Undated (1724) Rosa Americana Pattern Twopence/Halfpenny. Martin Twopence Obverse 6.1-Halfpenny Reverse F.2. Rarity-8+. Dual Denomination. Specimen-12 (PCGS). 125.7 grains. A wild looking piece, easily the crudest production we have encountered from this generally well manufactured series. This incredible specimen mules a 1724 pattern-style obverse, Martin 6.1 as used on the 6.1-I.1 pattern twopences, with a unique Crowned Rose reverse that is without a date due to strike. This bizarre combination of dies was struck on a misshapen flan of penny weight. While the reverse die is of the same general layout as the 1723 halfpennies, given the 1724 style obverse and the rather distinctive look to the reverse die work, its not impossible to imagine the halfpenny reverse might be dated 1724 which otherwise does not exist for the denomination. Lightly granular steel-brown surfaces with some thin scratches on each side but no serious damage. Maybe VF from the standpoint of wear but very poorly struck. An amazing and totally unique coin that has fascinated numismatists for well over a century. PCGS# 905771. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from S.H. and H. Chapmans sale of the Charles I. Bushnell, Esq. Collection, June 1882, lot 224; New York Coin & Stamp Co.s sale of the Lorin G. Parmelee Collection, June 1890, lot 541; Philip Nelson Collection, December 11, 1913; Hillyer Ryder; F.C.C. Boyd; our (Stacks) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part IX, May 2005, lot 190. Plated in the Martin reference "The Rosa Americana Coinage of William Wood," pp. 113, 337.
