Part 5

OBSIDIONAL or SIEGE PIECES. These rude coins, if coins they can be called, were struck by the king, and those favourable to his cause, to supply that monarch with the necessary funds for carrying on his wars. They are extremely interesting, as showing the various inconveniences and shifts the king was subject to. The nobility and gentry, his partisans, were applied to for the use of all their plate, as were also wardens and fellows of the different colleges in the universities of Oxford, etc., the mayors and corporations, of cities and towns, etc. The plate thus collected was chopped up, for the greatest part, in unmeaning shapes, and struck or engraved with different devices, and the value. The Scarborough Half-crown is a piece of thin plate doubled, the corners turned over to hold together. On one side is engraven in a very rude manner the castle, with the value in numerals; and on the other, OBS. SCARBOROUGH, 1645. The Newark Shilling, which is one of the commonest, is lozenge shaped. Obverse, crown between C. R.; beneath, XII. Reverse, OBS. NEWARK, 1646. Pontefract, sometimes an octagonal, and sometimes a round piece. Obverse, C. R. under a crown; DVM SPIRO SPERO. Reverse, Pontefract Castle, with name or letters. Other places where these were struck were Colchester, Carlisle, Dublin, Cork, etc. At Colchester a gold siege piece of the value of 10s. was struck. A history of the coinage in this reign alone would fill a folio volume.

COMMONWEALTH. (1649 to 1660.)

DENOMINATIONS.--_Silver._ Crown, Half-crown, Shilling, Sixpence, Half-groat, Penny, Halfpenny. _Gold._ Broad, or Twenty-shilling-piece; Half-broad, or Ten-shilling-piece; Quarter-broad, or Five-shilling-piece.

OBVERSE.--_Type._ Crown, Half-crown, Shilling, Half-shilling, Half-groat, and Penny, a plain shield charged with the cross of St. George, encircled by a branch of palm, and an olive branch. Halfpenny, same shield, without branches or numerals. Numerals to denote value (as V for 5_s._; II VI for 2_s._ 6_d._; XII for 12_d._; VI for 6_d._; II for 2_d._) on all except the Halfpennies.

_Legend._ THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND. Half-groat, Penny, and Halfpenny, no legend or numerals. Half-shilling, one type has TRVTH AND PEACE.

REVERSE.--_Type._ Shield of St. George’s cross, and shield of Irish harp conjoined, above which is the value, in numerals. Halfpenny, single shield of the Irish harp.

_Legend._ GOD WITH US, and date. Half-groat and Penny, without legend. Halfpenny without legend or value.

_Rarity._ All comparatively common; the coins of 1658 and 1660 are rarest.

_Gold._ Twenty-shilling, Ten-shilling, and Five-shilling pieces, same type and legend as the silver; numerals to denote value.

_Copper._ Farthings. On the obverse a shield of St. George’s cross as before; reverse, shield of Irish harp; legend, FARTHING TOKENS OF ENGLAND. ENGLAND’S FARTHING. THE FARTHIN TOKENS FOR. FOR NECESSITY OF CHANGE, 1649. RELEFE OF THE PORE, etc. Pewter Farthing, shield with voided cross, surmounted by the letters, T.K., in an oval; legend, 1/4 OVNCE OF FINE PEWTR. Reverse: shield of Irish harp, upon rays, surmounted by a palm and laurel wreath; legend, FOR NECESSARY CHANGE. These are all pattern pieces, and are all rare. Several pattern pieces for other coins are also known. One of these has the two shields on the reverse held by a winged angel, and the words GVARDED WITH ANGELS, 1651.

PROTECTORATE.--OLIVER CROMWELL. (1653 to 1658.)

DENOMINATIONS.--_Silver._ Crown, Half-crown, Shilling, Nine-pence, and Sixpence. _Gold._ Fifty-shilling-piece, Broad or Twenty-shilling-piece, Half-broad or Ten-shilling-piece. _Copper._ Farthings.

OBVERSE. _Type._ Sinister bust profile of the Protector, draped, loose drapery, head laureated, hair long.

_Legend._ OLIVAR. D.G. RP. ANG. SCO. ET HIB. and PRO. or otherwise abbreviated.

