OLD COIN FOUND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3904, 7 February 1929, Page 2

OLD COIN FOUND.

An interesting find was made recently during the process of some excavations in Opoho, when a small leather ptirse was discovered about 10 or 12 feet below the surface' (telegraphs “The Post’s” Hunedin . correspondent). Examination of the purse revealed an old coin slightly larger than a, half-.penny. The coin was covered with verdigris, and was rather badly battered, but after it had been cleaned it proved to he of great interest. The metal from which it was moulded is practically of ptfre copper. The obverse side bears the head of George 111., the face being turned in the same direction as that of King Edward on pennies that are still current. The neck is bare, and a garland of leaves is entwined round the head. Extending for practically half the distance round the coin is the inscription “Georgius IH.” The re\erse side bears a harp of Erin, which is very beautifully engraved, the female figure which constitutes one of the arms .of the harp being of particularly fine workmanship. There is an inscription round the top of this face of the coin, but it has been partly obscured by the mark of some hard instrument. It is, however, quite possible to decipher the word “Hibernia,” the letters H, B, E, R, and N being quite recognisable. The coin is ' dated 1769. There is no indication on the coin which could give an idea of its value, but presumably it is a halfpenny. It recalls the days in the"early part of the eighteenth century when the British Government granted a to William Wood for the issue of a copper coinage for Ireland. The coinage stirred up great feeling in both countries, and after a passionate outburst in Ireland, led by the powerful writings of Dean ,S.wift, the patent was revoked about 1724.