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1/2 Penny - George II old bust
| Issuer | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Year | 1740-1754 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Copper |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
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| Technique | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Seated allegorical figure of Britannia facing left, holding a trident in her left hand and an olive branch in her right, with a shield bearing the Union flag resting at her left side. The figure is positioned centrally within the field, with the legend BRITANNIA disposed around the upper periphery. The date appears in the exergue below the figure, with the design conveying themes of maritime sovereignty and peace. |
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| Mintage | 1740 - KM#579.1; Sp#3718 - 1742 - KM#579.1; Sp#3718; overdate variety exists - 1743 - KM#579.1; Sp#3718 - 1744 - KM#579.1; Sp#3718 - 1745 - KM#579.1; Sp#3718 - 1746 - KM#579.2; Sp#3719 - 1747 - KM#579.2; Sp#3719 - 1748 - KM#579.2; Sp#3719 - 1749 - KM#579.2; Sp#3719 - 1750 - KM#579.2; Sp#3719 - 1751 - KM#579.2; Sp#3719 - 1752 - KM#579.2; Sp#3719 - 1753 - KM#579.2; Sp#3719 - 1754 - KM#579.2; Sp#3719 - |
| Additional information |
George II's copper halfpenny series of this period is notorious among specialists for its chaotic production history. The Royal Mint was operating under a contract system that incentivized speed over quality, and the old bust dies — cut after the king's features had aged considerably from earlier issues — were used well past their serviceable life. The result is that later dates in this run show progressive die deterioration, and distinguishing 1749 from 1750 strikes can require close attention to specific die crack patterns documented in Peck's reference work on British copper coinage.