REVERSE.--_Type._ Shield surmounted by an open arched crown, bearing quarterly, 1 and 4, cross of St. George; 2, cross of St. Andrew; 3, Irish harp, upon an escutcheon of pretence, the arms of Cromwell, a lion rampant.

_Legend._ PAX QVÆRITVR BELLO. and date.

_Edge._ HAS NISI PERITVRVS MIHI ADIMAT NEMO.

_Gold._ Same type and legend as silver. On the edge of the fifty-shilling-piece, PROTECTOR LITERIS LITERÆ NVMMIS CORONA ET SALVS.

_Copper._ Farthing. Obverse, head as before, OLIVAR PRO ENG SC IRL. Reverse, shield as before, and legend CHARITIE AND CHANGE; another, three columns tied together, having on top of the first a cross, the second a harp, and the third a thistle, and the legend THVS VNITED INVINCIBLE; another, a ship under sail, and legend, AND GOD DIRECT OVR COVRS; another, CONVENIENT CHANGE.

CHARLES II. (1660 to 1685.)

DENOMINATIONS.--_Silver._ First issue, Half-crown, Shilling, Sixpence, Half-groat, Penny. Second, same. Third, Half-crown, Shilling, Sixpence, Fourpence or Groat, Threepence, Half-groat, Penny. Fourth, Crown, Half-crown, Shilling, Sixpence. _Gold._ Broad or Twenty-shilling-piece, Half-broad or Ten-shilling-piece, Quarter-broad or Five-shilling-piece. Five-Guinea-piece, Two-guinea-piece, Guinea, Half-guinea. _Copper._ Halfpenny and Farthing. _Tin._ Farthing.

OBVERSE.--_Type._ Sinister laureated bust profile, crowned, loose drapery, hair long and flowing.

_Legend._ CAROLVS. II. D.G. (or DEI. GRA. or GRATIA). MAG. BRI. FRA. ET HIB. REX, or otherwise abbreviated. REVERSE.--_Type._ The first three issues of coins bore a plain shield of arms, quarterly, 1 and 4 France and England quarterly, 2 Scotland, 3 Ireland, over a cross fleury. Those of the fourth and last issue bear four shields, with the bottoms joined, forming a cross; the shields being England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, each crowned; in the centre, within a star, St. George’s cross. Between the shields, in the four compartments, are two Cs interlinked. One Shilling has one shield of France and England, quarterly, two shields of Scotland, and one of Ireland, not crowned; between the shields are the interlinked Cs crowned. The Fourpence has a monogram of four Cs interlinked, in form of a cross, crowned; and in the compartments are severally a rose, a thistle, a fleur-de-lis, and a harp. The Threepence has three Cs interlinked; the Twopence two Cs interlinked; and the Penny a single C, all crowned; these denote the value; others have numerals crowned.

_Legend._ MAG. BR. FRA. ET HIB. REX., or otherwise abbreviated, and date. CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO.

_Edge._ DECVS ET TVTAMEN ANNO XV or VICESIMO, or other year of reign.

_Gold._ Same type, sceptres between shields. Obverse: Bust, laureated and draped, with long hair. Reverse: First issue, arms, etc., as on silver; later issue, Five-guinea, Guinea, etc., four shields arranged as a cross, and each crowned; in the centre four Cs interlinked, from which issue four sceptres, terminating respectively in orb and cross, thistle, fleur-de-lis, and harp. Legend on reverses, FLORENT CONCORDIA REGNA, or titles. Edge, DECVS ET TVTAMEN, and year of reign as on the silver.

_Copper._ Halfpence and Farthings, sinister bust profile, laureated, in armour. English, CAROLVS A CAROLO. Scotch, CAR. II. D. G. SCO. AN. FR. ET HIB. R. Irish, CAROLVS II DEI GRATIA. Reverse, English, figure of Britannia, which now first appears; Irish, a harp crowned, date on field; Scotch, a thistle crowned. English, BRITANNIA, date in exergue; Irish, MAG. BR. FRA. ET. HIB. REX.; Scotch, NEMO ME IMPVNE LACESSET. and date; all common. Farthing with Britannia particularly so.

_Tin or Pewter._ Halfpence and Farthings, some with a plug of copper in the centre. On the edge, NVMMORVM FAMVLVS and date.

