IRELAND. County Down. Newtonwards. Thomas Fisher. Æ twopence. 5.82 gm. 21.5 mm. Series issued in the 1730s. A kingfisher standing left / I PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND TWO PENCE THOMAS FISHER in eight lines. Davis 40 (R). Withers 40-43 (£250 VF). A decent VF piece struck on a somewhat suboptimal flan.

This is a short and fascinating series, issued on heavy good quality copper flans, early in the 18th century. Most types (only 67 in all including several that vary only in minor detail) are seldom seen. Many I have never seen offered in the more than four decades I have been interested in this attractive series. The kingfisher design is one of the most appealing. (AD)