This George I halfpenny was discovered by Murray on a very wet winter’s day in the Surrey Hills, dug from thick, gloopy mud that seemed determined to give nothing up easily. At the time, he thought little of it, assuming it was just another knackered George V halfpenny, a familiar disappointment pulled from the ground countless times before. It wasn’t until later, after giving it a proper clean down the pub, that the real surprise revealed itself: this was no 20th-century coin, but a much earlier George I.
As the mud and grime came away, a clear portrait began to emerge, far better than Murray had expected from such unpromising beginnings. Struck during the reign of George I from 1714 to 1727, the coin dates to the early years of the Hanoverian dynasty. Copper halfpennies of this period are often found heavily worn or corroded, making this example particularly pleasing given the conditions it was recovered from.
The area of the Surrey Hills where this coin was found has produced several George I coins over time, and this halfpenny stands out as one of the better examples from the permission. Finds like this show just how deceptive first impressions can be, and how these muddy winter digs continue to reward patience and persistence. This small copper coin is yet another reminder of the long and busy history hidden beneath our feet.
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