“1787” Immunis Columbia Whatsit made from a George III Counterfeit Halfpenny. Fine.100.2 grains. A distinctive piece, a hand-engraved Whatsit that is unusual for its host and unusual for its chosen re-engraved design. This started life as a circulated counterfeit George III halfpenny, then the reverse was selectively reengraved (presumably in the mid to late 19th century) to change the legend to IMMUNIS COLUMBIA and the date to 1787. The golden age of producing items like this was in the 1860s and early 1870s, and we see no reason this wouldnt date from that age. The surfaces are medium brown, largely smooth with some scattered pits and granularity, showing a scratch across the portrait of George III and a bit of rim damage near 4 oclock on the reverse. This piece is charming and silly, and were sure bidders of this generation will love it as much as Syd did.<p>From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our 2014 Americana sale, February 2014, lot 318.<p>
