MS64 RB 1929 United Kingdom/ Lundy Island/ Martin Coles Harman 1/2 Puffin

These are the original coin from 1929 and not the restrike of 1965.

Martin Coles Harman (1885 – 5 December 1954) was an English businessman who, in 1925, bought the island of Lundy and proclaimed himself King. He later issued an independent Lundy currency of half Puffin and one Puffin coins, which were nominally equivalent to the British halfpenny and penny. This resulted in his prosecution by UK authorities for issuing illegal coinage under the Coinage Act 1870. He was found guilty in 1931, and was fined £5 with fifteen guineas (£15 15s) expenses. The coins were withdrawn and have since become collectors' items.