pieces struck were undated; others bear the dates 1722, 1723, 1724, and 1733. The Rosa Americana pieces were issued in three denominations—half penny, penny, and twopence—and were intended for America. This type had a fully bloomed rose on the reverse with the words ROSA AMERICANA UTILE DULCI (“American Rose—Useful and Sweet”).
The obverse, common to both Rosa Americana and Hibernia pieces, shows the head of George I and the legend GEORGIUS D:G MAG: BRI: FRA: ET. HIB: REX (“George, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland”) or abbreviations thereof. Rosa Americana coins, however, were rejected by the American colonists. The coins are made of a brass composition of copper and zinc (sometimes mistakenly referred to as Bath metal). Planchet quality is often rough and porous.
| 1724 Twopence (pattern)$25,300, Choice AU, Stack’s Bowers auction, May 2005 |
The 1733 twopence is a pattern piece and bears the bust of George II facing to the left. It was issued by the successors to the coinage patent, as William Wood had died in 1730.
| 1733 Twopence (pattern), Proof$63,250, Gem PF, Stack’s Bowers auction, May 2005 |
Wood’s Hibernia Coinage
The type intended for Ireland had a seated figure with a harp on the reverse side and the word HIBERNIA. Denominations struck were farthing and halfpenny, with dates 1722, 1723, and 1724. Hibernia coins were unpopular in Ireland, so some of them were sent to the American colonies. Numerous varieties exist.
First Type
Second Type
1723, 3 Over 2
1724, Hibernia Farthing
1724, Hibernia Halfpenny
Virginia Halfpennies
In 1773, coinage of a copper halfpenny for Virginia was authorized by the Crown. The pattern, in Proof struck on a large planchet with a wide milled border, is often referred to as a penny. Most Mint State pieces are from the Colonel Cohen Hoard discussed on page 31.
The silver piece dated 1774 is referred to as a shilling, but may have been a pattern or trial for a halfpenny or a guinea.
Red uncirculated pieces without spots are worth considerably more.
1773, “Penny”
1774, “Shilling”
| PF | |
| 1773 “Penny” | $27,000 |
| 1774 “Shilling” (6 known) | 110,000 |
EARLY AMERICAN AND RELATED TOKENS
Elephant Tokens
London Elephant Tokens
The London Elephant tokens were struck circa 1672 to 1694. Although they were undated, two examples are known to have been struck over 1672 British halfpennies. Most were struck in copper, but one was made of brass. The legend on this piece, GOD PRESERVE LONDON, is probably just a general plea for divine aid and not a specific reference to the outbreak of plague in 1665 or the great fire of 1666.
These pieces were not struck for the colonies, and probably did not circulate widely in America, although a few may have been carried there by colonists. They are associated with the 1694 Carolina and New England Elephant tokens, through a shared obverse die.
Carolina Elephant Tokens
Although no law is known
