Undated (ca. 1652-1674) St. Patrick Halfpenny. Martin 4-B, W-11540. Rarity-7+. Small Obverse Letters, Large Reverse Letters. VF-30 (PCGS). 135.8 grains. A lovely example of this very rare and interesting variety, one that combines the Small Letters obverse 4 most often seen on 4-E, with the Large Letters reverse B that typically comes paired with obverse 1. The present combination of 4-B is a mule of sorts and unique as such in the series. The surface quality and eye appeal are outstanding on this example. Choice, glossy chocolate-brown with a bold brass splasher straddling the bottom of the crown and top of the harp. Bold detail throughout with weakness only at FL of FLOREAT which is indistinct on all examples seen. Martin recorded three examples in his book on the series and we have seen just six total. This piece is perhaps the most attractive of the group. The Ford coin is sharper and in a PCGS AU-50 holder, but has noticeable corrosion and roughness. It brought $21,850 in the Ford sale and $12,925 when resold by Heritage in April 2016. Examples in the Newman and Long Island Collection sales have similar choice surfaces to the present coin but both had planchet cracks. Here is a wonderful St. Patrick halfpenny that will see strong demand from type and variety collectors alike. PCGS# 902843. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our sale of the Ted L. Craige Collection, November 2012 Baltimore Auction, lot 6194.
