Undated (ca. 1652-1674) St. Patrick Farthing. Martin 3c.1-Fb.1, W-11500. Rarity-7. Copper. Sea Beasts Below King, Masonic Punctuation. AU-55 (PCGS). 85.5 grains. A lovely coin with perfectly even light brown color and smooth, glossy surfaces that also show subtle mint frost in places. Well struck just a little off center, only slight wear is seen across the high points of the design and impressive definition remains throughout. The brass splasher is seen toward the top of the crown and it retains its original golden color. A bit of natural planchet porosity is seen along the peripheries but it is minor and there are no other marks or flaws. This piece combines Martin die groups 3 and F, both characterized by dies with masonic punctuation in their legends. A rare die variety with just five examples recorded in the Martin reference, where both sides of this piece were plated to illustrate the dies. With outstanding color and sharpness, here is a desirable example of both the type and variety. PCGS# 902850. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex William T. Anton, Jr.; Lawrence R. Stack Collection, November 2006.
