1773 Virginia Halfpenny. Silvered Copper. Newman 27-J, W-1585. Rarity-2. Period After GEORGIVS, 7 Harp Strings. Mint State-62.118.0 grains. Pearly olive-gold patina dominates the complexion, giving way to darker steely-brown shades across the high points where the silvering has thinned. Nicely centered and well defined for the type, with a complete ring of thin dentils noted on the reverse despite a few gaps on the obverse. The fields are reflective and lustrous, free of any noteworthy abrasions. Specialist Roger Moore notes the existence of "a number of silver-coated and at least one gold-coated Virginia halfpenny" in his 2019 reference. Seemingly silvered post-striking, this piece was possibly an attempt to imitate a contemporary pistareen or even the rare 1774 Virginia "shilling," of which only five are known.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection.
