Undated (ca. 1652-1674) St. Patrick Farthing. Martin 4i.1-Gj.1, W-11500. Rarity-7-. Copper. Sea Beasts Below King, Stars in Legend. AU-50 (PCGS).

95.7 grains. Nice chocolate-brown, mostly smooth with some central pitting and fine granularity. Struck on a hefty planchet that allows for a wealth of detail, with the high relief obverse showing personality in the king's face. The splash is small and subtle, inside the crown. Obverse well centered, reverse a bit off center to 4 o'clock with bold denticles from 8 to 12 o'clock. John Griffee knew of seven examples; the 2018 Martin census records nine, showing that this die pairing is retaining its elusiveness. This one appears to be the finest, and by a substantial margin.

PCGS# 915247. NGC ID: AUAR.

From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our sale of the Ted L. Craige Collection, November 2012 Baltimore Auction, lot 6171. Both the obverse and reverse are plated in the 2018 Martin reference on St. Patrick coinage, pp. 176 and 363, respectively.