Rosa Americana 1d
Date1723
Maker
William Wood
MediumBrass
Dimensions26 mm.
Credit LineGift of the Lasser family
Object number2002-77,2
DescriptionObv. - Laur. bust of George I to rightRev. - Crowned "American" rose, banner below
Label TextA prosperous copper and tin mine owner from Staffordshire, England, William Wood mistakenly thought that a royal patent to produce coins for Ireland and the American colonies would make him rich. Despite the pressure Wood expended to have King George I grant his requests, His Majesty's mistress, the Duchess of Munster and Kendal, absconded with the royal warrants and actually held the pieces of parchment hostage.
Wood was forced to pay £10,000 to the Duchess, and in order to preserve his profit, reduced the size and weight of the three Rosa Americana coins, the twopence, penny, and halfpenny. Their light weight and apparently confusing denominations ensured they would be unwelcome in America. Massachusetts responded with an alternative, the three-denomination set of small parchment notes issued in 1722, and New York merchants refused to accept them.
Nonetheless, since coins were so desperately needed in the colonies, they did find their way into circulation. Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists have excavated numerous examples of all denominations.
InscribedObv - GEORGIUS . DEI . GRATIA . REX
Rev - ROSA . AMERICANA . 1723, UTILE . DULCI below in banner
ProvenancePurchased form Anthony Terranova, 12 August 1999
1793
