The Virginia half-penny of 1733

Courtesy of https://coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/ColCoinIntros/VA-halfd.intro.html

As a child I had heard about the colonial era Virginia half-penny, but never really did any research on the subject or had seen a real one up close (reproductions abound at the usual tourist traps and shops at Colonial Williamsburg). That was until this past Christmas when my wife surprised me with one as a present. Thank you Sweetie! This means a lot to an old Virginia Boy.

I don't have a way of shooting a good close up of mine but this image from the Special Collections Department at the University of Notre Dame, IN looks to be about the same wear quality and color.

From the Notre Dame description: the Virginia charter allowed for the striking of coins as far back as 1609. But the Assembly didn't do so until May 20, 1773, when they authorized a halfpenny to be struck at the Tower Mint in London. The coin was copper at a weight of sixty halfpence to the pound. Five tons (about 670,000 pieces) arrived in New York aboard the ship "Virginia" on February 14, 1774. But were not distributed until written royal permission was obtained about a year later. The Virginia Gazette, printed between March 2-16, announced that the coins were available for exchange either for gold, silver or treasury notes. Just in time for the Revolution breaking out on April 19, 1775. Poor timing!

As you would expect, Virginians hoarded this coin and other hard currencies until the end of the war. And regardless of the King's portrait, they were used extensively during both the Revolutionary and post-war times in Virginia.

High quality versions are available, but they are much too rich for this boy's blood. But it is cool to see how the originals would have looked in March 1775 if you were to have shown up in Williamsburg to make an exchange.

R. Dwayne Lunsford, PhD