Date: c. 1649-1672

Richard Greenwood’s token penny (Dublin)

Description:

Richard Greenwood’s penny token is one of my favourite designs from this series because the obverse design is tantalisingly close to that of the so-called St Patrick’s Farthing – first minted in Dublin and then later minted in the American Colonies – both by persons unknown. Two types are known – small (thought to be a farthing) and large (thought to be a halfpenny) – the smaller of the two St Patrick’s Coinage is the one illustrated below for comparison.

The obverse of Richard Greenwood’s token is commonly described as “St. Patrick cursing the vipers” whereas the St Patrick’s farthing shows another version of Saint Patrick (dressed in bishop’s garments) wearing a mitre and holding a double-cross crozier. On both coin designs St Patrick is depicted dispelling the serpents from Ireland that are portrayed as various aquatic beasts, some are fabulous. In the background of both coins is purportedly St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. Could these two coins have shared the same die maker in Dublin, or Chester?

Since there are no dates on these coins, it is difficult to ascertain precisely when they were minted.

• Proposed dates for these coins have been 1641–1642; 1646–1660; 1667–1669; 1672–1674 and/or as late as 1688–1690 (during the short reign of King James II).

One theory is that the tokens were minted in Dublin around the period 1674-1675 – an unlikely scenario given that the king had recently (1672 and 1674) issued proclamations forbidding the production of ‘unofficial’ tokens

This theory is based on the fact that a single smaller size coin was found in a hoard of 273 coins recovered from the yacht Mary which sank on March 24, 1675, on its way from Dublin to Chester. From this it is certain the production of these ‘smaller’ halfpenny coins date to at least 1675. I would be of the opinion that this coin was minted before the proclamation of 1672 (Making Current the Royal Farthings and Halfpennys and Forbidding the Use of All Others).

• John N. Lupia (in his article in the C4 Newsletter) suggests
  • that the small issue was minted 1646–1660 (while Charles II was in exile)
  • and the larger from 1688–1690 (during the reign of James II)

Richard Greenwood’s token

• Weight 2.84g
• Ref: W.333
• Very Fine (VF)
• Scarce

Obverse:

• Centre design:
  • St. Patrick cursing the vipers.
• Legend:
  • “RICHARD . GREENWOOD . MA”

Reverse:

• Centre design:
  • Initials & denom “R . G. 1D.”
•  Legend:
  • “HIGH . STRET . DVBLIN”

Further Reading:

• O’Brien Coin Guide: The Proliferation of Unofficial Irish ‘Farthing Tokens’ in the 17th Century
• O’Brien Coin Guide: The ‘Anonymous’ St Patrick’s Halfpennies
• Charles II
  • Blog Post – Proclamation of Charles II, 1661 (prohibiting the issue and use of brass of tokens)
  • Blog Post – Proclamation of Charles II, 1672 (making current Royal Farthings and Halfpennys)
  • Blog Post – Proclamation of Charles II, 1674 (prohibiting tokens of brass with private stamps)

• O’Brien Coin Guide: 17th C Tradesmens’ Tokens of Dublin (78)
  • O’Brien Coin Guide: The Trade Token of Henry Bollardt, Apothecary (Dublin, 1654)