FS: Extremely rare contemporary counterfeit 1646 Bristol/Bridgnorth Halfcrown

Omegaraptor

One of the most interesting pieces I have. This coin is a billon (silver over copper core) contemporary counterfeit 1646 Halfcrown with a die pairing that shouldn't exist - the obverse has the Bristol mintmark under the horse, while the reverse does not have this mintmark and matches the issues from Bridgnorth-on-Severn. (In fact, Bristol only produced halfcrowns of this style from 1643 to 1645, as far as I can tell.)

Considering that:

• Counterfeiting in 1600s England was punishable by death
• The coin is debased and mostly copper, and still ended up heavily clipped
• This coin survived the Great Recoinage in 1696

it is kind of amazing that it still exists at all. Although it is non-regal, it is extremely rare. I was only able to find one exact match, and this was a nicer, non-clipped piece that sold for $1500 US. Another piece in similar condition (clipped and worn) that has the same reverse die in an earlier state and a different obverse die (actually a Bridgnorth die) sold for 380 British pounds at Spink, or $480 US.

I'm offering this one at $269 shipped and insured, OBO.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Comps:
https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=372588
https://spink.com/lot/20004000303

Omegaraptor

ttt

Omegaraptor

Bump, I'm dropping this to $269 shipped and insured within the United States