Owner Comments:
This piece is a marked upgrade form the PCGS MS-64 example I previously had in my collection. Oddly enough, both of the business (i.e., currency) strike specimens I have owned were nicely toned. Given their relative availability I tend to hold out for the nicest example that I can find without much fear of waiting an extended period of time before another comes up for sale. This is the most affordable of the Irish coins in this set. As such, it makes for a good starting point for someone wanting to pursue the Irish copper struck at the Soho Mint.
Obverse: George III faces right, his head adorned with a wreath of 9 leaves, and three berries tied behind his neck with a riband of 1 bow and one loose end that flows out to the left and points down. The curls of his hair rest behind the neck and on both shoulders. A brooch of 6 beaded jewels catches the drapery on the right shoulder. The lowest fold of the drapery is plain. The legend which is contained within a thin raised rim and beaded border and reads as follows: GEORGIUS III · D: G · REX. all evenly spaced. This example has numerous die cracks. The most notable of which can be found immediately below the bust. A small groups of flaws arise in front of George’s chin and neck giving the King the appearance of a larger large, and singular unruly beard hair. The underlying mahogany brown luster is strong and uninterrupted by any contact marks, which serves to further enhance the deep fluorescent blue tone.
Reverse: The reverse portrays a crowned harp with nine strings. The left side of the harp consists of a half-clad woman; her lower half is adorned with what I describe at a mermaid-like fin. Her top half is exposed with her arms depicted as wings that make up the top part of the harp where the crown rests. The bottom band of the crown is decorated with a pattern of precious stones that appears as the following: (
· · ● · · ● · · ● · ·). The top of the crown consists of two bridges, one on the left and on the right, which convene at the top center of the cross located on the top middle of the band just described. Both bridges are decorated with eight beads resting upon a curved bar. The inner ring of the crown is slightly textured. Note the design of the right arm of the harp; this becomes less elegant as the denomination decreases. The legend reads as follows: HIBERNIA. with the date 1806 appearing below the primary device. All of which is contained within a thin raised rim and beaded borders. The chocolate brown reflective fields are blemish-free with the same deep florescent blue tone found on the obverse.
Edge: Engrailed
Notes: As I alluded to earlier, the proof versions of this coin come up for sale very frequently. In most cases they are well preserved and have a hint of attractive toning, which is markedly absent on the business strike examples. This particular piece has developed a nice deep blue tone that blends in well with the otherwise even brown fields. Although this is an upgrade from my prior example, I sincerely doubt that a more deserving specimen will come to light. This is truly a spectacular coin in a remarkably high grade. The current specimen is a “Top Pop” at both NGC and PCGS. NGC record two others grading MS-66 BN with two other MS-66 examples recorded at PCGS.