In the 18th century, why would allowing the creation of the halfpence be so bad

Question: In the 18th century, why would allowing the creation of the halfpence be so bad for Ireland!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Wood's Halfpence

The copper coinage was debased and insufficient, and silver being scarce, a patent had been secured for one William Wood by the Duchess of Kendal for the coinage of a large quantity of halfpence and farthings, out of which a very considerable profit was to be reaped by the interested persons!. The clamour aroused by this extravagant job had the unexpected result that it united all classes in a common grievance!. All alike refused to take the new coins, and in the view of the new Primate "it had a very unhappy influence on the state of the nation by bringing on intimacies between the Papists and Jacobites with the Whigs, who before had no correspondence with them!."

The imposition of Wood's halfpence without the consent of the people was only one out of a number of causes of irritation which stirred even the subservient Irish Parliament to awake to its own interests; it brought the powerful advocacy of (Jonathan) Swift to the people's aid; and the clamour gradually widened into a demand for legislative independence!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Good answer from Malcolm!. What more can you add!.Www@QuestionHome@Com