(sold for $56.0)

1672, Ireland, Dublin (City). Mic Wilson St. George Butchers Halfpence Token. R!

Mint Year: 1672 Reference: BW-416. RR! Condition: Dark toning, otherwise about XF for type! Denomination: Halfpenny Token - Mic Wilson Co. (Dublin) Diameter: 21mm Weight: 3.69gm Material:Brass

Obverse: St. George on horse killing the dragon below. Legend: HIS HALFPENNY 1672 .

Reverse: Butcher's Arms and crest. Legend: MIC WILSON OF DVBLIN

Bid with confiedence!

These tokens appear to have been used extensively on the Isle-of-Man and were reffered to as Butchers Halfpence. There are many varieties of this token and it is thought to have been counterfeited at the time. Scott's Life of Swift, appendix [xxvii. edit. 1814, states: " There were certain "brass tokens current in the city of Dublin, commonly called "Butchers Halfpence, for the exchanging of which the undertaker who coined them, had given sufficient security to the Lord Mayor and Corporation. But this undertaker privately counterfeited his own halfpence, insomuch that for one of the original stamp, ten or more of the counterfeits were in circulation; and when any one of these were brought to him to be exchanged, he alleged that he was not bound to do so, because they were counterfeit; and having so cunningly managed the matter, that the cheat could not be brought against him. The city lost, perhaps, little less than £1,000 thereby."