1747 1747' 1/2P Machin's Mills Half Penny

Coin Details

Description

Carrying the remarkably early date of 1747 — four decades before the mint's actual operation — this Machin's Mills copper halfpenny represents one of the most aggressively backdated issues from Thomas Machin's private mint near Newburgh, New York. Cataloged by Vlack as variety 1-47A and listed as Whitman 7600, the piece imitates a George II-era British halfpenny, as the 1747 date falls within George II's reign (1727-1760) rather than the George III period (1760-1820) copied by most Machin's Mills products. This extreme backdating would have made the coin appear to be a well-worn colonial-era import that had circulated for nearly half a century — an appearance consistent with many genuine British coppers still in use during the 1780s and 1790s. Struck in copper, the coin weighs approximately 7.5 grams with a 28 mm diameter and plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #445. The rarity notes classify this as very rare and note the unusual early date for Machin's production, confirming that the 1747 date stands out even within a series known for aggressive backdating. The extreme rarity suggests that this particular die saw very limited use, possibly being an early experimental effort or a die that developed problems early in its service life. Collectors prize the 1747-dated Machin's Mills halfpenny precisely because of its audacious backdating — it stretches the chronological fiction further than virtually any other issue in the series.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Unusual early date for Machin's production.

Cross References

Vlack 1-47A; Whitman 7600