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COIN
Unique ID: LON-0EB7D4
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A post medieval tin halfpenny of James II dating between AD1685-1687. The obverse depicts a laureate and cuirassed bust of the king in profile facign right. The inscription reads "IACOBVS.SECVNDVS". The reverse depicts a seated Britannia and the inscription reads "BRITANNIA".
The coin has a central square perforation that would have been filled with a copper alloy plug, which is missing. http://www.coins-of-the-uk.co.uk/farth.html: "In 1684 the farthing was issued in tin with a copper plug in the centre.[...] These are scarce coins in as good condition as that illustrated because of tin disease. This is caused by the fact that below 13.2°C the metallic form or allotrope of tin tends to turn into the non-metallic form which appears as a grey powder. Also, tin is soft and wears readily. Tin was chosen to bolster the tin mining industry, and the bimetallic form was intended to discourage forgery (but failed in its purpose)."
Parallels can be found on the PAS database: LANCUM-2CD3D0, SUR-A82417, LEIC-68C2D3 and LEIC-68DCF4
Dimensions: diameter: 30.11 mm; weight: 10.26g.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1685
Date to: Circa AD 1687
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Weight: 10.26 g
Diameter: 30.11 mm
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Tin or tin alloy
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Incomplete
Coin data (numismatics)
Denomination: Halfpenny
Ruler/issuer: James II of England
Mint or issue place: London
Category: Modern
Type: Halfpenny (tin): James II (S 3419)
Obverse description: A laureate and cuirassed bust of the king in profile facing right
Obverse inscription: IACOBVS SECVNDVS
Reverse description: A seated Britannia.
Reverse inscription: BRITANNIA
Die axis measurement: 6 o'clock
Coin references
No coin references available.
Spatial metadata
Region: London (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Greater London Authority (Greater London Authority)
District: Southwark (London Borough)
Parish or ward: Rotherhithe (London Borough Ward)
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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