Coin
½ Penny - George III (1776) — Ireland
Ireland • 1776 • Sp# 6614, KM# 140
Overview
A copper ½ Penny coin of Ireland, minted in 1776 under George III. Featuring a bust facing right on the obverse and a Gaelic harp on the reverse. It has a weight of 9.3 grams and a plain edge.
Specifications
- Country
- Ireland
- Year
- 1776
- Composition
- Copper
- Weight
- 9.3 g
- Diameter
- 28 mm
- Thickness
- 6 mm
- Mint
- Royal Mint (Tower of London), United Kingdom (1279-1810)
- Shape
- Round
- References
- Sp# 6614, KM# 140
- Issuer
- Ireland
Design details
Obverse
Bust facing right NOTE: Type 3 with long hair bust Script: Latin Lettering: GEORGIVS · III · REX · Translation: King George III
Reverse
Cláirseach (or Gaelic harp) Script: Latin Lettering: HIBERNIA· 17 75 Translation: Ireland 1775
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.
- Struck at: Royal Mint (Tower of London), United Kingdom (1279-1810). Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
- Catalogue reference: Listed as
Sp# 6614, KM# 140. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.
Curator Insights
Historical context
During the mid-to-late 18th century, Ireland maintained a separate currency system from Great Britain, where the Irish pound was valued slightly lower than the pound sterling. These copper issues were struck during the American Revolutionary War period to address a chronic shortage of small change in the Irish economy. The 1776 issue represents a continuation of the regal series authorized by the British Crown to facilitate trade within the Kingdom of Ireland.
Design heritage
The obverse features the Type 3 bust of King George III, characterized by a laureate portrait with long hair flowing down the neck. The reverse displays the Cláirseach, or Gaelic harp, crown-topped as a symbol of the Kingdom of Ireland under British rule. The legends are rendered in simple Latin, identifying the monarch and the territory of issuance.
Varieties and technical notes
This copper coinage was produced with a plain edge and a round shape at the Royal Mint in London. Collectors should pay close attention to the hair detail on the obverse bust and the positioning of the dates relative to the harp strings. As no specific 1776 varieties are uniquely documented, inspection for common period errors like minor planchet flaws or offset strikes is recommended.
Survival and modern availability
Large quantities of copper halfpennies were struck between 1774 and 1782, though many suffered from heavy circulation or environmental damage due to the reactive nature of copper. While not technically demonetized according to the data provided, these coins were largely superseded by the 1826 currency unification between Ireland and Great Britain. High-grade specimens showing original mint luster or sharp hair detail are significantly scarcer than worn examples.
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Explore more
Browse more items in the full catalog or view Ireland in the country guide.