Virginia 1/2 (with period)

Date1773

Maker Tower of London Mint

Designer & engraver Richard Yeo

OriginEngland, London

MediumCopper

DimensionsDiameter: 25 mm

Credit LineGift of the Lasser Family

Object number2002-77,5

DescriptionObverse: Laureate bust of George III to r., GEORGIVS. III REX. around.

Reverse: Virginia arms surrounded by VIRGINIA. 1773.
Label TextAlthough granted its charter in 1606, Virginia did not pursue the right to coinage until the eve of the Revolution, when the Tower Mint struck the only colony-specific issue ever fully authorized. Although the coins came to Virginia in a timely fashion, Treasurer Robert Carter Nicholas wouldn't release them for circulation until February 1775, when the royal proclamation arrived permitting their circulation.

Virginia's 1773 halfpenny was used extensively in Williamsburg, where more than 100 specimens have been recovered from archaeological digs. Still common, more than 2,200 uncirculated (unused) halfpennies were found in a keg in Richmond before 1859 and were sold to coin collectors over the next century.

Breen #181, Newman-25.m (with period)
ProvenanceLikely from the hoard owned by Col. Mendes I. Cohen (of Baltimore, 1796-1879) found in Richmond c.1859, and sold off by Wayte Raymond c. 1929. This hoard was thought to contain some 2200 specimens.

Purchased from Anthony Terranova, 7 June 1999.

Exhibition(s)