Significant
examples:
PCGS AU-55 (illustrated
above). Ex - Paul Arthur Norris - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins
& Collectibles, Inc.'s "Pre-Long Beach Sale", September 23
& 24, 2002, Lot 19, illustrated, where it was described as follows:
"PCGS graded AU-55. A rare silver example of this important
Colonial issue, the surfaces are pleasing and smooth save for some
minute granularity at the centers, probably as struck. No handling marks
worthy of note, and this is likely one of the finest examples extant in
silver. One minor toning streak through the harp to the King, otherwise
a dark silvery gray color. Fairly well struck, with some details on the
obverse face, less so on the reverse. These coins are notorious for
their weak strikes, and the Garrett collection contained the only finer
examples. PCGS has graded only 2 this high, with none graded higher in
silver, of a total of just 8 examples graded. A foremost rarity in top
grade, and worthy of the finest collection. This is a regular die
issue but was struck in silver, known as an "off metal
striking". These St. Patrick or Newbie's coppers were struck in the
Tower Mint in London around 1641-42. The Catholic troops of Charles I
had to be paid, and once the Long Parliament seized the Tower Mint,
these coins were used to pay the loyalist troops fighting Cromwell's
Protestant forces in the Ulster Rebellion. The tide turned against the
King, and soon Cromwell was in charge, and the new ruling Protestants
suppressed everything Catholic, such as these coins. The St. Patrick
coins went into hiding. Next these coins appeared in Catholic Ireland
and the Isle of Man, where they circulated until they were declared
uncurrent in 1679. Mark Newbie, a Quaker, moved to Ireland and bought up
a great many of these coins knowing that small change would be a
valuable commodity in America, where he was planning to join fellow
Quakers in 1681. Newbie used his considerable political influence to
have these coins made legal tender, forcing their acceptance by the
populace. Newbie died a year after his arrival in the Colonies, but his
coins continued to circulate for many generations to come."
Recent
appearances:
"Fine-15"
(illustrated below). Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s 1999 ANA Signature Sale, August 11-13, 1999, Lot 5007, "6.77
grams", sold for $3,220.00
Notes:
In their April 2000 Fixed Price List, Superior Galleries offered a
Silver St. Patrick Farthing in PCGS AU-50 for $8,450.
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