Evasion halfpennies c. 1672 - 1806

This page relates to an ongoing research project of cataloging and imaging counterfeit and evasion British halfpenny coins minted between 1672 and 1806, with UK provenance.

The research project started 11 August 2019. The goal is to prepare a comprehensive catalog which not only includes the evasion halfpennies but also counterfeits, with approximate indications of rarity and price on the numismatic market.

The following rarity parameters are used:

R4: believed to be unique R3: less than 10 specimens known ("extremely rare") R2: 10 - 50 specimens known ("very rare") R: 50 - 300 specimens known ("rare") Scarce: Available to collectors with some regularity. Assumed that 300 - 1000 specimens known Common: Easily available to collectors; many specimens known.

It is noted that even common coins may be rare or very rare in good states of preservation.

A table of specimens studied to date will follow in due course.

Reference number	Image	Obverse legend	Reverse legend	Obverse type	Reverse type	Weight	Atkins reference (if any)	Rarity	Notes
George II; Cast type A1	Obverse. Reverse.	GEORGIVS [II REX]	BRITANNIA 173[?]	Young head of George II facing left.	Britannia facing left holding spear and olive branch.	Not recorded.	-	C	Crude cast manufacture; may be found in brass or other copper alloys.
NW1	Obverse. Reverse.	COLONEL KIRK.	NORTH WALES 1796	Bust of Colonel Kirk left.	Irish harp. (Type B)	Not recorded.	Atkins 64	Scarce (?)
NW2	Obverse. Reverse.	GEORGEIVS WASHINGTON	NORTH WALES ** **	Bust of George Washington left	Irish harp. (Type A)	Not recorded.	Atkins 133	R2	Approximately 15 specimens known. Circa 1795.
1777a	Obverse. Reverse.	[GEOR]GIVS. II. REX.	BRITANNIA 1777	Bust of George II left	Britannia seated, facing holding spear and olive branch.	Not recorded.	-	R2 (?)	Possibly a mule of two dies due to incompatibility of bust type and date; or could be intentional ? No regal halfpennies minted in 1777.
1748a	Obverse. Reverse.	GEORGIVS. II[I] REX.	BRIT[ANNIA] 1748	Bust of George III right. Prominent die flaw on face.	Headless Britannia holding olive branch and spear.	Not recorded. Very underweight.	-	R	Reverse die with headless Britannia likely designed to give the appearance of wear even in freshly struck coins.
1748a; specimen 2	Obverse (specimen 2) Reverse (specimen 2)	GEORGIVS. III. REX.	BRITAN[NIA] [174]8	Bust of George III right. Prominent die flaw on face.	Headless Britannia holding olive branch and spear.	4.40g	-	R	As above.
1772BSBR1	Obverse. Reverse.	BRUTUS SEXTUS	BRITONS RULE 1772	Bust (BS type) left. Crude features.	Britannia seated facing left holding olive branch and spear. Crude, very low relief engraving.		26	R	Struck in very low relief to appear worn on minting. Photographed specimen saw little wear. 2 of date overpunched, probably on a misplaced 2.
177?	Obverse. Reverse.	GEORGIVS. III. REX.	BRITAN[NIA]	Relatively good quality bust right, aged features.	Britannia seated facing left holding olive branch and spear. Cruder engraving, broad chest and waist, blundered union jack on shield.		-	? (probably R)	Related to Series A ?

Reverse and obverse types for "Series A" - common struck non-regal pieces with shared types

• 
  Obverse type 1: open banded curaiss, bloated cheek, wreath with large leaves and one large berry
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  Obverse type 2: closed, unbanded curaiss, slimmer cheek, elongated neck
• 
  Obverse type 2: second example; similar bust but with larger lettering, open mouth
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  Obverse type 3: closed, banded curaiss, slim cheek, pinched facial features, normal neck
• 
  Obverse type 4: open, banded curaiss, slim cheek, crude facial features, fringe is a simple series of raised lines
• 
  Obverse type 5: open, banded curaiss, two small berries in wreath, crude eyes, open mouth
• 
  Obverse type 6: open, banded curaiss, three (?) small berries in wreath, older features, contoured cheek

• 
  Reverse type 1: Elongated Britannia with a very thin waist and crude facial features, olive branch is very leafy
• 
  Reverse type 1: second specimen dated 1771; different subtype, note larger lettering, no stop after BRITANNIA,
• 
  Reverse type 2: as reverse type 1 but Britannia less elongated with a thicker waist; this specimen dated 1775
• 
  Reverse type 2: second specimen dated 1773; different subtype - note Britannia's neckline
• 
  Reverse type 2: third specimen dated 1774
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  Reverse type 3: as reverse type 1 but absurdly elongated neck, cruder drapery
• 
  Reverse type 4: Elongated Britannia with distended chest and long arms, crude facial features

Table of specimens

Reference number	Image	Obverse legend	Reverse legend	Obverse type	Reverse type	Weight	Atkins reference (if any)	Rarity	Notes
1775a	Obverse. Reverse.	GEORGIVS . III. REX.	BRITANNIA. 1775	Bust of George III right. Various differences with official portrait. In particular, note large laurel leaves in wreath, with oversized berries, and bloated cheeks.	Britannia seated facing left holding spear and olive branch. Elongated form with thin waist and crude face.	Not recorded.	-	C	Specimen shows numerous die flaws which are typical of this type.
1775b	Obverse. Reverse.	GEORGIVS. III. REX.	BR[ITAN]NIA. 1775	Bust of George III right. Better quality imitation of official bust. Note elongated neck and closed cuirass.	Britannia seated facing left holding spear and olive branch. Elongated form, although less extreme than 1775a, thicker waist. Date numerals crudely entered.	Not recorded.	-	C