Siege pieces of Charles II., CAROLVS SECVNDVS, or CAROL. II. D.G. MAG. B. F. ET H. REX.; and on the reverse, C. R. under a crown; DVM SPIRO SPERO, or POST MORTEM PATRIS PRO FILIO were struck at Pontefract.

I may here mention a most splendid specimen of the die-sinker’s art, produced by Simon, the celebrated die-sinker, as a trial piece against an artist who was employed by Charles. The obverse has a bust of the king of most exquisite workmanship, and round the _edge_ of the coin, in place of DECVS., etc., was this simple petition in two lines: “THOMAS. SIMON. most humbly prays your MAJESTY to compare this, his tryal piece, with the Dutch, and, if more truly drawn, and embossed, more gracefully ordered, and more accurately engraven, to relieve him.” At Trattle’s sale, in 1832, a very fine specimen sold for £225. It is said that only twenty copies were struck with the petition on the edge, and a few others with a different edge, REDDITE QVAE CAESARES CAESARI & POST; and one is recorded to be known bearing, RENDER TO CÆSAR THE THINGS WHICH ARE CÆSAR’S.

JAMES II. (1685 to 1689.)

DENOMINATIONS.--_Silver._ Crown, Half-crown, Shilling, Sixpence, Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence, Penny. _Gold._ Five-guinea, Two-guinea, Guinea, Half-guinea. _Tin or Pewter._ Halfpenny, Farthing. _Gun Money._ As silver.

OBVERSE.--_Type._ Sinister bust profile, laureated, on some draped, on others undraped; hair long. The Crown has the king in armour on horseback, with drawn sword.

_Legend._ IACOBVS. II. DEI. GRATIA.

REVERSE.--_Type._ Shields in cross, etc. The Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence, and Penny have the value, IIII., III., II., I., crowned.

_Legend._ MAG. BR. FRA. ET. HIB. REX. and date.

_Edge._ DECVS ET TVTAMEN REX, and year of reign.

_Gun Money._ Silver being scarce in this reign, an issue of base money was resorted to, some of which, being struck from the old cannon and domestic utensils melted down, is called “Gun Money.” The Crown, which is scarce, has the king in armour, laureated, on horseback, with a drawn sword, a long sash flying behind; reverse, four shields in cross, with the crown in the centre; the Half-crowns, Shillings, and Sixpences have two sceptres in saltire, behind a crown, between I. R.; above the crown are numerals for value, and beneath, the month in which it was struck. _Gold._ The Five-guinea-piece is rare, the others common. They are of the same general type as the silver.

_Tin or Pewter._ Halfpence and Farthings: obverse, bust profile, as before; reverse, English, figure of Britannia, BRITANNIA; Irish, figure of Hibernia with the harp, HIBERNIA, or Irish harp crowned. Half-farthings: obverse, sceptres in saltire, and crown; reverse, harp or rose, crowned. There is also a kind called plug-money; this was struck owing to a scarcity of copper; it is of pewter, and in the middle is inserted a very small square plug of copper, to show that it is intended to pass for copper money. One tin Halfpenny has the king on horseback with drawn sword, on the obverse, and on the reverse the harp surmounted by a crown with lion crest, and two sceptres in saltire; in this two or more plugs of brass are inserted. Other varieties need not be particularized. White metal coins were also issued.

WILLIAM III. AND MARY II. (1689 to 1702. 1689 to 1694.)

DENOMINATIONS. _Silver._ Crown, Half-crown, Shilling, Sixpence, Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence, Penny. _Gold._ Five-guinea, Two-guinea, Guinea, Half-Guinea. _Tin._ Halfpenny, Farthing. _Copper._ Halfpenny, Farthing.

OBVERSE.--_Type._ Dexter busts profile of king and queen, (William and Mary) side by side, that of the king laureated, partly in armour. Queen draped, hair curled; some have the bust of Mary only; Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence, and Penny, busts undraped. After Mary’s death, the bust of William, profile and laureated, appears alone.

_Legend._ First, GVLIELMVS ET MARIA or GVLIELMVS ET MARIA DEI GRATIA. Later, GVLIELMVS TERTIVS. or GVLIELMVS III. DEI GRATIA.

