2016 Market Values
The coinage of George II is reasonably easy to find in the lower grades but a substantial premium is paid for higher grade coins – which are not easy to obtain. Last year, we saw steep price increases at auction for proofs and regular issues in Extremely Fine (EF) and Uncirculated grades.
George III, 1760-1820. London Halfpenny 1766
Like all official Irish coinage since the time of William & Mary, the above Irish halfpennies were struck in London by the Royal Mint. George III, however, ordered Irish coins to be struck in other mints – hence, the halfpennies above are known as the London Coinage of George III.
1806 Ireland George III “Soho Coinage” copper farthing, Laureate and draped bust facing right
- 1806 gold proof farthing
- 2 specimens held by The British Museum
- 1 specimen known to be in private hands
In a departure from recent tradition, George II re-formed his coinage and engaged the Soho Mint of Birmingham to strike the new ‘heavy’ copper coinage. The farthings (above) and the halfpennies and pennies (below) are, therefore, known as the Soho Coinage to collectors.
1805 Ireland George III “Soho Coinage” copper halfpenny, Laureate and draped bust facing right
1805 Ireland George III “Soho Coinage” copper penny, Laureate and draped bust facing right
1806 5 Pence Bank of Ireland Token
1813 George III Irish 10 Pence Bank token
George III, Bank of Ireland , 30 pence token, 1808
George III, Bank of Ireland coinage, Six Shillings, 1804, wide initials, first leaf to upright in E in DEI
1796 Castlecomer Colliery token, valued at 5 shillings and 5 pence (over-struck on a Spanish Colonial silver 8 reales ‘donor’ coin)
There are a number of rare pattern for George III but theses are extremely rare and seldom seen at auction, so I have not listed them here.
The Voce Populi tokens – a specialist para-numismatic study group, belonging to both Ireland and Colonial America have been listed separately.
The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes 