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Question: What do each of
the symbols represent within the four quadrants on the reverse shield of the
1773 Virginia halfpenny. I read that it was the coat of arms of Virginia, but I
don’t know what each individual symbol represents. I think the one in the lower
left is Hibernia for Ireland and the upper right might represent France, but I
can’t even guess on the other two. Can you clarify?
--B.W.
Answer:
The reverse arms are actually
that of George III, who had jurisdiction over Virginia in 1773. At the upper
right, the designation is that of France. The upper left represents Scotland;
the lower right is Hannover (a German princely state and seat of the
Hannoverian dynasty); and the lower left is, indeed, Ireland.
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