1760 Colonial Hibernia Voce Populi Half Penny - No P Nelson 4 - PCGS AU53

• PCGS population report of only 24

• Struck at the Philadelphia Mint

• Half Penny over 160 Years Old

The "Voce Populi" coins, dated 1760, were copper tokens issued in Ireland during a period when official small coinage was scarce. These coins are attributed to a button maker named Roche in Dublin, who minted them as substitutes for official Irish halfpence and farthings. The term "Voce Populi," meaning "By the voice of the people," appears on the obverse alongside a bust of a laurel-crowned figure, symbolizing popular representation. The reverse features a seated Hibernia holding a harp, with "Hibernia" inscribed above.

These coins were produced in various denominations and designs, often underweight compared to official currency. Their irregular shapes and differing die varieties suggest that multiple mints or producers might have been involved. Though primarily circulated in Ireland, some coins eventually found their way to early American colonies, where they were occasionally used but had no significant connection to colonial economies.

The Voce Populi coins are collectible today, valued for their historical context and design rarity, with some varieties being exceptionally scarce. For example, Zelinka documented multiple die combinations and unique features among the coins, enhancing their appeal to numismatists