REVERSE.--_Type._ Four crowned shields in cross, as before; in the centre, the shield of Nassau; between the shields, W. and M. conjoined; the four figures of the date, as 1693, one under each monograph. Some Half-crowns have a plain shield of the royal arms, crowned; Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence, and Penny, values crowned. After the death of Mary, feathers on some, and on others roses, take the place of the monogram of W and M between the shields; on others the space is left blank.

_Legend._ MAG BR FRA ET HIB REX ET REGINA, or the same, leaving off “et regina.”

_Edge._ DECVS ET TVTAMEN and year of reign.

_Gold._ Busts as before; reverse, royal arms in large shield, crowned. After Mary’s death, reverse, shields in cross, with sceptres, as on the silver.

_Copper._ Halfpence and Farthings. Obverse, busts as before, GVLIELMVS ET MARIA, or GVLIELMVS TERTIVS. Reverse, figure of Britannia, BRITANNIA, date in exergue; Irish, GVLIELMVS ET MARIA DEI GRATIA; reverse, Irish harp crowned, MAG BR FR ET HIB REX ET REGINA, date on field. There are coins also, of Mary’s only, one of which has, on obverse, bust profile of queen, draped, hair turned up behind, MARIA II DEI GRATIA; reverse, full blown rose on a branch, EX CANDORE DECVS. After the queen’s death, the coins have the bust of William, as before, with GVLIELMVS TERTIVS; reverse, same as before. Scotch have, on obverse, a sword and sceptre in saltire, with a crown above: reverse, thistle, crowned; another has a monogram.

ANNE. (1702 to 1714.)

DENOMINATIONS.--_Silver._ Crown, Half-crown, Shilling, Sixpence, Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence, Penny. _Gold._ Five-guinea, Two-guinea, Guinea, Half-guinea. _Copper._ Farthing.

OBVERSE.--_Type._ Sinister bust profile, draped, hair thrown back, and tied at back of head with a ribband, which passes round the head.

_Legend._ ANNA DEI GRATIA.

REVERSE.--_Type._ Four crowned shields in cross. Before the union these shields were, 1 England, 2 Scotland, 3 France, 4 Ireland. After the union they were altered to two shields of England and Scotland impaled, one of France, and one of Ireland. In the centre, the cross of St. George, in a star of the garter; between the shields, feathers or roses, or feathers and roses alternately; Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence, and Penny, values, crowned.

_Legend._ MAG BRI FR ET HIB REG and date.

_Edge._ DECVS ET TVTAMEN, and year of reign.

_Rarity._ All common. The smaller denominations scarcer than the others.

_Gold._ Same type and legend and edge. Reverse, sceptres between the shields.

_Copper._ As there is so much popular error concerning the farthings, it may be well to remark at length upon them, in order to clear away the absurd idea generally entertained, of there being only three in existence. Instead of this being the case, there are absolutely six distinct varieties. The first, which is the only one which was ever in general circulation, has, on the obverse, sinister bust profile, of queen, draped, hair thrown back, encircled with a string of pearls, ANNA DEI GRATIA; reverse, figure of Britannia, olive branch in her right, and spear in her left hand, BRITANNIA, date, 1714, in exergue: this, although scarce, is by far the commonest of the whole: there is one with the same type, but broad rim, which is rare. Second, bust as before, ANNA REGINA; reverse, as last. Third, same bust, ANNA DEI GRATIA; reverse, figure of Britannia, right leg bare; BRITANNIA, 1713, round. Fourth, obverse as before; reverse, Britannia, as last, under an arch; BRITANNIA in exergue, 1713. Fifth, bust as before, with band instead of pearls, within an inner circle (the busts on the others are on the field); reverse, figure of Britannia standing, helmeted, in the right hand the olive branch, and in her left the spear, within inner circle; BELLO ET PACE; date 1715, in exergue. Sixth, bust as one, ANNA AVGVSTA; reverse, same figure as last, standing in a car, drawn by two horses; in her right hand she holds the olive branch, in her left the reins and a spear; PAX MISSA PER ORBEM; in exergue, 1713. The prices depend upon the state of preservation of the coins, but, for FINE ones, the following are about the values: 1, from six shillings to fourteen shillings; 2 and 3, from fifteen shillings to thirty shillings; 3, 4, and 6, from two to three pounds: 5, the rarest, from five to ten, or twelve pounds. There is a small medal, or counter, which is very frequently mistaken by the generality of persons for one of her farthings. It has on the obverse the bust, with ANNA DEI GRATIA; reverse, the four shields in cross, sometimes plain, and sometimes with roses between the shields, MAG BR FRA ET HIB REG 1711; frequently RIG instead of REG. Some of these are of beautiful workmanship, and others very rude: they are far from being scarce; they were not struck as current coins. Halfpenny, bust, ANNA D G MAG BR FR ET HIB REG; reverse, sitting figure of Britannia, leaning on a shield, in her left hand a spear, in her right a rose and thistle emanating from the same branch; the whole beneath a crown.

