These laws had a very obvious loophole, however, as it was only illegal to recreate a coin that was exactly the same as a regal coin.Īs a result, these coins were made ever so slightly different so that they could be regarded as tokens, not currency, and counterfeiters could get away with it. In the years before this, many laws had been passed to attempt to put a halt to counterfeit coins. These coins were originally minted as contemporary counterfeits and produced between 1782-1799. If you account for how much 20 was able to buy you back in the 1800s, it is clear to see just how useful and powerful these coins were in their day. Irish Evasion Halfpennies (1770s to the 1790s) As stated, these coins are particularly interesting because it is unusual for most to see a coin that has a face value higher than 1. However, although one side still displays Hibernia with a harp to the right, on the obverse side of the coin is depicted a man with a wreath along with the motto “Voce populi” (By the voice of the people). The coins are very similar in appearance to the Wood’s collection to the untrained eye. On their final arrival in Dublin in 1762, it is said that many of them were bought up and shipped off to America where they were circulated widely until the Revolutionary War. These coins were quite scarce in Ireland which is believed to be partly due to the death of King George II in 1760. The Irish-American ‘Voce Populi’ Token Coinage of 1760
In fact, between 1771-1773 some 32,000 Irish immigrants moved to America on over a 100 ships sailing from Newry, Derry, Belfast, Portrush and Larne.Īpproximately the same number traveled from ports in Dublin, Cork and Waterford. United States of America coin and banknote values. 1800 US one cent value (penny), draped bust, 80 over 79, second hairstyle. 1800 US one cent value (penny), draped bust, 800 over 798, first hairstyle. 1800 US one cent value (penny), draped bust, normal date. They came to the US through a much smaller flow of Irish immigrants, although a famine in the early 1740s did result in a number of Irish people relocating across the Atlantic. United States coin values - 1792 to present. The coins came in two types: The first shows Hibernia with a harp to the left while the second shows the harp to the right. William Wood’s Irish Coinage for George I (1722-1724)Įnglish copper and tin mine owner William Wood wanted to make a profit from minting coins for Ireland and America and, so, in 1722 he purchased the patent for coining copper money for Ireland – a collection of King George I.