Two Lepta 1819, Coin from Ionian Islands - detailed information

Two Lepta 1819, Coin from Ionian Islands (demonetised 1864)
CoinTwo Lepta 1819

The United States of the Ionian Islands was formed on 14 November 1815 and was made up of seven principal islands: Corfu, Cephalonia, Zante, Santa Maura, Ithaca, Cerigo and Paxo. These islands are represented by the seven arrows held by the winged lion of St. Mark (a Venetian symbol reflecting the Venetian control of the islands from 1401 until 1797).

Initially the Obol was subdivided into four Lepta, so the first coins of two Lepta are listed in some sources as a "Half Obol" or "Farthing" (one obol being equivalent to an English halfpenny, half of that was equal to a farthing).

Coins were minted at the Royal Mint in London and, like the rest of the coinage with the exception of the 30 Lepta coins, do not indicate the denomination in any way.

On some coins there is a dot after the date and on some there isn't. However, this doesn't seem to be a mint mark. According to Remick's Guide and Catalogue of British Commonwealth Coins, some of the Ionian coinage was struck at the Ralph Heaton and Sons mint in Birmingham, but there is no indication which. The Greek Wikipedia entry on Ionian coinage only shows Birmingham one Obol (five Lepta) coins.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage9,461,760 (9.5 million)
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Obverse
Ionian Islands / Two Lepta 1819 - obverse photo

Winged lion of St. Mark facing to left holding Bible and seven arrows; below, the date 1819. (with a dot after); around above, ΙΟΝΙΚΟΝ ΚΡΑΤΟΣ (Ionian State, in Greek).

Obverse Inscription ΙΟΝΙΚΟΝ ΚΡΑΤΟΣ 1819.
Reverse
Ionian Islands / Two Lepta 1819 - reverse photo

Figure of Britannia seated facing left with shield and trident; above, BRITANNIA.

Reverse Inscription BRITANNIA
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

Listed as "Farthing" or "2 1/2 Oboli" in Atkins 1889. Atkins also lists a bronze proof, not mentioned elsewhere.

Mintage includes the Two Lepta (Half Obol) coins minted in 1820 too.

Two Lepta 1819: Known varieties
Variety Proof
Mintage Issued: unknown
Two Lepta 1819: References to Information Used
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Two Lepta 1819: Details
CountryIonian Islands
CurrencyIonian Obol
Coin TypeTwo Lepta
Issued1819
ReverseBritannia, Seated
Face Value2 (x Lepton)
Total Mintage9,461,760 (9.5 million)
CurrentNo; demonetised 1864
MaterialCopper
DesignerWilliam Wyon
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
Size21.8000 mm
Mass4.7200 g
OCC IDJWMR-AOQP-CMGZ-EYPL
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Two Lepta 1819: Photos
ImageDetails
Two Lepta 1819: Photo Ionian Islands 1819 2 Lepta / thumbnail Ionian Islands 1819 2 Lepta
Copyright: smarty_marty24
Source
Two Lepta 1819: Photo Ionian Islands 1819 2 Lepta / thumbnail Ionian Islands 1819 2 Lepta
Copyright: smarty_marty24
Source
Two Lepta 1819: Photo Coin - 2 Lepta, Ionian Islands, Greece, 1819 / thumbnail Coin - 2 Lepta, Ionian Islands, Greece, 1819
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source
Two Lepta 1819: Photo Coin - 2 Lepta, Ionian Islands, Greece, 1819 / thumbnail Coin - 2 Lepta, Ionian Islands, Greece, 1819
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Source
Two Lepta 1819: Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsIonian Islands / British Administration KM# 31