© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
½ Penny Kent - Dover / W. Pitt
1794 year| Copper | 9.12 g | 29 mm |
| Issuer | United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1794 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Conder tokens (1787-1797) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 9.12 g |
| Diameter | 29 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#56066 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 86% |
Reverse
Halved shield of arms of Dover figuring St Martin at left and a sailboat et right, below date, legend around
Script: Latin
Lettering:
CINQUE PORTS TOKEN PAYABLE AT DOVER :
1794
Engraver: Dixon
Edge
Inscripted and engrailed
NOTE: varieties exist
Lettering: AT HORN'S LIBRARY
Comment
John Horn was a freeholder with a business as a stationer and perfumer. He was also the proprietor of the Apollo circulating library and Public Reading Room at King’s Street, in the market place, Dover. William Pitt was appointed Constable of Dover and Warden of the Cinque Ports by Patent on 18th August 1792.The coat of arms of Dover used to be a simple ship, but was combined with St Martin figure and occasionally the Cinque Ports symbols (combination of ships and lions). Different combinations of those 3 elements can be found.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Token ½ Penny (Kent - Dover / W. Pitt) 1794 from United Kingdom is that it was issued during a time of severe coinage shortages in England, particularly in the southeastern counties of Kent and Sussex. To address this issue, local merchants and traders began issuing their own tokens, like this one, which were accepted as currency by the community. This coin is a rare example of a token that has survived to this day, providing a unique glimpse into the economic and social history of the time.
