1766 Pitt Halfpenny Token. Betts-519, W-8350. Rarity-3. Copper. AU-58 (PCGS).

1766 Pitt Halfpenny Token. Betts-519, W-8350. Rarity-3. Copper. AU-58 (PCGS). Thoroughly PQ for both the type and the assigned grade, this is an overall smooth, visually impressive Pitt halfpenny at the cusp of full Mint State preservation. Both sides are hard and tight, free of planchet or strike problems, with richly original toning in even rose-orange brown. Detail is full apart from a hint of softness at the front of the hull, but we stress that in general the ship shows far sharper detail than typically seen. A tiny spot in the right obverse field is noted solely for accuracy; there are none but trivial handling marks that require magnification to discern. A Pitt halfpenny is on every colonial collector's want list. They exist in every grade, as they seem to have been commonly adopted among the circulating coppers for their size and similar design. Despite the relatively large numbers issued, and the fact that these are technically tokens or medalets, they are incredibly rare in high grade. Their target audience was not collectors with mahogany cabinets, but rank and file colonists, the kind of folks who might buy one as a souvenir and end up having to spend it someday. Apparently, most did just that. This one is very nearly Mint State and almost certainly did not see circulation in the strictest sense of that term. We have yet to see either its equal or superior in certified AU-58. Provenance: From the Emerald Coast Collection. PCGS# 236. NGC ID: 2AUH. Click here for certification details from PCGS.

Estimate:£0.74

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