From the mid-1780s Matthew Boulton hoped to win a contract from the British government to make copper halfpennies and farthings. This is one of the 'pattern' halfpennies that he minted at that time. (A pattern is a piece struck with designs that are being considered for a coin, but that in the end are never actually used). These particular designs were engraved by Jean-Pierre Droz, a Swiss engraver who worked for Boulton from 1788 to 1791.