US Rosa Americana Coinage (Fakes are possible) 1722 to 1724

That's King George I of England on the front of this coin, and Rosa Americana, Utile Dulci (American rose, useful and pleasant) on the back.

These are coins that were issued as early coinage to be used in the American colonies, but the colonists did not like them and refused to use them. Today they are sought as collectibles and come under the broad heading of 'US Colonial Coins' which are usually quite expensive when in decent condition. As always, be cognizant of fakes. See below.

The Rosa coinage was issued in three denominations: half penny, penny, and twopence. A crowned rose appears on some of the designs. There is a good page about these coins over at CoinAuctionsHelp.com.

It is not always easy to tell precisely what type of rosa coin you have. If you like, start and e-mail exchange with CoinQuest and we may be able to help if you can send pictures. Typical catalog values run like this:

HALF PENNY (22 mm diameter)
worn: $150 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $400
well preserved: $1000
half pennies with VTILE DVLCI instead of UTILE DULCI catalog at $4000 in average circulated condition
half pennies dated 1723 with a plain rose (not a crowned rose) catalog at $3500 in average circulated

PENNY (26 mm diameter)
worn: $150 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $500
well preserved: $900
pennies dated 1722 with GEORGIVS instead of GEORGIUS catalog at $12000 in average circulated

TWOPENCE (33 mm diameter)
worn: $200 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $600
well preserved: $1200

This is a valuable coin, so fakes are sure to show up from time to time. The image below compares a genuine coin with a crude counterfeit.

The biggest noticeable difference between the real and fake coins is the mushy, un-natural appearance of the fake's surfaces. This is a common characteristic of cheap fakes. If the crooks have plenty of money to make high quality fakes, such differences are not noticeable except by experienced professionals. Never buy and expensive coin from someone you do not implicitly trust.
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