Coins, Medals and Paper Money of Ireland

James II (1685-1691), Limerick coinage, Halfpenny and ‘Farthing’, both 1691, latter with normal n in hibernia and stop before date (S 6594, 6596) [2]. Fine £100-150

Provenance: First Jean Elsen Auction 89 (Brussels), 9 September 2006, lot 1736.

Current informed thinking has it that the so-called Limerick ‘farthings’, which nominally weigh c. 6-7g, on a par with the halfpence of the same issue (all being overstruck on Gunmoney shillings of various sizes), are not farthings at all, but together with the halfpence represented siege money of uniform value