Undated (ca. 1652-1674) St. Patrick Farthing. Martin 9a.2, Uniface. Unique. VF-35 (PCGS).71.2 grains. An eye-catching error, presumably created by two planchets entering the coining chamber at the same time. Completely unpublished and undescribed anywhere, this piece receives no mention in Syd Martins reference, despite a well-researched chapter on errors in the St. Patrick series. Martin describes planchet errors of various sorts, double strikes (mostly minor), overstrikes, and off-center strikes (all minor), but notes "I have never encountered other classic errors such as flip-over double strikes, multiple strikes (other than double), or obverse or reverse brockages." This example displays a perfectly normal obverse, glossy medium brown with some ancient encrustation, a small and dark gold splash, and somewhat crude peripheries. The reverse shows the pre-striking texture of the planchet, with no trace of design whatsoever. The weight is well within the normal range and neither side shows any evidence of adulteration.<p>This piece is clearly rare, but also instructive for the insight it gives into the production processes of this series. Uniface strikes like this, caused by two blank planchets in the coining chamber at once, usually suggest some kind of planchet feeder system. The texture of the planchet also shows the crudeness of the blanks, with little evidence of a smooth rolled copper product.<p>This rarity is a prize for advanced connoisseurs of this popular series.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection.