Undated (ca. 1652-1674) St. Patrick Farthing. Martin 1c.1-Aa.1, W-11500.

Undated (ca. 1652-1674) St. Patrick Farthing. Martin 1c.1-Aa.1, W-11500. Rarity-7. Copper. Halo Around Saint's Head. VG-10 (PCGS). 70.8 grains. Lovely autumn-brown surfaces are originally and evenly toned with an exceptionally smooth appearance in a well circulated early colonial era copper. The letters in REX run off the planchet, centers a bit softer than elsewhere, but in general this is both a well centered and overall boldly defined VG example. Light traces of the splasher in faded brassy-olive are discernible over and around the upper left part of the crown. This is one of the rare and significant Halo or "Nimbus" varieties of St. Patrick farthing, characterized by the added reverse detail of a halo of rays emanating from both sides of the saint's mitre. Just two of the nearly 150 known farthing reverse dies display this feature, and these two dies are seen in three die combinations, all of which are extremely rare. The two Halo reverses, Aa.1 and Ab.1, together comprise Martin's reverse group A. As a major variety at PCGS and a Guide Book-listed type this is a necessary coin for the many collectors putting together the small yet challenging type set of St. Patrick coinage. As such, the small number of Halo specimens see intense demand when offered for sale and realize strong prices regardless of grade. This one is more visually appealing that many we have seen at the certified Fine or VF levels, which tend to be granular or otherwise have problems. Provenance: From the Emerald Coast Collection. Earlier from our sale of the Richard August Collection, November 2025 Showcase Auction, lot 1081. PCGS# 915292. BASE PCGS# 82. NGC ID: 2U3R. Click here for certification details from PCGS. Image with the PCGS TrueView logo is obtained from and is subject to a license agreement with Collectors Universe, Inc. and its divisions PCGS and PSA.

Estimate:$1

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