Coin
½ Penny - George III short bust type (1769) — Ireland
Ireland • 1769 • Sp# 6612, KM# 137
Overview
A copper ½ Penny coin from Ireland, issued during the reign of King George III. The obverse features a short bust of George III facing right, while the reverse depicts a crowned harp dividing the date. The coin is composed of copper, features a plain edge, and measures 28.2 mm in diameter.
Specifications
- Country
- Ireland
- Year
- 1769
- Composition
- Copper
- Weight
- 7.4 g
- Diameter
- 28.2 mm
- Thickness
- 1.8 mm
- Shape
- Round
- References
- Sp# 6612, KM# 137
- Issuer
- Ireland
Design details
Obverse
Bust of George III facing right. Script: Latin Lettering: GEORGIVS . III . REX. Unabridged legend: Georgivs III rex Translation: King George III
Reverse
Crowned Harp divides date, legend around. Script: Latin Lettering: HIBERNIA 17 66 Unabridged legend: Hibernia Translation: Ireland
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# 6612, KM# 137. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.
Curator Insights
Historical context
During the reign of George III, Irish coinage was characterized by a distinct lack of local production, with issues often produced at the Tower Mint in London specifically for Ireland. The 1769 halfpenny reflects the ongoing economic relationship where the Irish Pound remained valued lower than its British counterpart, requiring separate diagnostic coinage. This short bust type represents one of the final issues before a significant multi-decade hiatus in Irish copper production.
Design heritage
The obverse features a right-facing portrait of George III commonly referred to by collectors as the 'short bust' due to the truncation of the king's neck. The reverse displays the traditional Irish Hibernia motif, depicted here as a crowned harp, which served as the primary heraldic symbol for the Kingdom of Ireland. The legend 'HIBERNIA' and the split date frame the central image, maintaining a design continuity that had existed for Ireland since the seventeenth century.
Varieties and technical notes
This copper issue was produced with a plain edge and a standard round shape of approximately 28.2 millimeters. Collectors should inspect the alignment of the date numerals around the harp, as slight spacing variations are common due to hand-punched dies of the 18th century. Unlike proofs, circulation strikes typically exhibit softer details in the King's hair and the harp strings.
Survival and modern availability
Total mintage figures for the 1769 issue remain undocumented, making modern availability dependent on surviving circulation stocks. While many examples were lost through heavy commerce or later melted during the currency unification of 1826, copper specimens remain obtainable in lower technical grades. High-grade examples with original red luster are exceptionally scarce due to the lack of protective storage standards during the Georgian era.
Related pieces
More from Ireland
Other ½ Penny - George III short bust type issues
Explore more
Browse more items in the full catalog or view Ireland in the country guide.