1723 Wood’s Hibernia Halfpenny. Martin 4.33-Gb.2, W-12880. Rarity-3. MS-64 RB (PCGS).

117.4 grains. Noted as "one of the nicest this cataloguer has seen," this coin was described in the 2005 Ford sale as "A blazing Gem specimen. The obverse is about 95% mint red while the reverse is about 75% original red." Boldly lustrous and barely mellowed from full brilliance, this piece is an unusual survivor of the type. Both sides are aligned trivially to 9 o'clock but the strike is firm on both sides. Some planchet flaking is noted under magnified scrutiny, but no other problems are worth noting. This piece would be just about impossible to improve upon. Just four 1723 Wood's Hibernia halfpence have been graded fully RD by PCGS.

PCGS# 921638. NGC ID: F7J4.

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From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from Thomas Elder's 40th sale of April 1910, lot 313; F.C.C. Boyd Collection; our (Stack's) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part VII, January 2005, lot 70.