It has been declared by some to be" the Washington Cent, but the probability is that it is a token manufactured at the time in England by some private speculator, and sent for circulation to America, and that the portrait of Washington, (which is very well executed,) was selected to give it greater currency. It is mentioned by Felt, Mass. Currency, p. 252, who adds that it is not mentioned in the Journals of Congress.

PLdTE 11.

THE ROSA AMERICANA COINS.

The four engrav^ings on this plate are 1° o. farthing; 2" and 3° a half penny, of different dates; 4° a penny. On the last, the

Device, is a laurelled Head of George I.

Legend, Georgius D: G: Mag: Bri: Fra: et Hib: Rex.

Reverse, a large double Rose, surmounted by a crown.

Legend, Rosa Americana, 1723. Utile Dulci.

The inscription on the farthing is merely, Georgius D. G. Rex; on the Reverse, Rosa Ameri. Utile Dulci, 1722. On the half penny the inscription is, Georgius. Dei. Gratia. Rex. The reverse of the farthing and half penny of 1722 wants the crown, which was added in the following year.

These specimens of antient colonial currency, belong to the collection of the Albany Institute. There is a notice in 3 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. vii., 282, 283, of the half penny and penny (the latter of 1722) by Dr. Mease, of Philadelphia, who conjectures, though erroneously, that they were probably coins of the Old Thirteen Colonies.

No such coin as tliis was struck by any of the old colonies. Its history, though not much known, is very curious and par-