This piece has usually been classified as a Sixpence. However, with the English and Irish shields on opposite sides instead of side-by-side, it has more in common with contemporary Farthing patterns, and its thickness and weight (c.128 grains) do not match what might be expected for a Sixpence. Its specific gravity of 10.248 suggests a fineness of about .893 (vs. .925 for sterling), although this discrepancy could be accounted for by Ramage having prepared his own flans. Ramage's thin Halfcrown sized pattern (see lot 23) is often cited as a Shilling because it is too light to circulate as a Halfcrown. The best that can be said for Ramage's Commonwealth patterns is that, except for the thick Halfcrowns (which have three edge varieties), they are enigmatic-- in contrast to Blondeau's pattern Halfcrowns, Shillings and Sixpences with their denominations plainly marked.