially on the obverse, and there are no marks or other post-production blemishes of note. Some of the original planchet roughness remains in the center of the reverse, the result of a soft strike that also affects the high points of the portrait on the obverse. Striking quality is actually commensurate with the type, if a bit better than expected, with sharper detail toward the borders and much of the denticulation evident on both sides. Satiny and hard in texture, there is also plenty of gloss to further enhance this coins already superior eye appeal.<p>This piece is not quite as sharp as the Ted Craige specimen from the Nelson-3 dies sold in our August 2016 ANA sale (lot 1141), although this is certainly the result of a softer strike than anything else as the surfaces are superior on this one. The Craige specimen was compared favorably to the Norweb, Taylor and primary Ford coins. A quick comparison of this coin to those reveals it to easily be finer than the primary Ford coin, Taylors two, although not quite as fine as the Norweb specimen. Still a superior example from the Nelson-3 dies, and nearly the equal of the PCGS AU-50 that appeared as lot 448 in our August 2019 ANA Auction.<p>This lot includes Colonial American Coin Club photo certificate number 233597 signed by Walter Breen and prepared for member number 369, although undated. <strong>The certificate is available to the winning bidder upon request to Stacks Bowers Galleries at the close of the auction</strong>.
