1723 Hibernia Farthing, PCGS MS65 CAC. Silvered. Breen-173. Rare Colonial Pattern. Lustrous, toned gem.  This lovely 1723 Hibernia Silver Farthing Pattern (Breen-173) coin shows light, lustrous devices and contrasting darker fields. Hints of rose and light green toning are seen on both sides. The proof-like surfaces are remarkably clean and free of distractions one might usually find, which is in keeping with the gem grade that is confirmed by the CAC sticker. One would think that this exceptional coin that has survived for so long would be impossible to obtain in such a high state of preservation. The usually weak centers often seen on coins of this issue are strong and bold. Slight weakness is seen on the dentils of the reverse, more so on the obverse. The coin shows a laureate profile bust of King George facing right. The inscription GEORGIUS DEI GRATIA REX, which means George, King by the grace of God, is separated by dots and surrounds the portrait. The reverse shows a sitting goddess, Hibernia, another name for Ireland, facing left. Her left hand rests on an angel-harp a leaf is held in her right. The inscription HIBERNIA and the date are above. Dots are before and after the date.

In 1722 William Wood received a patent to make coinage for the American Colonies and Ireland. His coinage was made from an alloy called “bath” metal. It was rejected by the Irish people because the King had not consulted with the Irish Parliament before it was authorized. Perceived as an insult, the coinage was spurned. Both houses of the Irish Parliament petitioned the King to withdraw it. Coinage was suspended in March of 1723. Although unaware of the suspension, satirist and author of “Gulliver’s Travels,” Jonathan Swift wrote “The Drapier’s Letters,” in which he ridiculed William Wood for making an inferior coinage and accused him of bribery and fraud as well. Finally, in 1725 Wood gave up his patent and accepted a pension for three years. In 1737 all of William Wood’s coins were withdrawn from circulation and bought for their bullion value. They were then shipped to the American Colonies where they remained in circulation until the Civil War. Examples have been found in parts of New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

In addition to farthings, Wood also struck halfpennies. All were dated 1722, 1723, or 1724. The first type showed a reverse with the harp on the left of the goddess. The present coin is the second design type, which shows the harp on the right. Another variety of farthing abbreviated the obverse inscription D.G.REX.

The population reports of both major grading services show only three in silver farthings MS65 with none finer. There are 23 other examples of this coin which have been certified by both services.