Skidmore, Copper Halfpenny Mule, c1795 (D&H Northumberland 19)

Skidmore, Copper Halfpenny Mule, c1795 (D&H Northumberland 19) obv A man in a barge sailing. Around the perimeter * COALY X TYNE * Ex: 1795 ; rev An inscription in three lines THOS. SPENCE Sir THOS. MORE THOS. PAINE Around the perimeter * NOTED ADVOCATES FOR THE RIGHTS OF MAN *; edge SPENCE X DEALER X IN X COINS X LONDON X (Conder 271; 67, , Atkins 160; 19, D&H Northumberland 19)

The Newcastle Keel, or Coaly Tyne, die failed soon after it was put in use, and there are very few known examples of its perfect state. All of those are paired with Spence’s Slopseller Die (D&H Northumberland 4). After the die failed it was muled with six other dies - either by Spence or, more likely, by Skidmore - and all quite rare. There are no known interim states.

Typical die flaw; the reverse from a rusted die. Near gem, faded red and brown uncirculated. Rare.