St. Patrick Halfpenny Coinage 1674-1675
(Mark Newby Coinage-1681)
Originally minted for use in Ireland, Mark Newby who immigrated to West New Jersey in 1681 brought with him a large supply of these coins
In 1682 the General Assembly of West New Jersey made the coins legal tender allowing them to circulate as small change at the rate of a halfpenny replacing the standard payment
with wampum. Newby as a member of the West Jersey Legislature influenced this act.
Newby died a year later, and his estate included roughly 10,800 coins. These coins filled an important need for commerce and remained in circulation throughout the colonial period.