GEORGE I. (1714 to 1727.)

DENOMINATIONS.--_Silver._ Crown, Half-crown, Shilling, Sixpence, Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence, Penny. _Gold._ Five-guinea, Two-guinea, Guinea, Half-guinea, Quarter-guinea. _Copper._ Halfpenny, Farthing.

OBVERSE.--_Type._ Dexter laureated bust profile, in armour and draped, hair long and curled.

_Legend._ GEORGIVS D. G. M. BR. FR. ET. HIB. REX. F. D.

REVERSE.--_Type._ Four crowned shields in cross. 1, England and Scotland impaled; 2, France; 3, Ireland; 4, Brunswick, and Lunenberg with Hanoverian escutcheon. Between the shields, on some, are a rose and thistle or feathers alternately; on others, S. S. C. (South Sea Company, silver), etc., indicative of the kind of silver of which they are minted; in the centre is the star and cross of St. George. Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence, and Penny, values crowned.

_Legend._ BRVN. ET. L. DVX. S. R. I. A. TH. ET. EL., reading on from the obverse; thus, in full, “Georgius, Dei gratia, Magnæ Britanniæ Franciæ et Hiberniæ Rex, Fidei Defensor, Brunsvicensis et Lunenbergensis Dux, Sacri Romani Imperii Thesaurarius et Princeps Elector” (or Elector only), and date.

_Edge._ DECVS ET TVTAMEN, and year of reign.

_Gold._ Same general type and legend as the silver.

_Copper._ Halfpence and Farthings. Obverse, dexter bust profile, draped, laureated, GEORGIVS REX. Reverse, figure of Britannia, BRITANNIA, date in exergue. The Farthing has a broad rim. Obverse, Irish Halfpence, bust as before, undraped, GEORGIVS DEI GRATIA REX; reverse, figure of Hibernia, with harp, HIBERNIA; date in same line.

GEORGE II. (1727 to 1760.)

DENOMINATIONS.--_Silver._ Crown, Half-crown, Shilling, Sixpence, Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence, Penny. _Gold._ Five-guinea, Two-guinea, Guinea, Half-guinea. _Copper._ Halfpenny, Farthing.

OBVERSE.--_Type._ Sinister laureated bust profile, in armour, hair long and curled; under the head of some is LIMA.

_Legend._ GEORGIVS II DEI GRATIA.

REVERSE.--_Type._ Four crowned shields in cross as on those of George I. In the centre of some is the motto, HONI SOIT, etc., on the garter round the cross, as George I. On some, plain between the shields; on others, a rose and Welsh feathers alternately, four roses or four feathers, to denote the silver from which they are minted. Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence, and Penny, values, crowned.

_Legend._ M. B. F. ET. H. REX. F. D. B. ET. L. D. S. R. I. A. T. ET. E., as explained under George I., and date. Penny, MAG. BRI. FR. ET. HIB. REX., and date.

_Gold._ Bust, undraped, laureated; reverse, royal arms in an ornamented shield, crowned.

_Copper._ Halfpence and Farthings. Bust as before, laureated and in armour, GEORGIVS II REX.; reverse, figure of Britannia, BRITANNIA, date in exergue. Irish Halfpence and Farthings, same bust, undraped; reverse, Irish harp, crowned, HIBERNIA, and date.

GEORGE III. (1760 to 1820.)

DENOMINATIONS.--_Silver._ Crown, Half-crown, Shilling, Sixpence, Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence, Penny. _Gold._ Guinea (21_s._), Half-guinea (10_s._ 6_d._), Third-of-guinea or Seven-shilling-piece (7_s._), Quarter-of-guinea (5_s._ 3_d._), Sovereign (20_s._), Half-sovereign (10_s._). _Copper._ Twopence, Penny, Halfpenny, Farthing.

