Wood’s Halfpence
.A penny coined by William Wood, to whom George I. granted letters patent for the purpose. (See Drapier’s Letters.).
“Sir Walter’s [Scott] real belief in Scotch onepound notes may be advantageously contrasted with Swift’s forced frenzy about Wood’s half-pence, more especially as Swift really did understand the defects of Wood’s scheme, and Sir Walter was absolutely ignorant of the currency controversy in which he engaged.”—The Times.
