Wood’s 1722 – 1724 Hibernia Halfpennies and Farthings
William Wood was a copper and tin mine owner in Ireland. He was able to purchase the Royal Patent granted by King George I in 1722, which allowed him to produce up to 360 tons of copper halfpence and farthings for use in Ireland. Within the patent, he was ordered to produce up to £108,000 worth of halfpennies and farthings. Ireland was formally a separate kingdom in personal union with Great Britain but remained politically subordinate to the English Crown.
Wood first struck a farthing in 1722. The obverse of the coin has a portrait of King George I, facing right. Around the periphery is, in Latin, “GEORGIVS. DEI. GRATIA. REX”, which translates to: “GEORGE, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KING”.
The coins are commonly referred to as “Hibernia” coins because of their reverse design. The reverse of the coin depicts a full-figure of Hibernia (Ireland) facing left, holding a harp, with “HIBERNIA” (IRELAND) and the date.
In 1722, Woods struck at least four different dies varieties of Hibernia Halfpennies that were about the size of a U.S. quarter. The designs were the same as the farthing, only larger in diameter.
In 1723, Woods again struck three types of farthings, including a scarce silver pattern, as well as striking three types of Halfpennies, also including a silver pattern. During the last year, 1724, one farthing and two halfpennies were struck.
Controversy and Protest in Ireland: The Drapier’s Letters
Throughout the Kingdom of Ireland, everyday trade relied heavily on foreign coins, tokens, or barter. English monetary policy frequently subordinated Irish economic interests, and this Royal Patent was a prime example. William Wood’s patent was granted directly by the English Crown without consultation with the Irish Parliament and Irish municipal authorities. Critics argued that the Crown had bypassed the Irish legislature.
The Drapier’s Letters (1724)
A series of pamphlets known as the “Drapier’s Letters” was published by Jonathan Swift, the Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, and was written under the pseudonym “M. B. Drapier.” Swift’s letters argued that the patent was economically harmful and that the copper coinage was potentially debased (i.e., the government/issuing authority reduced a coin’s intrinsic value while circulating at its original face value). In the pamphlet, Swift also argued that Ireland had not consented to the patent and, therefore, the people of Ireland had the right to refuse the coins.
The letters were circulated widely across Ireland, and resistance to the use of Wood’s Hibernia Coinage spread quickly. Eventually, Wood’s coins were effectively boycotted. By 1725, large quantities were returned and melted, though many entered circulation, including in the American colonies. Wood also created coins for circulation in America; Rosa Americana Coinage.
Today, it’s theorized that political resentment likely outweighed the concerns of metal content when these coins were boycotted. Expand your collection today with these historic and controversial farthings and halfpennies, and explore other colonial coins.