OBVERSE.--_Type._ Early issues: dexter bust profile of king, in armour, laureated, hair long; on his later coinage, bust undraped, laureated, hair short.

_Legend._ Early: GEORGIVS III DEI GRATIA. Late: GEOR. (or GEORGIVS) III. D. G. BRITT. (or BRITANNIARVM) REX. F. D. (or FID. DEF.), etc. Later coinage has the date beneath the head.

REVERSE.--_Type._ Early coinage: Four crowned or uncrowned shields in cross, as on coins of George I. and II.; the crowns in those instances where they do not surmount the shields, being placed in the angles between them. Later coinage: Crown, St. George and the Dragon within the mottoed garter, Half-crown, crowned shield of royal arms, within the garter, on which is the motto, HONI SOIT, etc.; quarterly, 1 and 4, England, 2, Scotland, 3, Ireland, Brunswick, etc., on an escutcheon surmounted by the electorate crown; the shield crowned; on another, round the garter, is the collar and badge of the order. Shillings, royal shield encircled by the garter, no legend; Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence, and Penny, values, either IIII. III. II. I., or in figures; one mintage, called wire-money, has the value in writing figures, all the lines of the same strength.

_Legend._ Early: M. B. F. ET. H. REX. F. D. B. ET. L. D. S. R. I. A. T. ET. E. and date. Late: BRITANNIARVM REX FID DEF OR FIDEI DEFENSOR.

During great scarcity of silver money in 1797 Spanish dollars and half-dollars were countermarked with a small punch of the king’s head and put into circulation as current coin of the value of 4_s._ 9_d._ This stamp having been counterfeited to a considerable extent, a different one was adopted in 1804, but it in turn being much counterfeited, the whole dollar was re-stamped with a fresh octagonal device, the king’s head, etc., on the obverse, and on the reverse a figure of Britannia within an oval, crowned with a mural crown, and having the words BANK OF ENGLAND FIVE SHILLINGS DOLLAR, 1804. Bank of England tokens, value Six-shillings, Three-shillings, and other amounts, were also issued. Of these, and the Irish and Madras and other issues, I must forego particulars.

_Gold._ Obverse, bust laureated; reverse, Guinea, and Half-guinea, royal arms in a “spade ace” shield, crowned; Sovereign, George and Dragon within the garter; Half-sovereign, royal shield; Seven-shillings, a crown.

_Copper._ Early coinage: Halfpennies and Farthings, bust laureated and in armour, GEORGIVS III REX.; reverse, figure of Britannia, BRITANNIA and date; Irish, bust undraped; reverse, Irish harp crowned. 1797 and 1799, Twopence and Penny, with raised broad rim, on which is the legend, indented, bust profile, laureated, hair long, draped, GEORGIVS III DEI GRATIA REX; Farthing, date under head; reverse, Britannia, bareheaded, in the right hand an olive branch, in the left a trident; seated on a rock, shield under her left hand, BRITANNIA, in the distance a ship (the water cut up to the curve of the coin), date under figure. Halfpence and Farthings, same figure of Britannia, but without the broad rim; halfpenny, BRITANNIA, date under figure; Farthing, BRITANNIA, under figure, 1 FARTHING. In 1806-7, Pence, Halfpence, and Farthings, bust laureated and draped, hair short, GEORGIVS III. D. G. REX. and date. Britannia as before, water in a line across, BRITANNIA. Irish, harp, crowned, HIBERNIA, and date. A large variety of copper coins for the East India Company, Isle of Man, Prince of Wales Island, Sierra Leone, Barbadoes, Ceylon, etc., were struck, which need not be particularized.

GEORGE IV. (1820 to 1830.)

DENOMINATIONS.--_Silver._ Crown, Half-crown, Shilling, Sixpence, Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence, Penny. _Gold._ Five-sovereign, Double-sovereign, Sovereign, Half-sovereign. _Copper._ Penny, Halfpenny, Farthing.

OBVERSE.--_Type._ Sinister large bust profile, laureated, undraped. In 1826 the bust differs, the neck and head are much narrower in proportion, and it is not laureated. These latter coins are the productions of Mr. Wyon, from the bust by Chantrey; the former ones are Pistrucci’s.