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Auction: 20004 - British Coins and Commemorative Medals: Spring Auction - conducted behind CLOSED DOORS
Lot: 313

Commonwealth (1649-60), Halfcrown, a contemporary forgery from false dies, struck in copper alloy, '1656', 9.16g, 6h, m.m. sun (on obv. only), legends carefully executed with attractive serif font, rev. crudely rendered central devices (cf. ESC 436-37; cf. N.2722; cf. S.3215), an intriguing forgery, almost very fine, rare

provenance
DNW, 30 November 2009, lot 82


The inherent gulf in engraving competency between the obverse and reverse die rendering can only lead one to speculate about the circumstances of its production. For instance, is this evidence of die theft from the mint workshop stores? to also account for the spots of die rust seen on the obverse but not reverse, or simply a case of two unscrupulous hands co-ordinating the efforts of a master engraver and his apprentice.

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Sold for
£320

Starting price
£70