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Auction: 18025 - The Pywell-Phillips Collection of English Milled Silver and Copper Coins
Lot: 114

Charles II (1660-85), Tin Farthing (with copper plug), 1684, nvmmorvm * famvlvs * 1684 * on edge, 5.43g (BMC [Peck] 532; S.3395), edge knock to reverse 5 o'clock, the surfaces exhibiting light general corrosion, otherwise bold, very fine or better, scarce

provenance
Purchased Cooke, December 1996

Unsurprisingly in the years following the first regular issue of Regal copper coinage, dissatisfied mutterings came loudest from native British tin miners. By the early 1680s, in an attempt to bolster their industry in the face steadily falling metal prices, and the gradual realisation that the production of a regular small coinage in tin would render a healthier seignorage to the Crown, it was resolved to produce a second issue of Halfpennies and Farthings in the metal. In December 1684, Royal decree formally sanctioned the issue with a copper plug being added to the new coins to deter counterfeiting and establish public confidence.

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Sold for
£450