Cull I.D. - Might I have a colonial here?

xbob

I have this severely corroded coin that in person appears too worn to identify. Recently I caught the light just right with it and noticed the seated figure outline. After a scan and playing with levels and such in Photoshop, I revealed enough to see a "B" and a "5" also.
I flipped through my Red Book and found the closest match to be a New York Colonial, Group II, and based on the "5" - from 1775. (see page 54 in the 2005 spiral version). Since the Red Book colonial is an imitation halfpence, maybe this is just a real halfpence. Anybody have any ideas?

I know it's not valuable either way, but fun to verify.

Here's the Obverse:


and with my markings of what I see:


Here's the reverse which seems completely unidentifyable:


If anybody wants to play with the photoshop files, I made them available here: Mysterycull Photoshop files zipped 1.7MB

Monstavet

After viewing this picture, I feel like I have been to a shrink where she says, "Tell me what you see, just say the first thing that comes to mind!" LOL. Inkblots anyone?

mgoodm3

Is she holding a Xmas tree?

xbob

Agreed but it's just for fun. I am sure it's not a 1933 Saint.

coachleonard

a 1775-dated Machin Mills copper is a possiblility, but more likely it's either an official British halfpence of 1770-5 OR a late 1700's British-made forgery of a 1770-75 halfpenny OR a late 1700's American-made forgery of a 1770-75 British Halfpenny. ALL of these 4 possibilities circulated in the colonies/early United States... so in essence, you do have a "colonial" coin.

JadeRareCoin

Too far gone to tell from the images. However, if it is fairly thick, then it is most likely a genuine British Half Penny. If the coin seems unusually thin, then it could be either a contemporary British counterfiet, or a contemporary counterfeit made in the Colonies (i.e. Machin's Mills).

xbob

Thanks coach! I knew there would be a great answer from someone who knows this series, and yours is it. Much appreciated!

Shamika

I see it. I really do.

xbob

Jade -

It's actually the same size and thickness of the 1797 cent I got from you guys. I guess the verdict is contemporary counterfeit made in the Colonies or Great Britain.

It came from a tin box that belonged to my great grandfather.

Thanks for the reply.

JadeRareCoin

Hey xbob,

I didn't even know that this was your thread. Your new icon threw me for a loop!

If your coin is the same thickness as the 1797 cent that we sold to you, then you have a genuine British Half Penny. Sounds like it has great sentimental value.

Thanks, Dennis

xbob

Yes. It's a keeper for me.

I should have mentioned the size in my first message.

Now I am glad to know what it is.

BigE

I don't think you should have drawn on it------BigE

dimples