The Virginia Halfpenny

BillJones

For those who not familiar with the Virginia half penny, here is nice example in MS-64, red. (NOTE I originally post this in the "favorite coin" string but thought that it might draw more interest if it had a topic line of its own.)



Among the 13 original colonies, Virginia was the only colony that was authorized to issue its own coinage. For whatever reasons the colonial government of Virginia chose not to take advantage of that right. One explanation that has been given is that tobacco was used as a medium of exchange, and no one saw a need for a coinage. Finally in 1773 the Virginia assembly decided to exercise their prerogative.

The coins were struck at the Tower Mint in London, but when they arrived in Virginia, the colonial officials delayed putting the coins into circulation until they received royal approval. When the approval arrived the Revolutionary War was about to break out, and there was concern that these coins, which depicted King George III, would spark protests.

Still a number of these coins did reach circulation, and they were used along with the hodge-podge of copper coins that were in circulation during the 1780s and beyond. Circulated examples of these coins can be found at coin shows, but they take a backseat to the many Mint State examples that exist.

Before the Civil War a keg of these coins cropped up in Richmond, Virginia. These coins, which totaled at least 2,200 pieces, were long in the procession of a 19th collector. Finally in the 1920s legendary coin dealer, Wayte Raymond, got his hands on them and sold them to collectors. The coins from this hoard are mostly red and red-brown Mint State examples. It is easily the most common “colonial coin” in the front of the Red Book in Mint State condition, and practically the only one that collectors can hope to own in Red or R&B Unc.

mgoodm3

Interesting, thanks for the info.

Coinerww

Thanks for the post.

kamehameha00

Thanks! That was very imformative.

relayer

Interesting story. Thanks

Shamika

<< <i>Before the Civil War a keg of these coins cropped up in Richmond, Virginia. These coins, which totaled at least 2,200 pieces, were long in the procession of a 19th collector. Finally in the 1920s legendary coin dealer, Wayte Raymond, got his hands on them and sold them to collectors. The coins from this hoard are mostly red and red-brown Mint State examples. >>


So THAT'S why I see so many of these in red and red-brown.

Good thread.

dorkkarl

i've probably owned half a dozen of these over the years in high grade. your right, probably the easiest colonial to get in high grades (some would say "kentucky tokens" are more common in high grade, but not really a colonial to me).

great thread!

K S