Coin

½ Penny - George I (1722) — Ireland

Ireland • 1722 • Sp# 6600, KM# 116

½ Penny - George I (1722) — Ireland

Overview

A copper ½ Penny Proof strike coin of Ireland, issued in 1722 under King George I. The obverse features the bust of King George facing right, surrounded by Latin lettering. The reverse depicts a harp facing right. The coin is milled and measures 27 mm in diameter. This specific variant is recognized as a Proof strike.

Specifications

Country
Ireland
Year
1722
Composition
Copper
Diameter
27 mm
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
Sp# 6600, KM# 116
Issuer
Ireland

Design details

Obverse

Bust of King George to the right Script: Latin Lettering: GEORGIUS. DEI. GRATIA. REX.

Reverse

Harp left, face to the right Script: Latin Lettering: .HIBERNIA. 1722.

Collector insights

  • Series context: Part of the Standard circulation coins series — collectors typically assemble full-year date runs, so single years within an established series carry demand beyond raw mintage.
  • Catalogue reference: Listed as Sp# 6600, KM# 116. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

Curator Insights

Historical context

During the reign of George I, a significant shortage of small change in Ireland led the British government to grant a patent to William Wood to produce copper halfpence and farthings. This specific 1722 issue is famously associated with the 'Wood's Halfpence' controversy, which sparked intense political opposition led by Jonathan Swift's Drapier's Letters. The resistance to these coins was rooted in the perceived debasement of the currency and the lack of Irish control over local minting rights.

Design heritage

The obverse features a right-facing laureate bust of King George I, accompanied by the Latin legend denoting him as King by the Grace of God. The reverse displays a harp, the traditional heraldic symbol of Ireland, positioned to the left with a personified face looking right. The year 1722 is inscribed alongside the Latin name for Ireland, HIBERNIA, within the circular field.

Varieties and technical notes

As a milled copper proof, collectors should focus on the quality of the strike and the preservation of the original surfaces. Several distinct reverse types exist for the 1722 series, specifically regarding the placement and style of the harp and Hibernia figure. Examples should be inspected for the 'Harp to Left' variety which distinguishes this early type from the later 1723 and 1724 revisions.

Survival and modern availability

While standard circulation strikes of Wood's coinage were widely rejected and eventually withdrawn for use in the American colonies, proof specimens were produced in much smaller, non-commercial quantities. The survival of these copper proofs is limited by the metal's susceptibility to environmental oxidation and the political recall of the coinage in 1725. High-grade examples are typically sourced from long-standing specialized collections of Anglo-Irish numismatics.

More from Ireland

Other ½ Penny - George I issues

Explore more

Browse more items in the full catalog or view Ireland in the country guide.