Coins and Historical Medals

James I (1603-1625), Pattern or Trial Halfpenny or medalet, unsigned, on rectangular copper blank, mm. tun, crown with tun below, beati pacifici, rev. hoc opvs dei around thistle and rose dimidiated, 4.19g/1h (N 2139). Very fine and much as made, extremely rare £300-500

Provenance: 'Gregory' Collection, Part II, Baldwin Auction 47, 25 September 2006, lot 334.

These and similar pieces listed by J.J. North were not included by C.W. Peck in his BMC as the latter could find no compelling evidence to merit their inclusion as coins. The tun mm. (1615-16) may offer a clue as to when the pieces were made